Bell & Ross Launches the BR 05 GMT

For the first time, the GMT function debuts in the Bell & Ross BR 05 collection with an increased case size of 41mm.

After enduring the last 18 months as a nation through multiple lockdowns and great waves of uncertainly, it sometimes seems unnatural to envisage a time when we’ll be wearing GMT watches for frequent holidaying or luxury vacations once again. But whether the travel industry returns to a level of normality over the next few months or takes considerably longer, what cannot be argued is the versatility of a GMT watch in today’s modern world. You may associate GMT watches with pilots since the concept was originally intended for use in the cockpit. You may own one because you frequently cross time zones on business. You may wear one because you enjoy the way a GMT watch looks on the wrist – its distinct style – the diversity of a bi-colour bezel maybe? Or that striking arrow-tipped GMT hand. Whatever your reason for owning a GMT watch, the new BR 05 GMT watch is going to make you want to add another one to your collection.

The steel sports watch craze lives on

GMT watches happen to make great travel companions and if there’s one watchmaker out there that can tie in the distinct styling of this tool with strong aviation roots, it’s Bell & Ross. The brand has combined this useful complication with the BR 05 watch that launched just a couple of years ago with a design unapologetically inspired by Gerald Genta’s iconic luxury steel sports watch. The BR 05 had and still does have a very strong sense of manliness about it. It offers the steel sports watch enthusiast an opportunity to enjoy a much-coveted aesthetic at a more affordable price point.

The new BR 05 GMT watch by Bell & Ross is crafted from a clean singular unit of steel and comes on an integrated stainless steel bracelet that beats to the drum of the 1970s. Its unified connection with the wrist comes as a result of each independent link along the bracelet having been crafted by Bell & Ross experts to mould effortlessly to the contours of the wrist for ultimate comfort. The links are both flexible and natural against the skin, forming a folding buckle in satin-brushed steel to match the finish and material of the bracelet and case. Alternatively, the watch is available on a ribbed black rubber strap designed with the same level of attention to detail.

This is the first time that Bell & Ross has implemented the GMT function into the BR 05 range and whether you are on the road, train-hopping, boarding aircraft, killing time in the departure lounge or rushing to make meetings in boardrooms across the other side of the world – this luxury GMT watch from Bell & Ross has come at no better time. The travel industry is itching to get back to normality, and so is Bell & Ross.

A watch for the globe-trotting alpha-male

There is a play of curves and straight lines to be admired in the design of the BR 05 watch. The company is renowned for manufacturing square-shaped instruments – the “circle inside a square” concept to be more precise. The BR 05 watch incorporates the same DNA but with an even more functional and contemporary design. The finishes on the steel case, angular and curved, are all inspired by elements of travel; airport hangars, concrete and metal surfaces, white lights and graphic signs. The automatic movement that sits within this robust housing is wound by a 360° oscillating weight. The BR-CAL.325 movement is self-winding and produces 28,800 vibrations per hour, as well as a 38-hour power reserve whilst off the wrist. Its performance can be admired through a sapphire crystal glass caseback whilst it simultaneously powers a set of central hands around a rich black dial. This surface is executed with a sunray finish to provide a beautiful contrast against the oversized Arabic numerals placed at 12, 6 and 9 o’clock around the hour track, the large and bold stick markers and the central hour and minute hands – all of which have been treated with Super-LumiNova material.

The colours of on-board flight instruments are echoed throughout the design of the Bell & Ross BR 05 GMT watch, namely in the white and black contrasting shades across the dial and the red-coated arrow-tipped central GMT hand. The design of the new Bell & Ross BR 05 GMT is all about clarity and precision. Metal appliques make up the central skeletonised hands, mirroring the principles of airport signalling. The GMT hand works in conjunction with a 24-hour scale on the inner bezel for keeping accurate time for the wearer’s country of origin. If you pay closer attention to this feature, you’ll see that half of the inner bezel is represented in black for nighttime hours – the other in silver for daylight hours. To accommodate these additional features, Bell & Ross has chosen to increase the wrist of the BR 05 GMT watch, upsizing it from its former 40mm to a 41mm diameter.

For more information on the new Bell & Ross BR 05 GMT watch, you can check out the rest of the model’s spec here or call our Jura Watches sales team on 01335 453454

Technical Specifications of the new Bell & Ross BR 05 GMT

• Case: 41mm – satin-finished stainless steel – a circle within a square design – circular dial rim surrounded by screw-adorned square case – 100-meter water resistance – anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass front – sapphire glass caseback
• Dial; Black – white Super-LumiNova Arabic numeral hours and stick markers – red-coated arrow-tipped GMT hand – inner bezel with silver and black (day and night) 24-hour scale – date window at 3 o’clock – Super-LumiNova hour and minute hands
• Movement: BR-CAL.325 – self-winding – based on the Sellita SW300-1 – 25 jewels – 38-hour power reserve – 28,800 v.p.h – hours, minutes, seconds, date, second time zone
• Strap: Satin-brushed – stainless steel – integrated – folding clasp / black ribbed rubber strap
• Price: £4,100 (rubber), £4,500 (bracelet)
• Reference; BR05G-BL-ST