Bell & Ross BR-03 Skeleton: A Watchmaking Trilogy

After 20 years of creativity around the BR-03 collection, Bell & Ross adds a level of sophistication to its icon with the BR-03 Skeleton. This launch is accompanied by the "20 YEARS BOLD" campaign, which chronicles the history of this  iconic  square  watch.  A  concept  watch  with  a  powerful  design  and  subtle  details,  the  new  BR-03  Skeleton  is available in three complementary versions, showcasing Bell & Ross' expertise in skeletonization and luminescence. Whether  in  Black  Ceramic,  Lum  Ceramic,  or  Grey  Steel,  the  BR-03  Skeleton  houses  a  newly  developed  movement specifically designed by Bell & Ross and produced for Bell & Ross.

A Modern Interpretation of Skeletonization

For  many  watch  enthusiasts,  skeletonization  should  be  considered  a  complication  in  its  own  right. This  finishing technique  involves  hollowing  out  and  cutting  components  to  reveal  their  intricate  mechanics.  These  delicate operations  require  precise  craftsmanship,  as  this  "stripping  down"  must  not  compromise  the  intrinsic  technical qualities of the movement. This is why a skeletonized piece is always extraordinary. The three new BR-03 Skeleton models are powered by the same skeleton movement, designed and exclusively manufactured for Bell & Ross. "By skeletonizing our BR-03, one of the pillars of our collections, we have brought an additional watchmaking dimension to  an  everyday  timepiece. We  have  reworked  the  bridges  and  upper  plates  of  the  movement  to  bring  maximum sophistication to the BR-03. To reinforce this concept, we redesigned the entire watch around a specific X-shaped structure, a symbol of sophistication and avant-garde. By enhancing luminescence, we aimed to add an extra level of  horological  sophistication.  By  simultaneously  offering  three  versions  with  very  different  approaches,  we  allow this  watch  to  reinvent  itself,  embracing  three  original  and  innovative  designs,"  explains  Bruno  Belamich,  Creative Director  and  co-founder  of  Bell  &  Ross.  Complementary  yet  unique  in  their  style  and  story,  each  of  these  three watches highlights the brand's creativity and watchmaking expertise. The BR-03 Skeleton trilogy fills a gap in Bell & Ross' professional collection.

A New, Dedicated Movement

The choice of a finely skeletonized movement served as a source of inspiration for Bell & Ross' watchmakers. Their ambition to fully reveal the watch’s mechanics naturally led to the creation of a dedicated movement. Featuring a 54-hour  power  reserve,  the  new  BR-CAL.328  caliber—an  automatic,  three-hand  movement  without  a  date—ensures  the  reliability  and  precision  of  all  three  BR-03  Skeleton  versions. The  upper  bridges  form  an  X  with  their four  double  arms,  each  connecting  to  one  of  the  four  bezel  screws.  Architectural  and  technical,  this  X-shaped design enhances the modernist expressiveness of the three BR-03 Skeleton models.

Three Powerful Interpretations

The three versions of the new BR-03 Skeleton, introduced simultaneously by Bell & Ross, go beyond a mere design exercise  or  dial  animation. This  watchmaking  trilogy  explores  three  complementary  creative  directions: The  first focused  on  transparency,  the  second  transforming  the  professional  watch  into  a  bold  jewel,  and  the  third emphasizing  luminescence.  These  three  variations  showcase  Bell  &  Ross'  skill  in  material  craftsmanship  and creative watch design.

BR-03 Skeleton Black Ceramic: an aeronautical DNA

The BR-03 Skeleton Black Ceramic brings together the concepts of skeletonization and transparency. The dial and movement form a cohesive whole. Heavily inspired by the technical purity and functionality of aviation, this iconic Bell & Ross model— a flagship in the black ceramic version—has been reinvented with skeletonization, a hallmark of  modern  fine  watchmaking.  Black,  a  color  deeply  familiar  to  aviation  and  aerospace  enthusiasts  due  to  its presence  in  cockpit  instruments  and  stealth  aircraft  fuselages,  is  also  closely  linked  to  the  world  of  design. The 41mm  black  ceramic  case  of  the  BR-03  Skeleton  Black  Ceramic  acts  as  a  modernist  frame  for  a  contemporary masterpiece. Constructed from smoked sapphire crystal, the dial features applied black “baignoire style” applique indexes  filled  with  green-emitting  white  Super-LumiNova  (SLN),  fully  revealing  the  X-shaped  skeletonized movement. Legibility remains a priority for Bell & Ross, a brand known for designing professional instruments. This is  ensured  through  instrument-style  hands:  the  hour  and  minute  hands  are  skeletonized  and  filled  with  greenemitting  white  SLN,  while  the  seconds  hand  is  black  with  a  white  tip  for  enhanced  visibility.  For  technical  and aesthetic consistency, the Black Ceramic version comes with a black rubber strap secured by a micro-blasted black PVD-coated steel pin buckle, as well as an additional aviation-inspired black Velcro strap.

BR-03 Skeleton Grey Steel: A Metallic and Mechanical Jewel

With  the  steel  version  of  the  BR-03  Skeleton,  Bell  &  Ross  envisions  a  sports  watch  transforming  into  a contemporary jewel. This instrument reveals its inherent sophistication by exposing the automatic skeletonized BRCAL.328  movement  through  its  open-worked  dial.  The  dial  and  movement  form  a  cohesive  whole.  "The  BR-03 Skeleton  Grey  Steel  is  a  high-tech  jewel. This  horological  machine  is  presented  as  a  sculpture  in  steel.  It  proudly displays  its  precious  and  sophisticated  nature,  as  evidenced  by  numerous  details:  the  polished  and  satin-finished case, the faceted indexes—everything is designed to capture and reflect light. The reflections have been carefully studied. The finely cut patterns on the open-worked dial are faceted and treated with ruthenium for extra brilliance. The  faceting  of  the  skeletonized  dial  also  echoes  that  of  a  stealth  aircraft,  the  ultimate reference  in uncompromising  avant-garde  design.  Entirely  metallic,  this  watch  is  both  a  horological  sculpture  and  a  brutalist machine with a  disruptive design," explains Bruno  Belamich. This more  luxurious version of the  BR-03 Skeleton is limited  to  250  pieces.  It  also  comes  with  two  interchangeable  straps:  a  black  rubber  strap  with  a  polished  and satin-finished steel pin buckle and a black Velcro strap.

BR-03 Skeleton Lum Ceramic: The Surprises of Luminescence

Even  bolder,  the  BR-03  Skeleton  Lum  Ceramic  embraces  a  dual  identity  and  conveys  a  strong  visual  narrative.  A sophisticated  futuristic  watch  by  day  with  its  black  ceramic  case,  it  transforms  into  an  extraordinary  horological piece  at  night,  revealing  its  luminescent  properties.  In  many  ways,  it  could  belong  in  a  sci-fi  film.  Green luminescence,  a  key  readability  feature,  is  also  one  of  Bell  &  Ross'  signature  design  elements. This  visual  design hallmark has been pushed to the extreme, giving birth to the most daring and futuristic of the three BR-03 Skeleton models.  For  this,  the  openworked  black  dial  is  highlighted  with  luminescent  SLN  C3  on  its  edges  and  placed  on  a translucent  smoked  plate  that  tints  the  movement.  "The  neon-like  photoluminescent  effect  allows  us  to  X-ray  the skeletonization, giving it a modernized aesthetic dimension. The skeletonized dial is cut following the contours of the movement’s  bridges,  exposing  blackened  gears  through  the  tinted  sapphire  crystal.  A  green  Super-LumiNova outline traces the cutouts, reminiscent of the illuminated grille of a car. Here, luminescent material is used not just for  optimal  readability—something  we  usually  focus  on  for  professional  watches—but  as  a  decorative  and horological  finishing  element"  details  Bruno  Belamich. This  highly  exclusive  watch  is  limited  to  just  250  pieces, available  only  at  Bell  &  Ross  boutiques  and  via  the  official  website.  Like  the  other  versions,  it  comes  with  two interchangeable straps: with a black rubber strap secured by a micro-blasted black PVD-coated steel pin buckle and a black Velcro strap.