New: Bell & Ross BR 05 GMT White

Bell & Ross adds to their popular BR 05 GMT with a new version with a clean, white dial.

Press Release details with commentary in italics.

New: Bell & Ross BR 05 GMT White

The new Bell & Ross BR 05 GMT White retails for SGD 6,900 in the black rubber strap and SGD 7,700 in the steel bracelet.

Commentary

As noted, this is not a new watch, just a variant with a new dial.

The BR 05 range was introduced in 2019, and the GMT made its appearance in 2019. We covered the versions of the now iconic BR 05 below:

• The collection launched in 2019 in the classic three hands with a 40 mm case.
• In 2020, a chronograph was added in 42 mm diameter. We covered a it in the full review as well as a Day in the Life article.
• In 2021, a first BR 05 GMT with dual time zone appears. Its case measures 41 mm and features a black dial. Its movement animates its 4 central hands.
• Various other variants were released over the last 3 years. And we covered them here.

• And now, in 2022, the BR 05 GMT White with a white dial joins the range. It has four hands, for the hours, minutes, seconds and the second time zone. The GMT indication is displayed via an arrow-shaped hand that reads im- mediately.

This new release is the exact same watch as the original BR 05 released in 2021, with the exception of the opaline white dial. The dial is the interesting feature as it is a metallic white, which is galvanised with a particular texture. This metallic effect is aesthetically similar to the brushed metal case. Bell & Ross retains the red accents for the GMT hand for the second timezone indication. The lume is expected to be as strong as the black dial version. Despite the similarities, both the variants – the black dial and the new white dial have a completely different aesthetic. The movement – BR-CAL.301 is also unchanged.

The original BR 05 GMT with the slick black dial of 2021 was released at a price of SGD 7,500 in the steel bracelet. Though a quick check on the Bell & Ross site reveals that it now lists the price as SGD 7,700 – the same price as the novelty in white.

Release details

The BR 05, created in 2019, is a watch designed to walk the avenues of large cities and their museums. The BR 05 GMT White is a variant, suitable for travelling. Derived from aeronautical on-board instruments, Bell & Ross watches have precision and readability in their DNA. This watch has two strong characteristics: a GMT complication and an opaline white dial. This timepiece is not only practical, with its indication of a dual time zone, it is also attractive, with its great distinction. Pilots, businessmen or globetrotter – all regulars at airport terminals -, are among the brand’s clients. Ideal for international travellers, these pieces find its natural habitat on a flight whether you are travelling to Rio, Nassau or Bamako.’

“The GMT is a common complication in watchmaking. It is one of the most useful functions that provide real practical information. It allows the display of the time of two time zones. In this sense, it fulfils the needs of air travellers”, recalls Bruno Belamich, Artistic Director of Bell & Ross. It gives them the advantage of having the time of their places of departure and arrival simultaneously. “The GMT is a great success with our clients”, says Bruno Belamich. “We are launching this new BR 05 GMT White version, in order to respond to this strong interest.”

On this variant, the second time zone hand completes one revolution of the dial in 24 hours. It displays the time via a 24-hour scale, painted on the flange ring. This element is painted in two different tones: one for the day (between 6am and 6 pm) and the other for the night (between 6 pm and 6 am).

Usually, the traveller chooses the GMT hand to display the time of the departure time zone. Users generally prefer the central hour and minute hand to read the time in the time zone where we are.

The GMT White is powered by the self-winding BR-CAL 325 calibre.

This watch has two strong characteristics: a GMT complication and an opaline white dial. This timepiece is not only practical, with its indication of a dual time zone, it is also attractive, with its great distinction.

The 41 mm case of the BR 05 GMT White is entirely made of steel. Its finishes alternate between polished and satin-brushed. The hour and minute hands, numerals and indexes are covered with photo-luminescent Super-LumiNova. Legibility, a concept dear to Bell & Ross, is therefore guaranteed day and night.

After testing quite a few different shades, we chose the most precious white”, explains Bruno Belamich, the creative director of Bell & Ross,” the choice fell on a metallic white, galvanised with a particular texture”. This metallic effect goes perfectly with the metal case.

The BR 05 GMT White also features red tones. In general, this colour is used to convey important information.

In watchmaking, it often adorns the GMT hands, as is the case here. This red hand indicates a second time zone, displayed on a 24-hour scale with day/night indication.

Bell & Ross BR 05 GMT White Specifications

REF. BR05G-SI-ST

Movement: BR-CAL.301. Automatic mechanical.

Functions: hours, minutes, central seconds, second 24-hour time zone and date. Quick setting of the GMT hand, independently of the hour hand.

Case: 41 mm in width. 11.07 mm thick. Satin-finished and polished steel. Rhodium-plated satin-finished and silvered semi- matt two-colour flange, with 24-hour scale. Screw-down crown. Crown guard. Sapphire case-back with 360° oscillating weight.

Dial: silver opaline. Numerals and indices coated in Super- LumiNova®. Metal skeletonised Super-LumiNova®-filled hour and minute hands. GMT hand with red Super-LumiNova®-filled skeletonised triangular point.

Crystal: sapphire with anti-reflective coating. Water-resistance: 100 metres.

Strap: black rubber or satin-finished and polished steel.

Buckle: folding. Satin-finished and polished steel.