Bell & Ross extends the BR 03 square instrument line of watches with the new BR 03-92 HUD, with a dial style modeled after the Heads Up Display in aircraft.
Press Release, edited for brevity and commentary in italics.
In 2005, the BR 01 was inspired by the cockpit clocks of 1970s airplanes. This iconic watch was designed using high-tech materials and complications. Pushing its exploration of aeronautical navigation instruments further, Bell & Ross developed and innovated a collection of exclusive watches. All of these models make up the instrument panel of an aircraft and offer both a completely new way of reading time and an uncompromising legibility – an absolute necessity for a professional use.
Bell & Ross BR 03-92 HUD
In 2020, as part of its continuing quest for innovation and performance, the watchmakers at Bell & Ross turned their attention on the Head Up Display.
This new introduction completes this Flight Instruments family.
The Head Up Display – also known as HUD – is a transparent glass screen that displays all information that are essentials to fulfill a mission, in the pilot’s visual field. For optimal effectiveness, its primary function is to keep the pilot focused on their target ahead without having to take the eyes off his line of sight.
Considered as both a technological and safety-comfort equipment, the HUD takes on the augmented reality concept. With HUDs displaying digital datas onto the windshield, pilots can be alerted about everything from the horizon line, altitude or speed to navigation aids such as the flight path vector – indicating the direction the jet is taking.
As a result, this high-performance tool puts the emphasis on legibility and will guide the way day and night. In case of low visibility for instance or no matter the conditions, the screen will adjust in brightness and contrast to optimize the ambient lighting.
Although it was originally used in the military field since the 1950’s, the HUD is now also frequently exploited in the automobile industry or civil aviation. The military world has always been a pioneer in numerous fields. It has created an unquestionable expertise in the field of avant-garde technology Its innovations have had various applications in civilian life, such as the Internet, GPS or even the first business jets.
The design of the BR03-92 HUD embodies the spirit of Bell & Ross’ instrument watches. With a contemporary style, the black matte ceramic case features the iconic “circle in a square” that refers to the silhouette of an aircraft cockpit clock.
Settling Bell & Ross’ instrumental identity, the design approach of the HUD’s display hides a treasure chest of sophistication. An innovative exercise of the brand’s creative studio, to reproduce with technical and graphic tricks/ tips (astuces) this display-type on a scale of a mechanical analog watch.
There is more than meets the eye to obtain this uncompromising result. Some special coatings are worth noting on this timepiece. By using the green color, Bell & Ross recreates the graphic style of this instrument as closely as possible. The green on the dial mirrors the computer-type display of the HUD, and the case’s anti-reflective matte black background provides a striking contrast. The crystal glass is tinted and obtained through a green metallization technique that is applied on its back side.
The layering approach is quite a clever though simple way to create a very 3 dimensional look to the watch, with the apparent floating displays showing up like the HUD. The choice of the luminiscent green is also makes the mental connection, though in fighter aircraft is the most common colour chosen for the display, other colours are also used.
Furthermore, the BR03-92 HUD fits perfectly into the family of instrument watches with the objective of optimum readability under any circumstances. To provide an intense green light, the Hours numerals, indices, triangle as well as the minute-circle and hands are coated with green Super-LumiNova® C3 treatment. The ladder is also applied on the 4 brackets.
This combination – green-tinted glass on green information – emphasizes the ultra-legibility of the dial and its fluorescent brightness to reproduce the HUD digital green display. A true punch of light – at day and night – well suited for ‘Nights Owls’ and pilots.
Thanks to its augmented display design, the BR 0392 HUD offers watch aficionados a new perception of time by liberating them from the conventional manner of displaying time. By magnifying specificities and singularity, the BR 03-92 HUD, produced in a limited edition of 999 pieces, will also have designers and aeronautics enthusiasts’ sights set on it.
This utilitarian approach is completed with both a black rubber and an ultra-resilient black synthetic fabric straps.
Interesting aesthetics, as we have come to expect from Bell & Ross. The photographs show a very good association to the HUD used in aircraft, and communicates the ambiance and vibes very well. We are looking forward to seeing the watch in person, and to take photographs of it.
Bell & Ross BR 03-92 HUD Specifications
Movement: Calibre BR-CAL.302. Automatic mechanical.
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and date.
Case: 42 mm in width. Matt black ceramic.
Dial: Black. Central hour disc with Super-LumiNova® marking. Numerals, indices and hands painted with Super-LumiNova®.
Crystal: Green sapphire with anti-reflective coating. Four right angles painted with green Super-LumiNova®.
Water Resistance: 100 metres.
Straps: Black rubber and ultra-resilient black synthetic fabric.
Buckle: Pin. Black PVD* coated steel.
