Bell & Ross releases another new model, the BR-03 GMT Compass, with indication for three timezones and a compass. We got our hands on this novelty, and here is our impressions review.
New & Reviewed: Bell & Ross BR-03 GMT Compass
The Bell & Ross BR-03 GMT Compass Ref. BR0393-COM-ST/SRB retails at CHF 4,500 / SGD 6,800. Prices are inclusive of tax. Limited Edition of 500 pieces.
The case, dial and hands
The case is the base BR03 case in stainless steel with a 42mm rounded square shape. This is a classic Bell & Ross shape, and easily recognisable. The crown is knurled, and looks its part as a “fierce” tool watch. The bezel is bi-colour with the 6 to 18 hours in silver arabic numerals for even hours over a blue background for daylight hours, and the 18 to 6 hours, also in silver arabic numerals for the even hours over a black base signifying the night. The odd hours are marked with dashes in silver. The 0/24 hour marker is a triangle with a pearl which glows in the dark. The bezel is bi-directional, and the 24 hour scale allows a second timezone to be read from the standard hour hand, and a third timezone can also be read with the GMT hand.
The BR-03 GMT Compass dial looks very complicated, but this is essentially the same as with the standard BR-03 GMT. The complexity comes from the additional compass on an internal peripheral disc outer to the minute markers. This compass is marked with cardinal points and is rendered in white with black markings. Inner to this periphery ring is the deep black dial proper marked with the minute track in white (SuperLuminova). The hands configuration is actually the same as the GMT, but both the seconds hand, as well as the 24 hour GMT hand are long, extending equally from the central pivot. The seconds hand is finished with arrows on both sides, with one side painted black and other painted blue. The arrow tips on both sides are black. The GMT hand is diamond shaped with the center hollowed and one side is painted red, and the other painted white. The whites on all the hands – the hour, minute and one side of the GMT is coated with SuperLuminova.
As expected from Bell & Ross, the lume is excellent. The hands with the X1 SuperLuminova glow brightly in green, and legibility in good and poor lighting is excellent.
Bell & Ross have always had a compass within the watch. In the BR-03 Bi-Compass in 2019, the BR-03 Radio Compass in 2022 and BR-03 Gyrocompass in 2023.
The speciality
What separates the Compass from the GMT is the double headed GMT hand. Here it adds to the busy look of the dial. But as with any Bell & Ross design, it does not take away from the legibility. But rather complements it. The aesthetics of on the dial side remain very beautiful. Especially with the deep black, shiny dial being reflective, catching light as one’s wrist moves. The colour scheme selected of whites, blacks, reds, blues plays well with the silvery hue of the stainless case. As noted in the photograph below, the top of the case is highly polished, and shows reflections of the knurling on the bezel when light reflects off it.
To use the compass, the method is simple. And exactly the same for other GMT watches, like the Rolex Explorer II. The GMT hand is double pointed and diamond shaped like a traditional magnetic compass needle. And the outer peripheral ring carries the cardinal points and compass directional markings. To read the compass, first set the GMT time to solar time. Then lay the watch flat and parallel to the ground and rotate the whole watch so that the red hand points to the sun. The compass ring then shows the correct orientation just like a compass.
The movement
The movement is the tried and tested BR-Cal.303, which is derived from the ubiquitious ETA 2893 or Sellita equivalent. This movement is also used in other BR-03 GMT watches.
The caliber is a standard workhorse movement, beating at 28,800 vph and has approximately 54 hours power reserve. Unlike the BR-03 GMT with the same movement. It retains the independently adjustable 24 hour GMT hand, but in the Compass, it is shown a single hand with two arrows, one side in red and the other in white.
Concluding thoughts
Another handsome watch from the folks at Bell & Ross. Not only is the BR-03 GMT Compass a good looker, it is equipped with the ability to read three timezones at once, and also doubles up as a compass. The watch is built solidly, and can serve as a tool watch with ease.
