This series of three high-tech chronographs BR-X1 Tourbillon Chronograph R.S.18, BR-X1 Chronograph R.S.18, and BR03-94 R.S.18 was unveiled at Baselworld in March 2018. Inherently sporty and sophisticated, these avant-garde timepieces push mechanical engineering, technical skill, and innovative watchmaking to their limits.
The chassis as inspiration
In 2016, Bell & Ross unveiled two watches in Renault’s iconic colors, the black and yellow of the French team. The following year, the brand presented three models boasting a technically accomplished design inspired by the steering wheel of a single-seat racecar with subtle references to aircraft cockpits, the true stylistic DNA of the Paris-based watch firm. This year, it is revisiting one of the key components of a Formula 1® car: the chassis.
In Formula 1®, where top performance is the ultimate goal, the chassis must be extremely light and exceptionally rigid. Closely guarded secret, its complex architecture is carefully engineered to marry these two seemingly contradictory qualities. The case is to the watch what the chassis is to the car, and all three R.S.18 chronographs have been designed with a focus on high performance using materials with tried and tested features. The main structures into which the engine (movement) and the bodywork (dial) are fitted have all the elements of racing style.
High-tech structures
The cases have been engineered from perforated microblasted titanium, lending them an understated and modern matt look. This material is well known for its lightness and rigidity.
The chronographs are activated with rocker pushers on the three R.S.18 models evoking the paddles on a Formula 1® steering wheel. These rockers, already present on BR-X1 models, have now been adapted for the BR-03.
Also featuring an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, these three chronographs are hard wearing and ensure optimum legibility in all situations. Acting as the watch’s bodywork, the three dials also contain nods to motor racing. The touches of color for all the chronograph functions show clear allegiance to the world of motor sports, racetracks and paddocks. Lastly, a black perforated rubber strap has been developed for this series of three R.S.18 chronographs, offering unrivalled comfort on the wrist thanks to its unique ergonomics and its high level of breathability.
BR 03-94 R.S.18
The BR03-94 R.S.18 chronograph has all the hallmarks of a sports watch, including a dial made from carbon fiber, a material that is highly prized in the world of high-end motor racing. The combination of titanium and carbon ensures the piece is lightweight and hardwearing, robust and high performance. The gear train of the movement can be seen through the auxiliary counters for the chronograph function. Driven by a self-winding Swiss mechanical caliber, the BR03-94 R.S.18 also features a tachymeter scale on its flange, enabling the speed of a vehicle over a given distance to be calculated immediately. For the first time on a BR03 model, the chronograph pushers use a rocker design in a nod to the gear change paddles on Formula 1® cars. On the Bell & Ross BR03-94 R.S.18, they have been crafted from red anodized aluminum, another subtle tribute to the iconic color of the motor racing world.
The BR 03-94 R.S.18 is a limited edition of 999 pieces.
BR-X1 R.S.18
The BR-X1 R.S.18 is a high-tech skeletonized chronograph. The self-winding Swiss mechanical movement is skeletonized to lend it a unique and resolutely high-tech style. Its rocker pushers equipped with a yellow rubber insert underlines this. Its 30-minute counter is highlighted with hints of red. In the same spirit, the typography of the “racing” style numerals and the yellow tachymeter scale sitting on the flange immerse us immediately in the world of tracks and starting grids. To ensure optimum ergonomics when using the chronometer functions, a yellow rubber thumb grip has been integrated into the case at 9 o’clock. Lastly, to ensure optimum legibility, the slender hands and applique indexes have been filled with Superluminova®.
The BR-X1 R.S.18 is a limited edition of 250 pieces.
BR-X1 TOURBILLON R.S.18
The masterpiece of this series, the BR-X1 Tourbillon Chronograph R.S.18 watch, is equipped with a highly complicated movement that combines a single-pusher chronograph with a “flying” tourbillon, which means that its cage is secured to an axis, giving the impression that it is floating in space. In yellow and red, the chronograph functions are immediately identifiable. This high level of legibility is enhanced by the addition of Superluminova on the hands and indexes.
Thanks to its skeletonized dial, the BR-X1 Tourbillon Chronograph R.S.18 showcases the futuristic gear train of its high-tech motor. To ensure optimum ergonomics when using the functions, a yellow rubber thumb grip has been integrated into the case at 9 o’clock.
The BR-X1 TOURBILLON R.S.18 is a limited edition of 20 pieces.
