Bell & Ross’s BR-05 Chrono Snow Rocket Is A Tribute To Extreme Thrills
Built for Simon Billy, the fastest man on skis, this 250-piece chronograph lives up to its inspiration.
Bell & Ross’s BR-05 began life as a city-going counterpart to its tool-watch-led BR-03.
Keeping the BR line’s well-loved aesthetic, featuring the circle set within a square with softer edges, and complemented by an integrated steel bracelet, the collection transposes the aviation instrument panel-inspired look to urban streets.
For its latest run, the watch takes on the colours of Simon Billy. The French speed skier has held the world record since 22 March 2023, when he reached 255.5km/h on the Chabrières track at Vars, in the Hautes-Alpes.
Speed runs in the family. His father, Philippe, set the record on the same mountain in 1997 at 243.902km/h and trained his son with one aim: to beat it.
Bell & Ross says Billy was wearing its watches long before any collaboration came up.
That said, the debut partnership has started with a bang.
Limited to 250 pieces, the BR-05 Chrono Snow Rocket is colourful and dynamic, and articulates Billy’s penchant for speed and performance with aplomb.
The colours grab your attention from the get-go. Bell & Ross has set red italic numerals on a matt white ground.
The tones recall the snow at Vars and Billy’s red racing suit, and the italic numerals lean forward as though hurtling downhill.
The most charming detail is in the hands. The skeletonised hour and minute hands are shaped like elongated speed skis, outlined in red and filled with Super-LumiNova BGW9, which glows blue in the dark.
The tones recall the snow at Vars and Billy’s red racing suit, and the italic numerals lean forward as though hurtling downhill.
The homage carries on round the back, where a speed skier’s silhouette is printed in red on the sapphire case back.
All of the eye-catching colours and subtle design nods are enveloped by the BR-05’s signature aesthetic features.
The 42mm case flaunts both polished and satin-finished steel, comes equipped with a screw-down crown, and is water resistant to 100m.
Inside the watch is the reliable automatic calibre BR-CAL.326, which offers up to 60 hours of power reserve.
Completing this limited edition are a bracelet and a strap, which one can swap depending on the occasion.
The integrated steel bracelet lends a crisp look to everyday office get-ups, while the grooved red rubber strap injects a touch of ostentation for the weekend.