Frankreich · Gegründet 1994
Bell & Ross
Bell & Ross's early watches were built by Sinn in Frankfurt.
Redaktioneller Text auf Englisch.
Bell & Ross is a Paris-based watch brand with production in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, best known for the square BR 01 and BR 03 cases modelled on cockpit instruments. It also makes the integrated-bracelet BR 05 and vintage-style round watches. Chanel holds a stake in the company. Most models cost between about 3,000 and 7,000 euros.
Geschichte
Bell & Ross takes its name from its founders, Bruno Belamich and Carlos A. Rosillo, two friends whose idea began as a university project in 1992; the brand dates its founding to 1994. The first watches were made in cooperation with Sinn Spezialuhren in Frankfurt, and several early models were close relatives of Sinn designs. Early pieces aimed at professional users included the Space 1 chronograph and a model for bomb disposal teams, and the brand exhibited at Baselworld for the first time in 1995.
In 1998 Chanel's watch division took a stake in the company, and the Sinn-built Hydromax diver, rated to 11,100 metres, was recognised for a wristwatch water-resistance record. The partnership with Sinn ended in 2002, when Bell & Ross gained access to production facilities in La Chaux-de-Fonds through Chanel and moved manufacturing to Switzerland. The founders kept control of the brand.
The turning point came in 2005 with the BR 01 Instrument, a 46 mm square case with a round dial, modelled directly on aircraft cockpit instruments. A 42 mm version, the BR 03, followed in 2006 and became the brand's core model. The BR 05 of 2019 added an integrated-bracelet sports watch. In 2023 the BR 03 was reduced to 41 mm and fitted with the Sellita-based BR-CAL.302 with a 54-hour power reserve. The brand is official supplier to the French Air Force squadron Escadron de Chasse 2/4 La Fayette and partnered with Renault's Formula 1 team from 2016.
Gründer
- Bruno Belamich
- Co-founder, creative director
- The 'Bell' in Bell & Ross. Co-founded the brand with Carlos A. Rosillo and leads its design, including the square BR 01 of 2005.
- Carlos A. Rosillo
- Co-founder, CEO
- The 'Ross' in Bell & Ross. Co-founded the brand with Bruno Belamich and runs the business side.
Meilensteine
1994
Bell & Ross founded
Bruno Belamich and Carlos A. Rosillo found the brand after developing the idea as a university project from 1992.
1995
First Baselworld
Bell & Ross exhibits at the Basel fair for the first time, with watches produced by Sinn in Frankfurt.
1998
Chanel takes a stake
Chanel's watch division becomes a shareholder; the founders keep majority control.
2002
Production moves to Switzerland
The Sinn partnership ends and manufacturing moves to La Chaux-de-Fonds.
2005
BR 01 Instrument
The 46 mm BR 01 introduces the circle-in-a-square case based on cockpit instruments.
2006
BR 03
A 42 mm version of the square case, the BR 03, becomes the brand's main model.
2019
BR 05
Bell & Ross launches the BR 05, a sports watch with integrated bracelet and rounded-square bezel.
2023
BR 03 update
The BR 03 shrinks to 41 mm and moves to calibre BR-CAL.302 with a 54-hour power reserve.
Drei Dinge, die Sammler wissen
A record set with oil
The Hydromax diver of the late 1990s was rated to 11,100 metres and set a wristwatch water-resistance record, deeper than the bottom of the Mariana Trench.
German before Swiss
Until 2002 Bell & Ross watches were produced by Sinn in Frankfurt, and several early models were essentially rebranded Sinn designs.
Instruments on the wrist
The BR 01 case was based on cockpit gauges, which are round instruments fixed in square housings with a screw in each corner. The four corner screws on BR cases repeat that detail.
Wichtige Modelle
- BR 032006
The core square model; 42 mm until 2023, now 41 mm with BR-CAL.302 and 54-hour power reserve.
- BR 01 Instrument2005
The original 46 mm circle-in-a-square case that defined the brand.
- BR 052019
Integrated-bracelet sports watch with a rounded square bezel over a round case.
Fragen
- Is Bell & Ross a Swiss or French brand?
- Both. The company is headquartered in Paris and was founded by two Frenchmen, but its watches are made in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and are Swiss Made.
- Does Chanel own Bell & Ross?
- Chanel is a shareholder, not the owner. Its watch division invested in 1998 and gave Bell & Ross access to Swiss production, while the two founders kept majority control.
- What movements does Bell & Ross use?
- Mostly Swiss movements from Sellita and other suppliers, finished and named in-house as BR-CAL calibres. The BR 03 uses BR-CAL.302 with a 54-hour power reserve since 2023.
- Who made the first Bell & Ross watches?
- Sinn Spezialuhren in Frankfurt. Bell & Ross's early watches were produced by Sinn until the partnership ended in 2002 and production moved to Switzerland.