Bell & Ross Launches Vibrant Blue GMT At Watches & Wonders
The BR 03-93 GMT is joined by two other collection-worthy releases from the famed tool watchmaker.
The annual luxury watch trade show Watches & Wonders brings with it no shortage of stunning timepieces, some of which lean more practical and some of which lean a bit more out-of-this-world (like Jacob & Co.’s $20 million anomaly). For those who prefer a sense of rugged, durable appeal and utility though, the Bell & Ross BR 03-93 GMT Blue is just the ticket.
The horologist–showing at the fair for the first time–has a knack for design partnerships (like a recent trio of watches with Alan Silberstein), but this latest edition falls right in line with the useful, subtle details of the previous black-and-red iteration of the 03-93 GMT.
Joining the watch fair for the first time is a big step for any timepiece brand, said Eugene Tutunikov, the CEO of online luxury watch marketplace SwissWatchExpo.
“Their presentation at Watches & Wonders is sure to make collectors curious about these older pieces, especially with the focus on vintage collecting and the circular economy today,” he told Maxim.
The signature Bell & Ross square case features satin-finished and polished steel, and it’s the color-blocked bi-directional rotating bezel that delivers a truly distinctive touch.
Naturally, the blue sunray dial is also highly appealing, and allows other uniquely Bell & Ross touches to shine through, like oversized numerals positioned at every 4-hour marking.
Bell & Ross has a history of pushing the envelope, Tutunikov said, especially with its square-case watches and a vibrant mix of colors.
Yet, the horologist stayed true to itself with its latest run of watches, he added.
“For this year’s Watches & Wonders, I believe Bell & Ross came as they are: makers of instruments with a lot of wrist presence,” Tutunikov told Maxim.
It’s not the only new timepiece to debut this week from Bell & Ross: The watchmaker also unveiled a striking take on the BR 03-92 Diver in White Bronze .
That watch is limited to 99 pieces at a price of $4,700, boasting a pearl white dial and a bronze case that should develop a pleasing patina over time.
Tutunikov noted that each Bell & Ross watch released at Watches and Wonders was “a visual delight in their own way.”
The watchmaker also offered up the BR 05 Green Gold at Watches & Wonders, a stunner of a watch priced at $34,000. The model represents a “clean, stylish design with an edgy aura,” Bell & Ross said.
It’s hard to pick just one favorite, and yet the BR 03-93 GMT might be the frontrunner, thanks to the crisp blue dial and GMT functionality.
The GMT function on the BR 03-93 can be set independently of the hours hand, and is easily legible via the red-arrow hand.
The date window isn’t hard to spot, either–it rests between the 4-o’clock and 5-o’clock markers, unlike other timepieces that position the date window at a more traditional 3-o’clock marking.
The blue sunray dial and two-tone bezel are winning design highlights, but the most eye-catching part of the watch might be the blue calfskin leather strap–it’s a trio of vivid blue that separates this watch from the pack.
It’s the functionality of the BR 03-93, blended with an approach that’s equal parts rugged and refined, that elevates this timepiece, the horologist said.
Bell & Ross calls this new take on the GMT a testament to the company’s “voyager approach with a colorway that’s rare, elegant and subtle,” and for the right price, it could be yours when it ships out this May.