Style / World of Watches (WOW)

The New Bell & Ross BR-X1 Military is One Robust Chronograph

Lightweight, hard-wearing, ergonomic and ultra-modern, the BR-X1 Military, available in a limited edition of 250 pieces, will delight lovers of extreme chronographs

Oct 08, 2018 | By Jonathan Ho

 

Endowed with a a matte khaki high resistance titanium (HRT) case
and ultra-luminous green display, the new Bell & Ross BR-X1 Military is a high-end chronograph with aesthetic designed to mimic the stealth fighters the brand’s unofficial fighter pilot-fans are assigned to flying.

With its unique features of high strength, low density and corrosion resistance, titanium alloys are of an increasing importance in engineering applications in aerospace, automotive, marine, nuclear and biomedical industries. That said, the titanium typically used in high watchmaking is known to possess lacklustre wear resistance, in watch collector parlance – titanium cased watches are often scratch magnets, owing to poor wear resistance under abrasion and erosion conditions. This is where the new BR-X1 Military particularly acquits itself with their high resistance titanium (HRT) case through ball burnishing process.

The New Bell & Ross BR-X1 Military is One Robust Chronograph

Ball burnishing is a super-finishing process which produces a fine surface finish by the planetary rotation of hardened rollers over a turned metal surface like a watch case. The cold worked process minimises the wear rate and friction coefficient making the latest Bell & Ross  BR-X1 Military chronograph, the perfectly robust chronograph that men in the military require.

Despite its hardwearing features, the new BR-X1 Military is endowed with luxurious appeal, making it a toolwatch equal parts  fully armoured and sophisticated. Its enduring elegance comes by way of the exceptional skeletonised, lightweight yet resilient movement with black DLC coated X-shaped upper bridge, a signature of the Bell & Ross Experimental or BR-X line.

The tinted sapphire crystal dial offers an almost full view of the exquisite automatic calibre BR-CAL.313 and its competently if industrially finished bridges, plates and gear work but what really takes your attention is the faceted hands and applique indexes filled with SuperLuminova ensuring optimal legibility during the day and a cool luminescent light show at night.

The skeleton date dial is unobtrusively positioned at 6 o’clock. While the minute timer on the chronograph function features an ultra-light aluminium disc resembling the blades of a jet-fighter turbine rather than a traditional sub-seconds hand. The movement and its beating heart is fully observable via sapphire caseback.

The latest Bell & Ross  BR-X1 Military is equipped with a new perforated rubber strap for enhanced comfort.

Limited Edition 250 piece BR-X1 Military Price and Specs

Movement Automatic calibre BR-CAL.313 with 48 hours power reserve
Case 45 mm HRT khaki High-Resistance Titanium case with 100 metres water resistance
Strap Perforated black rubber
Price SG$31,500

 

 


 
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