Iconic Bell & Ross's diver watches and the 2021 edition
Bell & Ross adapts to the infinite shapes of water. Powered by a Swiss self-winding mechanical movement and water-resistant to 300 metres, these professional underwater instruments meet the requirements set by the Federation of the Swiss Watch industry, ISO 6425.
1997: Bell & Ross Hydromax
When Bell & Ross launched the Hydromax, it instantaneously propelled the brand to become one of the world’s leaders in creating professional diving watches. Designed to response to the harshest of conditions, the watch can withstand huge pressure at the depth of 11,100 metres, thanks to its impressive technical innovation where the case is completely filled with a patented transparent fluorinated oil.
2017: BR 03-92 Diver
The first-ever square diving watch by Bell & Ross – BR 03-92 Diver – exhibits elegant aesthetic and unparalleled functionality to boot. The mysterious black dial features indices in skeletonised metal applique filled with white Super- LumiNova for better legibility, and an orange hour hand as well as a minute and a second hand which also contain white Super-LumiNova. Outfitted with a 60-minute calibrated uni- directional rotating bezel, a luminescent dot is placed at 12 o’clock. The screw-down crown is shielded with guard that assures thorough protection against impacts and optimal water resistance. What more, it’s also fitted with a rubber insert for improved ergonomics. Measuring a staggering 2.80mm, the thick case is equipped with a soft iron cage in order to amp up its protection against magnetic fields. The water resistance is further enhanced by the 2.85mm thick anti-reflective sapphire crystal.
2018: BR 03-92 Diver Blue Bronze
After proving that it is capable of producing professional diving watches, Bell & Ross followed up with the BR 03-92 Diver Blue (above) and the BR 03-92 Diver Bronze. Beyond the ocean-inspired blue dial, rubber strap and aluminium insert on the bezel, the former is able to achieve maximum legibility with indices coated in white Super-LumiNova and a yellow hour hand. As the colours fade underwater, the yellow gives way to BR 03-92 Diver Bronze the minute hand, which must be visible to ensure the diver’s safety. As with the latter, the case and bezel are made from bronze, a metal used in the past for diving helmets, that form a patina that makes every watch unique and different from the rest. This allusion to the origins of underwater adventures can be seen on the case- back thanks to an engraving of a diver.
2019: BR 03-92 Diver Black Matte
In case you don’t know, ceramic is used in products such as thermal shields and aerospace rocket’s noses since the material is able to withstand high temperatures, acid attacks, corrosion and erosion. Thus, the BR 03-92 Diver Black Matte featuring matte black ceramic is perfectly in-line with the aeronautical codes that are quintessentially Bell & Ross. Reinterpreting the original elements of the iconic BR 01, the clean lines, black dial, large white numerals, shape of the bands and photoluminescent coating enable easy reading of the time under all conditions. If anything, this ceramic model confirms the brand’s functional and utilitarian vision through and through. Close to diamond in terms of toughness, the high-tech ceramic is hardwearing, non-deformable, lighter than steel and hypoallergenic.
2019: BR 03-92 Diver Green Bronze
A nod to the origin of its diving adventures, Bell & Ross released the BR 03-92 Diver Green Bronze which boosted an olive dial that contrasts the gold-plated applique indices with Super-LumiNova inserts with much intensity. Not unlike BR 03-92 Diver Bronze, the case and bezel are crafted from bronze, which changes to tones of reddish brown or greyish green over time giving it a robust and distinctive look. Fun fact: bronze is the first alloy developed by mankind around 7,000 years ago. The specific alloy used for this 42mm watch is a satin-polished CuSn8, made of 92% copper and 8% tin. The combination of bronze and olive green mirrors the colour of the military camouflage uniform, conferring it a neo-retro and rugged look.
2020: BR 03-92 Diver Orange
The sporty yet attractive aesthetic of BR 03-92 Diver Orange – a revised version of the BR 03-92 Diver Black Steel – stands out with its striking dial colour, namely orange – a maritime safety hue. Elsewhere, the watch maximises legibility with metal applique indices coated in Super-LumiNova and skeletonised Super-LumiNova-filled hands, even in darkness. To enhance the watch’s readability even more, the dial is juxtaposed with the white of the time indications and the black of the hands and bezel. Although it might not be visible from the outside, the case is also equipped with a soft iron cage to increase its resistance to magnetic fields.
2021: BR 03-92 Diver Red Bronze
After introducing a black version in 2018, a green in 2019, and a blue one last year, the watch brand is now completing its shade card with red. The precious yet resistant case and bezel of BR 03-92 Diver Red Bronze are created of satin- polished CuSn8 Bronze, an alloy combining 92% copper and 8% tin, has a deep-seated relationship to diving history as it was used in the past for deep-sea helmets and naval construction. It features anodised red for the bezel, red lacquer for the dial and a reddish-brown strap. The three shades work harmoniously together and boost a high-quality finish. As with the previous versions, all the metal parts of the case are made from bronze except the case-back, which is made from stainless steel, and the anodised aluminium bezel ring.
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