Bell & Ross BR-03 Astro Charts a Novel Path in Horology

Drawing inspiration from the ISS Cupola, the Bell & Ross BR-03 Astro transforms the concept of time into a celestial choreography, featuring Mars, the Moon, and a satellite monitoring its progression.

Bell & Ross deserves recognition for its unwavering commitment to daring, as exemplified once more with the BR-03 Astro. The Franco-Swiss watchmaker is primarily recognized for its circle-within-a-square design, however it also delights in presenting provocative challenges to traditional timekeeping. Late last year, Bell & Ross introduced the BR-03 Horizon, a timepiece that offered an alternative method of time reading; the new 41mm BR-03 Astro in black ceramic expands upon this concept. You are observing three celestial bodies that are readily identifiable, but we will specify them here as they serve the function of indicating time, much to traditional clock hands.

The Earth, in its unequivocally non-Copernican central position, stays stationary as the other celestial bodies revolve about it in the passage of time. Mars measures hours; the moon measures minutes; and the satellite measures seconds. Bell & Ross is somewhat reticent in its portrayal of the mobile components, however it appears to be an intriguing enigma. All elements must traverse the aventurine dial without compromising its integrity, and the visuals presented undoubtedly provoke curiosity regarding the mechanics of this process. Consequently, contemplate the depiction of the Earth, which is intricately engraved into the sapphire crystal.

The brand describes it as a "spherical cap" that presents our home planet in relief. The Earth is embedded within the sapphire crystal that encases the dial. This represents one of the most captivating applications of this design element, typically intended to safeguard the dial while facilitating time readability; it also features an anti-reflective coating, which is a commendable addition. If you overlooked it, this application of the sapphire crystal exemplifies the chutzpah we reference. What prompted this novel perspective on time and craftsmanship?

“The Cupola, the observation dome of the International Space Station (ISS), inspired this timepiece, which serves as a porthole to the planets,” stated Bruno Belamich, Creative Director and co-founder of Bell & Ross. I envisioned Earth viewed from space in symbolic conjunction with the Moon and Mars. The allure of this watch resides in its display—not as a technical representation of an instrument watch, but rather in a realm of creativity. The BR-03 Astro distinctly maintains its commitment to the aviation sector. We commend Belamich and associates for their innovative thinking in this instance.

The BR-03 Astro is equipped with the automatic BR-CAL.327, derived from the Sellita SW300 movement, similar to the Horizon model. The power reserve is specified at 54 hours. The case, as previously mentioned, is composed of micro-blasted black ceramic (rendering it a less reflective component), has a specified thickness of 11.5mm, and is water-resistant up to 100m. The strap consists of black rubber and black cloth. The BR-03 Astro is restricted to 999 units.