Watchmaker Bell & Ross has, over time, become a reference in the instrument watch field. Since its inception, the brand has produced exceptional models in its dedicated pursuit of superior performance. As part of this quest, it has forged links with the world of the military –one of its key domains. Bell & Ross works regularly with professional elite units such as GIGN (Special Operations Unit of the French National Gendarmerie) and RAID (Search, Assistance, Intervention, Deterrence Unit of the French National Police Force), whose missions often depend on the strictest timing
The Phantom concept, launched in 2007, and the Commando collection of 2009, fit perfectly into the professional military milieu. The launch of these watches, which are inspired by aeronautical instrumentation, heralded a foray into new territory. These avant-garde timepieces were among the first to use a camouflage coating in a horological setting. The new BR03-92 Black Camo (short for camouflage) represents another link in the Bell & Ross camouflage watch series and completes the Bell & Ross camouflage family. La BR 03-92 Black Camo completes the “family of camouflage models” by Bell & Ross Camouflage was first used by the army during First World War. Its purpose was to hide or disguise men or objects. Green, khaki, brown, black and grey are the most commonly used colors. The matte treatment of these colors is a mandatory condition imposed by the military.
Military-type tricolor coating
The new BR 03-92 Black Camo is the latest addition to the successful series of Bell & Ross camouflage watches. For this model, the brand has developed an original military-type tricolor coating. Its dial is covered with a patchwork of matte greys, its case and strap in matte black. This high-tech timepiece is practically undetectable, especially at night. Its matte-treated colors also avoid the risk of undesirable reflections. This means it can be worn during tailing missions or operations in hostile territory with no risk of detection. The BR 03-92 Black Camo retains all the amazing technical features: its display is perfectly legible both day and night thanks to the photo luminescent coating on its hands, indices and numerals. Elite units must be able to read the time easily and accurately during missions.
The BR 03-92 Black Camo has all the characteristics of an Haute Horlogerie timepiece. Notably, it is driven by a highly accurate Swiss self-winding mechanical movement. It features a date function in a window between 4 and 5 o’clock. The beautiful and simple time display is based on the brand’s visual signature: large numerals accompanied by baton indices for perfect legibility. The design of the hands is also very distinctive: slender for the minutes and broader for the hours, to avoid any risk of confusion. The four large numerals (3, 6, 9, 12), impressive in both design and size, are also a Bell & Ross classic. The case of the BR 03-92 Black Camo uses mass-colored ceramic. Wear-resistant and unalterable, this material is second to diamond in terms of hardness. Almost scratch-resistant, ceramic is tougher and lighter than steel. It guarantees remarkable durability, which is indispensable in an instrument used in dangerous military operations. And finally, it is hypoallergenic and heats only slightly, making it very comfortable to wear even in hot weather.
The sandwich type dial is made up of two superposed inserts. The lower one has a black Superluminova® coating bearing the numerals and indices. The upper one carries the camouflage pattern. The die cutting for the numerals and indices reveals the black Superluminova®. This system guarantees impeccable legibility, both day and night. The new BR 03-92 Black Camo is the third link of Bell & Ross’ camouflage family and combines the brand’s core aeronautical and military references. The highly contemporary coating on this military watch makes it one of the most innovative timepieces around. The BR 03-92 Black Camo is perfect for extreme professional situations and also for the everyday great adventures.
Technical specifications
Movement: calibre BR-CAL.302 • Self-winding mechanical. Functions: hours, minutes, seconds and date • Water-resistance: 100 metres. Case: 42 mm in diameter • Matte black ceramic. Dial: two overlapping inserts • Upper insert with black and grey camouflage pattern, cut away around the numerals and indices, revealing the black Superluminova® covering the lower insert • Hands covered with black Superluminova®. Buckle: pin • Black PVD coated steel. Straps: black rubber and ultra-resilient black synthetic fabric. Crystal: sapphire with antireflective coating.
