It’s not often a Bell & Ross timepiece goes unnoticed.
The French watchmaker’s “circle within a square” shape — borrowed from technical instruments such as the clocks from within the hallowed confines of a cockpit — has become an icon in its own right. Today, the brand takes its head-turning utilitarian aesthetics to the next level with the BR 03-92 Diver Orange.
Available in a limited edition of 250 pieces worldwide — only 10 of which will make it to Singapore — the watch is a professional diving watch through and through. The updated version the Black Steel model is now rendered a striking shade of orange, a hue specifically chosen not only to reflect the Swinging Seventies — an era when orange dial watches first debuted — but also for its association with maritime safety.
The functionality of the colour goes beyond life buoys at sea or rescue swimming floats; it’s also the colour of suits worn by divers aboard rescue missions for its high visibility against a sea of blues and blacks. The brand also reiterates its dedication to creating functional tools for the wrist by also achieving maximum legibility with the watch — both in and out of the water. Indices and skeletonised hands are filled with Super-Luminova, which when set against the orange dial and black hands and bezel create an incredible contrast for efficient readings.
Even if aquatic endeavours aren’t your thing, the BR 03-92 Diver Orange still makes for one of the most attractive and sporty watches in the market today. At 42mm, the watch sits comfortably on most wrists with plenty of comfort to spare. To the side of the stainless steel case lies a carefully designed crown, fitted with not only a guard that protects against impacts, but also a rubber insert for better ergonomics.
This robustness continues within with the automatic calibre BR-CAL.302. Armed with a water resistance of 300m, the movement is further protected by a soft iron cage for anti-magnetism, a reinforced steel case back, and a thicker anti-reflective coating on the sapphire crystal. Underwater, divers will find the 60-minute calibrated uni-directional rotating bezel a cinch to use, which sees a lumed dot at 12 o’clock to set time references with.
The sprightly-coloured timepiece will be housed in a water-resistant professional box and come paired with two straps: A woven black rubber strap with a steel pin buckle, and an orange synthetic fabric one that can easily be adjusted over a wetsuit with a Velcro closure system.
As a watch that sits at the very heart of Bell & Ross’ design and utilitarian ethos, we expect this watch to fly off (virtual) shelves very soon when it hits the online store at a retail price of S$5,600 today.
Shatricia Nair
Managing Editor
Shatricia Nair has a passion for motoring, beauty, and wellness, and is perpetually knee-deep in the world of V8s, retinols, and latest fitness trends. She has nine years of experience writing for digital media, and her bylines have appeared in Prestige, and Augustman. She'll do (almost) anything for good chocolate chip cookies.
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