Bell & Ross wall clock

Bell & Ross wall clock

In the late 1980s, a team of Swiss designers set about developing watches that could specifically serve as precise time indicators for pilots and space travelers. The founders Carlos Rosillo and Bruno Belamich knew that they were targeting a very small market. However, they believed in the power of Swiss watchmaking tradition and the promise of new technologies. After years of planning, Bell & Ross opened its doors in 1992 and was immediately successful. The company had customers that ranged from everyday construction workers to bomb disposal teams. Bell & Ross did an excellent job of marketing their product to people who regularly worked in extreme situations. With the ability to withstand massive amounts of heat, pressure, and force, Bell & Ross made watches known for their relative indestructibility.

First, Bell & Ross partnered with Sinn Models to support the production side of the process. This allowed the Bell & Ross team to focus on the design, marketing and sale of the watches. Ultimately, however, your work with meaning was short-lived. The rapid growth and success of Bell & Ross gave them the opportunity to set up their own independent production company. The vertical integration enabled them to rationalize their processes and make them even more efficient and cost-effective.

Bell & Ross has built its business and watchmaking philosophy on four key components. These include optimal water resistance, precise mechanical movements in Switzerland, clear visual displays and special functions for certain applications. In addition to these guiding principles, Bell & Ross wanted to take an extra step to ensure that they met the needs of their target customers. Therefore, they decided to hire specialized engineers to develop the durability aspects of the watches.

In the early years, Bell & Ross quickly gained a reputation for its superior pilot and dive watches. As the company grew in awareness, partnerships with NATO and the U.S. Air Force began. They later agreed on a contract with the French Security Service's bomb disposal command.

There have been a number of notable Bell & Ross models over the years. Just two years after it opened in 1994, the company had a watch in space. This year the German astronaut Reinhart Furrer wore a Bell & Ross on the Spacelab mission. The company also launched a women's line in 2003: the Mystery Diamond. The collection combined feminine style elements with the brand's reputation for durability. Bell & Ross launched two new models in 2011: the limited-edition Red Radar and the legacy of the First World War. The red radar is based on the brand's compass and the previous radar, which integrates a disc system into an ETA movement. The WW1-92 Heritage is based on the brand's WWI collection. It combined elements of the brand's military history with a modern PVD-coated steel case.

In 2012 Bell & Ross expanded the WWI line with the WWI Monopusher Chronograph. The model has a pocket-inspired design that recalls the past of the models. In the form of the movement, however, it has been significantly improved: a monopusher chronograph. The following year, the brand released three new additions to its aviation collection. These included the BR 01-92 Heading Indicator, the BR 01-92 Airspeed and the BR 01-92 Climb. In 2014, a new variant of the brand's BR 126 was launched: the BR 126 Sport Heritage GMT & Flyback. In the typical Bell & Ross fashion, the model strives for the perfect balance between vintage and modern elements. The black dial and the golden application indices and numbers look patinated. In contrast, the functions of the second time zone and the return give the model a modern technical boost.

Bell & Ross has continued to grow and expand its range in recent years. In 2016 the brand launched the Instrument de Marine collection. As the name suggests, this watch trio pays homage to marine chronometers. A year later, Bell & Ross introduced two new models: the BR03-92 Horograph and the Horolum in a limited edition. Both models retain the brand's immediately recognizable square case. However, they are each characterized by a strikingly modern aesthetic, which represents a certain deviation for the brand. In 2017, the brand returned to its roots with three new models in its vintage collection. These included the BR V1-92 Black Steel, the BR V2-92 Black Steel and the BR V2-94 Black Steel Chronograph. Three new M came in 2018