The BR-X3 Night Vision elevates Bell & Ross’s experimental “X” series into a new era of material mastery. With its glowing carbon fibre case and COSC-certified performance, it’s a true fusion of form and function!
The second and latest chapter in Bell & Ross’s BR-X3 collection is one that will light up the room. The new BR-X3 Night Vision takes on a new contemporary design and expands the avant-garde BR-X3 collection to new heights with a timepiece that’s inspired by the head-up night display found in the most sophisticated aircraft in the world. The flight instruments of these aircraft have allowed Bell & Ross to design watches with photoluminescent properties, ensuring perfect legibility both day and night.
Bell & Ross have long been associated with creating aviation, military, and instrument-style timepieces. The “X” series is Bell & Ross’s way of creating experimental timepieces. Watches that are unique, concept designs, or highly technical versions of their iconic designs, pushing boundaries with materials, case architecture, and movement upgrades. The BR-X3 collection is the latest chapter in this “X” series. The watches in the BR-X3 collection take the core BR-03 design and infuse it with technical sophistication and material innovation (multi-layer case, in-house movement) while keeping wearability.
This latest BR-X3 Night Vision perfectly showcases the vision of the “X” series. Taking the signature BR-03 design, Bell & Ross has blended advanced components and cutting-edge materials, cloaked in a luminous material to give a techno-futuristic camouflage look. The dial matches the avant-garde sophistication of the case, with a smoked glass that gives a partial view of the skeletonised movement sitting underneath.
The Bell & Ross BR-X3 Night Vision is a timepiece that is suited for those who love pushing the boundaries, want to look the part of a tactical unit, and appreciate the fusion of military-inspired design with modern watchmaking innovation. It’s built for those individuals who crave adventure, whether that means flying through the clouds or navigating the challenges of everyday life, all the while embodying the stealth, precision, and bold personality of the BR-X3 Night Vision.
Case Design
The “X” in Bell & Ross’s BR-X# collection is often used by scientists and engineers to designate experimental or extreme projects, and in this case, marks the evolution of the brand’s BR-03 line to the next level. The sophisticated and technical 41mm case of the BR-X3 Night Vision features a multi-material, multi-component “sandwich” construction case design. It takes on the silhouette of the BR-03 model, just now with more advanced materials and a skeletonised structure that gives a view of the “sandwich” design.
Bell & Ross states, “The two main plates on the BR-X3 Night Vision, are crafted in LUM-CAMO, an exceptional high-tech composite combining carbon fiber with a blend of SLN resin. The plates are fastened with four through-screws housed in protective cylinders. For this special edition, the cylinders are made of green rubber, also photoluminescent.” As we know, with carbon fibre, the structure of the material gives a unique appearance, which differs from timepiece to timepiece. Combining it with SLN resin gives this structure a stunning green glow that, at night time will transform the watch into a luminous beacon. An aesthetic and functional homage to cockpit instrumentation.
Dial Design
To match the stunning green luminescence of the case, Bell & Ross has given the dial more SuperLumi-Nova presence, turning the BR-X3 Night Vision into a true nocturnal professional instrument. The choice to use green for the luminescence material for both the dial and case wasn’t simply because this is the standard colour used in the watch industry, but rather a call back to aeronautical head-up display systems (HUD), also known in the world of fighter pilots as the “Collimateur Tête Haute” (CTH).
The dial features an X-shaped construction, which is highlighted with green lume. While from the outset it may not seem obvious, the dial is transparent thanks to a smoked glass, showing the skeletonised movement underneath. Much like the “sandwich” case construction, the dial also features a three-layered design, from the tinted sapphire base, which features a photoluminescent green-highlighted cutout pattern, a black micro-blasted insert – with black micro-blasted “Baignoire-style” applique indexes filled with white SuperLumiNova® X2 (green emission), to the green-tinted sapphire crystal on the front. The two sub-dial “windows” on the dial showcase the date indicator at 3 o’clock and the power-reserve indicator at 9 o’clock. Once again, these elements are enhanced visually through SuperLumi-Nova, making it clear and easy to read against the black backdrop.
Movement
The BR-X3 collection features its own upgraded movement, the BR-CAL.323 calibre. Manufacturer Kenissi specially developed this self-winding mechanical movement for Bell & Ross. The movement has been tested and certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), ensuring its high level of precision. This automatic self-winding movement operates at a frequency of 4Hz (28,800 VpH), while giving out a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. By incorporating this movement into the brand’s “X” series, it positions the collection as a serious technical offering, rather than just enhanced design and cosmetics.
Initial Thoughts
The BR-X3 Night Vision is not just another addition to Bell & Ross’s BR-X3 series of watches. This is a statement of intent. This is one of the most daring timepieces in the collection so far, with a look that is bound to gain attention, even though it’s designed for the opposite! The luminous LUM-CAMO construction, the smoked sapphire dial, and the skeletonised architecture of the dial all work in perfect harmony to create a watch that feels both experimental and purposeful. While the timepiece screams tactical precision, it remains strikingly wearable and contemporary, perfectly in line with the brand’s avant-garde DNA.
At its core, this new BR-X3 Night Vision is Bell & Ross’s adventuring into new, bold, and technical territory. While the brand has several pieces in its Haute Horlogerie and Concept collections that feature sapphire and ceramic materials for case construction, there is nothing quite like what’s featured on the BR-X3 Night Vision. Not only is the material made from ultra-light and strong carbon fibre, but it’s also imbued with SLN resin to make the structure of the carbon fibre give a stunning green glow. There is only a handful of brands in the watchmaking industry that have pushed the boundaries of material construction such as this, showcasing Bell & Ross’s commitment to fusing advanced technology with a distinct design language. The BR-X3 Night Vision isn’t just a luminous experiment; it’s proof that the brand is ready to compete at the very forefront of contemporary high-performance watchmaking.
Specification: Bell & Ross – BR-X3 Night Vision (Ref. BRX3R-GN-CA/SRB)
- Dimensions: 41mm x 13.3mm thick
- Case Material: Grade 2 titanium with black DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) micro-blasted finish and carbon fibre inlaid with luminescent (SLN) resin.
- Dial: Three-plate construction – tinted sapphire base, luminescent applique, black micro-blasted insert – with black micro-blasted “Baignoire-style” applique indexes filled with white Super-LumiNova® X2 (green emission)
- Water Resistance: 100m (10 Bar)
- Movement: Calibre BR-CAL.323.
- Movement Power reserve: Approx. 70 hours operating at 4Hz (28,800 VpH)
- Crystal: Green-tinted anti-reflective sapphire.
- Bracelet/Strap: Openworked black rubber with black DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) micro-blasted titanium pin buckle.