Bell & Ross’ latest addition to the BR-05 collection hits the slopes, as they unveil a new limited edition inspired by French skier Simon Billy.
Snow isn’t something we’re particularly familiar with here in Australia. While we do have pockets of wintry weather, such as Mount Kosciuszko or Tasmania, here in the Sunshine State of Queensland, anything cold usually melts before we can enjoy it. It’s a stark contrast to the French brand Bell & Ross, which has the Alps on its doorstep. One Frenchman who has taken advantage of this is Simon Billy, a Montpellier native and champion speed skier.
In 2023, his passion for speed skiing came to a head when he smashed the world record for the sport at 255.5 km/h, beating Ivan Origone’s previous record from 2016. Surprisingly, this makes him the second person in his family to break the illustrious record, as his father, Philippe, once held it in 1997 with a speed of 243.9 km/h. So, to honour this distinctly French record, Bell & Ross has joined forces with Billy to craft an entirely new limited edition, bringing a little winter to the world.
Snowdown
The new BR-05 Chrono Snow Rocket is the latest French-themed collaboration in Bell & Ross’ repertoire, following other distinctly region-specific team-ups such as the Patrouille de France and Dassault Aviation. It retains the collection’s familiar square case architecture, measuring 42mm in diameter, 50mm lug-to-lug and 14.25mm thick.
Crafted from stainless steel, it’s a bold frame built for bolder wrists, especially since square watches tend to wear considerably larger than their round counterparts. Like its predecessors in the BR-05 lineup, it retains a primarily sporty aesthetic, with a screw-down crown and crown guards contributing to its 100m water resistance. Yet, the profile is still surprisingly soft, thanks largely to its contoured edges and a carefully considered mix of brushed and polished finishes.
Bell & Ross presents the new BR-05 in two different strap options. The first is a classic integrated bracelet, flowing seamlessly out of the case and tapering towards a butterfly clasp. Alternatively, the watch is available on a tough red rubber strap, which terminates in a deployant folding clasp. Both options suit the distinct character of the model line, but it ultimately comes down to whether you’d prefer a more metropolitan outlook or something decidedly sportier.
Team Rocket
The case silhouette of the Bell & Ross BR-05 Chrono Snow Rocket has seen minimal change, but that’s certainly not the case on the dial side. In proper fashion, the brand has adopted a new colourway and dial arrangement befitting Simon Billy’s stellar achievements. The matte white dial, undoubtedly the Snow Rocket’s defining feature, provides a clean backdrop for its contrasting red and black details.
The Arabic numerals, italicised in a nod to sporting typography, stand out against the white backdrop, bringing the watch closer to the world of athletic performance than the standard avionics-inspired collection might suggest. The numerals are accompanied by sharp red indexes, a far cry from the rounded, sausage-like appliques found on the original range, while the rounded hands have also been replaced. The new hands, inspired by skis, further reinforce the alpine connection, with the entire watch bearing the same colour scheme as Billy’s equipment.
The chronograph has also been slightly reworked with red detailing. The central chronograph seconds hand now reads against the tachymeter scale around the dial’s periphery. Finally, the last major change is the date window, which sits symmetrically at six o’clock instead of the often-contested 4:30 position.
Shredding The Gnar
Turning the watch around doesn’t entirely reveal the movement, as the red detailing on the sapphire caseback is likely to catch your eye first. It depicts a speed skier, presumably Billy, once again paying homage to his spectacular achievement. Within, the automatic BR-CAL.326 chronograph movement beats at a luxury-standard frequency of 4Hz (28,800VpH), with a respectable 60-hour power reserve.
Based on the Sellita SW510, the movement is Bell & Ross’ latest chronograph iteration, having replaced the BR-CAL.301 (based on the ETA 2894-2) back in 2023. Not only does this mean a longer power reserve, up from the previous 42 hours, but the integrated architecture of the BR-CAL.326 also makes it more robust and straightforward than its predecessor. The upgrade does come at the cost of a little extra thickness, but Bell & Ross remains committed to keeping the Snow Rocket in line with modern sensibilities.
Initial Thoughts
Introducing a bit of flair to the watch world shouldn’t be something brands are afraid of. Bell & Ross has always been exemplary in this respect, having hedged its bets on an abstract case profile and distinctive inspiration to set its watches apart from the rest of the industry. In that, the brand has succeeded massively, and the BR-05 Chrono Snow Rocket is yet another example.
Primarily, it continues Bell & Ross’ French connection, now alongside Simon Billy, but it also emphasises the brand’s singular perspective on watchmaking as a craft. Translating speed skiing into horology should be tremendously difficult, but Bell & Ross has managed to do so while avoiding many of the pitfalls that might otherwise have led to a more generic sports watch identity.
As a result, the new watch doesn’t feel like just another run-of-the-mill sports-oriented piece. Rather, it’s a distinctive conceptual watch that conveys the fast-paced personality of the sport and the bold daring of its wearer.
References & Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Reference | BR05C-KL-ST/SST (Bracelet) BR05C-KL-ST/SRB (Strap) |
| Dimensions | 42mm case diameter x 50mm lug-to-lug x 14.25mm thickness |
| Case | Stainless steel |
| Dial | Matte white with red accents |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Caseback | Open, sapphire, with red speed skier motif |
| Movement | Automatic BR-CAL.326 with chronograph (30min register), small seconds, & date complications |
| Power Reserve | 60h |
| Beat Rate | 4Hz / 28,800VpH |
| Water Resistance | 100m / 10bar |
| Strap/Bracelet | Integrated steel bracelet with sequential butterfly clasp Red rubber strap with deployant clasp |