Bell & Ross reaches new heights with its latest BR-03 Astro, a watch evocative of the cosmic universe. By placing Earth – surrounded by the Moon and Mars – at its centre, Bell & Ross pays homage to the blue planet and offers a fresh perspective on its watchmaking expertise
Original and unprecedented, the dial of the BR-03 Astro showcases the orbits of planets around Earth. With this limited edition of 999 pieces, Bell & Ross embraces a more narrative and playful approach to its new BR-03 Astro time instrument.
Conceptual in spirit, the BR-03 Astro is also highly technical in execution. For a realistic and faithful representation of Earth, maintaining Bell & Ross’s precision and legibility standards required a decal process beneath the glass. The glass of the dial is carved into a spherical cap, allowing Earth to be rendered realistically in both volume and decal. Calculating the weight and positioning of the hands – especially to support the engraved Moon – required the same meticulous approach applied to designing components of any other precision timepiece.
The BR-03 Astro reimagines the display of time. The mission of the small satellite is simple and precise: to mark the seconds by completing a full orbit around the Earth in 60 seconds. The Moon indicates the minutes, while Mars slowly follows its orbit to display the passing hours. With this captive orbital system, displayed on a blue aventurine dial, the BR-03 Astro offers a reimagined way to read traditional time indicators. Its “hands” are unconventional: Mars indicates the hours, the Moon the minutes, and the small satellite functions as the seconds hand. Together, they create a constant animation on a dial designed like a natural setting in perspective. Every glance at the time becomes an escape.
With a technical black exterior reminiscent of space’s darkness, the BR-03 Astro asserts itself as a statement of style and individuality. Measuring 41mm in diameter and 11.5mm in height, its case is entirely crafted from black ceramic. Water-resistant to 100 meters, it features an anti-reflective sapphire glass with a carved spherical cap at its centre to showcase Earth in relief.
Powered by the Swiss automatic mechanical movement BR.CAL-327, the watch is both robust and high-performing. Its black rubber strap, secured by a black PVD-coated steel pin buckle, reflects its professional heritage. This rare watch, limited to 999 pieces, continues Bell & Ross’s legacy of crafting instruments inspired by aviation and exploration. With the new BR-03 Astro, Bell & Ross elevates this instrument collection to new heights.
