Grail Watch’s second Alain Silberstein collaboration is with Carlos Rosillo and Bruno Belamich of Bell & Ross. Together with them, Alain has created a trilogy of timepieces. The Grail Watch 4: Bell & Ross × Alain Silberstein Black Ceramic Trilogy consists of a BR 03 time-only model with date, a BR 03 diving watch, and a BR 03 chronograph
Based on the iconic BR 03 – famously inspired by aviation cockpit instruments – from Bell & Ross, all three watches use the BR 03 case, which at 42mm × 42mm is significantly smaller than the original BR 01’s 46mm × 46mm. This is in deference to the fact that collective tastes have shifted back to more classical dimensions.
At 42mm × 42mm without lugs, the BR 03 is the perfect size for any wrist and effortless to wear. All three watches also use black ceramic for their cases and are fitted with black rubber straps. For these watches, Silberstein, Rosillo and Belamich decided not to use any brand logos.
GRAIL WATCH 4: BELL & ROSS X ALAIN SILBERSTEIN
BR 03-92 Klub 22
The time-only model is the purest expression of the collaboration between Silberstein’s and Belamich’s design philosophies. On a pure matte black ceramic case and jet-black dial, we see the hands transform from functional objects into massive oversized geometric forms evoking a sense of playfulness, optimism, and humour. A huge red circle describes the hours, an oversized blue arrow reads the minutes, while an S-shaped form in bold yellow indicates the passing of the seconds. The dial is interrupted only by the subtle date indicator.
At the same time, the minute track is pure Bell & Ross, expressing the rugged instrument typography gleaned from cockpit instruments. Providing an additional jolt of visual energy, the four cardinal markers have also been turned primary yellow. The crown of the watch, meanwhile, features an engraved ampersand logo. The time-only watch features an automatic movement with date function, the calibre BR.CAL-302, and will be made in 200 examples.
BR 03-92 Marine 22
The diver model expresses Silberstein’s most daring new interpretation of his design language while still retaining its functional utility as a submersible timepiece. Silberstein wanted the watch to feature the high visibility of the luminous hour and minute hands and bezel, so that it would function perfectly as a diving watch even if it happened to be an engagingly artistic timepiece. This timepiece therefore features the very first use of Silberstein’s “Maxi” hands, a blue circular hand with a massive luminous plot for the hours, and a huge red triangle inlaid with luminous material for the all-important minute hand that provides a reading for elapsed dive time.
Silberstein and Belamich also worked extensively on a two-tone ceramic bezel with the last 20 minutes of the insert coloured red and featuring a full set of 20-minute markers with luminous indexes, optimising the bezel to provide an easy reading. The diver model is depth-rated to 300 meters, features a screw-down crown, and is powered by the same automatic movement with date function as the time-only model, the calibre BR.CAL-302, and will be made in a series of 100 examples.
BR 03-94 Krono 22
The chronograph model is the watch for both visual maximalists and those who love the functional advantages of a timepiece capable of timing events. It has a total of five of Silberstein’s famous Bauhaus-inspired hands, the same red circle for the hours and blue arrow for the minutes, but now the yellow S-shaped hand serves as the chronograph seconds indicator. In addition, a blue triangle serves as the indicator for the chronograph 30-minute counter, with a yellow arrow for the continuous seconds indicator. The chronograph pushers are inlaid with a yellow lacquered rectangle for the start/stop function and a blue rectangle for the reset function. The crown features Silberstein’s signature red triangle. The watch features an automatic chronograph movement with date, the calibre BR.CAL-301, and will be made in 100 examples.
All watches are individually numbered. Watches 1 to 50 will be sold exclusively in a box set of all three timepieces. Together with Bell & Ross, Silberstein has designed an incredible collector’s box for these Trilogy sets, featuring his signature primary colours. These boxes are the perfect way to display the timepieces together.
