Bell & Ross collaborates with the Renault F1 Team in an ode to the thrill of motorsport
2019 sees the fourth year of the partnership, marked by a release of four limited-edition complications – the chronograph. As with its predecessors, Renault yellow and carbon fibre black are the dominant colours, along with red highlights and, now, a hint of green on the running seconds of the subsidiary dials.
The BR V3-94 R.S.19 ($6,362) and BR 03-94 R.S.19 ($8,799), which both represent Bell & Ross’ core offerings, are limited to 999 units each.
The former takes cues from the classically round-cased Vintage collection (though slightly enlarged to 43mm in diameter) while the latter is of the brand’s more iconic aviation instrument-inspired square case, 42mm across. Otherwise, both are similarly styled with carbon fibre dials, and sport a new feature in a bi-directional countdown timing bezel.
The ever-bold BR-X1 also returns with an R.S.19 edition ($29,103), limited to 250 pieces. The fully skeletonised dial gives it a raw and stripped-down look, while the square case is wrapped in a functional ceramic bumper that lends a robust aesthetic.
Rubber grip elements ensure easier operation while the rocker-style pushers not only look industrially cool, but are also easier to operate, especially if the user is wearing driving gloves. What’s new this year is the implementation of a ‘time marker’ bezel function, which can be used to mark a stopped chronograph seconds hand to enable lap time comparisons.
The BR-X1 Tourbillon R.S.19 ($262,606), limited to just 20 pieces, pushes things into overdrive with the addition of a flying tourbillon at six o’clock. This piece, a celebration of the beauty of fine engineering, shows how the precise and intricate components of the hand-wound calibre can be appreciated the same way an F1 engine can be.
