Bell & Ross – BR‑X1 RS16 Skeleton Chronograph & BR‑X1 RS16 Skeleton Chronograph Tourbillon
Swiss watch brand Bell & Ross presents its exclusive BR‑X1 RS16 wristwatch collection to celebrate the exciting partnership with Renault Sport Formula One Team at Pirelli Chinese Grand Prix.
As the Official Watch Partner of the Renault Sport Formula One™ Team, Bell & Ross continues to celebrate this partnership debuted on March 18 in Melbourne, at the Formula 1 Pirelli Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.
The 5.4 km Shanghai International Circuit, famous for its demanding changes of acceleration in winding turns and high speed straights, will be an exciting arena for the release of a new limited edition pair of watches: the BR‑X1 RS16 and the BR‑X1 RS16 Tourbillon, named after the team’s new R.S. 16 race car for the 2016 season and exclusively available for retail at selective Grand Prix.
The BR‑X1 RS16 Skeleton Chronograph and the BR‑X1 RS16 Skeleton Chronograph Tourbillon were created to withstand extreme conditions. They are armored, ingenious, robust and technical watches that stand out thanks to the innovative design of its 45 mm multi material case. Using materials like grade 5 titanium and Carbone Forgé®–a high‑tech composite material– the BRX1s are very lightweight, yet incredibly strong watches prepared for the impacts of this extreme field.
Carbone Forgé® is a material obtained using a unique, patented conversion process. The technology behind the process involves compressing carbon fibers with a thermosetting resin at high temperature in a steel mold. To meet watchmaking quality criteria, the engineers have reworked the carbon fibers and the composition of the resin.
The result is a non‑porous, water resistant single unit case with clean edges, in a deep black, which is the color of the carbon fibers. The marbled appearance of each piece is unique thanks to the random way the carbon fibers are mixed. The matt finish reduces reflection for better legibility and makes it soft to the touch.
Made from grey‑tinted sapphire crystal and featuring appliqué metal indices with photo‑luminescent inserts, the dial forms a clear window through which the exceptional movement can be admired. The faceted, Superluminova® filled hands and appliqué indices offer perfect legibility. A yellow rubber grip has also been integrated to the case to ensure better handling when activating the chronograph’s functions, even when wearing gloves.
As a subtle reference to the color associated with Renault Sport’s Formula 1 Team and the racing car field, both timepieces display yellow rubber inserts on the crown and the rocker push buttons.
Bell and Ross BR‑X1 RS16 Skeleton Chronograph
Embodying the very essence of the “automotive watch”, the BR‑X1 RS16 Skeleton Chronograph, a high‑tech chronograph with a sporty yet sophisticated design, is perfection when measuring short time intervals.
Its innovative rocker push buttons, used to activate the chronograph functions, are made from high‑tech ceramic with ergonomically designed yellow rubber inserts Essential for calculating speeds, the tachymeter scale appears on the dark grey flange. To improve legibility, the hands of the chronograph are brought out in yellow: it is an indispensable tool for driving.
Technical details
Model: Bell and Ross BR‑X1 RS16 Skeleton Chronograph
Movement
Mechanical automatic
BR‑CAL.313. “X”‑shaped upper bridge
56 jewels, 28,800 vph
Skeleton chronograph
Functions
Hours, minutes, small seconds at 3 o’clock
Skeleton date at 6 o’clock
Chronograph: 30‑min timer at 9 o’clock, central chronograph seconds
Tachymeter scale on the flange
Case
45 mm diameter
Carbone Forgé®, grade 5 titanium and ceramic with rubber inserts
Rocker push‑buttons
Crystal: anti‑reflective sapphire
Back with opening in tinted sapphire crystal, centred on the balance
Water-resistance: 100 m
Dial
Grey tinted sapphire crystal
Metal appliqué indices with Superluminova® inserts
Metal skeleton Superluminova® filled hour and minute hands
Aluminium 30‑min chronograph timer disc
Straps
Woven rubber and bi‑material: rubber and carbon fiber
Buckle: pin. Black PVD steel finish and rubber insert.
Edition
Limited edition of 250 pieces
Bell and Ross BR‑X1 RS16 Skeleton Chronograph Tourbillon
In a more luxurious and high end version, the BR‑X1 RS16 Skeleton Chronograph Tourbillon is a celebration of a grand complication that is faithful to the inspiration of speed, strength and performance: the values that are shared with Formula 1.
Limited to 20 pieces, this extraordinary timepiece combines the extremely virile aesthetic codes of both Bell & Ross and Renault Sport Team with the technical refinement of Haute Horlogerie.
Bell & Ross has developed a manual wind Skeleton Tourbillon Mono‑Pusher Chronograph, with column wheel movement, and hours and minutes in the center for a traditional display, as well as a 100‑hour (4 days) power reserve indicator at 9 o’clock.
A watch of extreme sophistication, the BR‑X1 Chronograph Tourbillon also has a 30‑minute counter at 10 o’clock and a 60 second counter at 2 o’clock for the chronograph functions.
With the tourbillon, clearly visible in its cage positioned at 6 o’clock, which serves as the ultimate guarantee of precision, the BR‑X1 RS16 Chronograph Tourbillon stands out as an exceptional instrument with a pioneering design.
Technical details
Model: Bell and Ross BR‑X1 RS16 Skeleton Chronograph Tourbillon
Movement
Calibre BR‑CAL.283
Hand‑wound flying tourbillon
Mono‑pusher column wheel chronograph
282 components, 35 jewels, 21,600 vph
4‑day power reserve
Functions
Hours and minutes
Chronograph: 30‑min timer at 11 o’clock, chronograph 60‑sec timer at 1 o’clock
Power reserve indicator at 9 o’clock
Flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock
Case
45 mm diameter
Carbone Forgé®, grade 5 titanium and ceramic with rubber inserts
Rocker push button
Crystal: anti‑reflective sapphire
Sapphire case back with anti-reflective coating
Water-resistance: 100 m
Dial
Grey tinted sapphire crystal
Metal appliqué indices with Superluminova® inserts
Metal skeleton Superluminova filled hour and minute hands
Strap
Woven rubber and bi‑material: rubber and carbon fiber
Buckle: pin. Black PVD steel finish and rubber insert
Edition
Limited edition of 20 pieces
