For the upcoming edition of the Only Watch charity auction, Bell & Ross has crafted a special watch whose styling makes it appear as it was some sort of a sunken treasure from an old pirate ship. It features a Jolly Roger shaped bezel and an additional golden skull motif on the dial. BR 01 Skull Bronze Tourbillon is made with a large square housing that shows off charming patinated bronze elements. As for the functions of the unique piece, it shows the time in a regulator manner with separate dials for hours and minutes, while the seconds are displayed via a flying tourbillion. There are also displays for its opulent power reserve and the related optimum accuracy indication.
Bell & Ross is another watchmaker who did not use a novel caliber for its one-of-a-kind timekeeper which will be auctioned next November. Instead, it decided to make a complete makeover to one of its existing models. The watch has the same functions as all of its Aviation BR 01 Tourbillon models. When it comes to the appearance, it is the most like BR 01 Airborne, since it has the same Jolly Roger motif used on its bezel. However, the looks of the novel piece are still quite unique.
The dominating theme of the watch is the treasure of a sunken pirate ship, which is achieved with the addition of an exceptionally looking case and further details on the dial, where the most notable one is certainly its hand-engraving of a skull. This skull is made of solid chunk of 18 K gold and it sits on the upper half of its dial. For some reason, the skull motif is quite fashionable in watchmaking industry nowadays. However, this timepiece is among the ones that use it more successfully, since it combines with appropriate sword-shaped elements and the patina of the case.
The golden skull sits on an upper plane of a three-dimensional blackened copper dial with honeycomb motifs in central regions and additional curved lines. It is a regulator type of dial, which means that minutes are shown in the center of the face, while there is also a spate sub-dial for hours which sits at the top. Furthermore, there is a power reserve display that shows the state of its long-lasting five-day storage. Opposite to the power reserve display which lies at the nine o’clock position, one can notice the assorted optimal accuracy scale. This trust index is determined by the state of the power reserve. All of these indications include gilded hands in the shape of short curved swords that were used by pirates, which is quite appropriate for the general theme of the watch.
A Floating Tourbillon with the Brand’s Logo
The bottom of the dial is reserved for another impressive trait, the floating tourbillion which is also made with a golden finish and which features an ampersand symbol, evocative of the Bell & Ross logo. The tourbillion has a rotational period of 60 seconds and is thus used to indicate seconds.
Another trait that goes quite well with the overall theme and which makes the piece look really good is the choice of bronze for the fixed bezel and the middle section of the case. The bronze alloy which consists of 92 percent of copper and 8 percent of tin features a micro-blasted finish. It was exposed to harsh elements to give it a natural patina. The final result is quite captivating and gives the watch a hefty dose of uniqueness and charm.
For better ergonomics and feel against the skin, as well as to reduce its weight, the case-back of the watch is made of hypoallergenic titanium. The rear side of the case fortunately also has a transparent sapphire section that allows the wearer to observe the functioning of the supported movement. The square case has the diameter of 46 mm, while the construction also includes a screw-down crown and a glare-proofed sapphire crystal. Supported water resistance is 30 meters.
As for the used caliber, it is in this instance BR-CAL.281 calibre. As most of the brand’s calibers, this one is also utterly mysterious when it comes to its specifics. Judging from the previous experience, it is most likely an ETA based movement, but it is virtually impossible to know precisely which one it is.
Bell & Ross Skull Bronze Tourbillon for the Only Watch 2015 is paired with a hand distressed brown alligator strap whose undertones match the patina of the bronze housing. Its pin buckle is crafted out of titanium with PVD finish.
