Bell & Ross has long been synonymous with professional-grade watches, drawing inspiration from the clarity and precision of aeronautical instruments. But the BR-X3 Tourbillon Micro-Rotor marks a bold step into new territory—where mechanics become art and watchmaking enters the realm of Haute Horlogerie. This latest creation redefines the brand’s approach, blending technical mastery with minimalist elegance, and making the movement itself the star.
A Radical Take
The BR-X3 retains Bell & Ross’s signature square case but transforms it entirely. Combining steel and sapphire, the watch achieves full transparency, allowing an unobstructed view of the movement. The case and movement are no longer separate elements; they are fused into one seamless structure, held together by four iconic screws. This design isn’t just visually striking—it’s a technical achievement, as working with sapphire requires extraordinary precision.
The skeletonised movement takes cues from the worlds of art and architecture. Think Piet Mondrian’s geometric abstraction and Charlotte Perriand’s functional minimalism: straight lines, strict grids, and open space create a visual rhythm that mirrors the square case. Red rubies punctuate the architecture, providing subtle colour while enhancing the mechanical spectacle. Time display is simplified, with hours and minutes offset at 2 o’clock, giving precedence to the movement’s choreography.
A Mechanical Ballet
At the heart of the BR-X3 is the BR-CAL.389 calibre, a slim, high-complication movement. The flying tourbillon, visible at 5:30, rotates once per minute, counteracting the effects of gravity on the balance spring. Watching it in motion is hypnotic, a constant reminder of watchmaking artistry.
Equally impressive is the micro-rotor, which allows automatic winding without adding bulk. Unlike conventional rotors that sit atop the movement, the micro-rotor is integrated into the plane of the calibre, keeping the case slim at just 9mm while still providing a 58-hour power reserve. Together, these features demonstrate Bell & Ross’s ability to combine precision, technical innovation, and aesthetic beauty.
Minimalism As An Art Form
Every surface of the BR-X3 reflects meticulous craftsmanship. Brushed bridges catch light in linear patterns, while polished edges define contours with surgical precision. The result is a watch where simplicity meets sophistication: the fewer the distractions, the more the mechanical artistry shines.
The BR-X3 isn’t just a timekeeper; it’s a manifesto of contemporary watchmaking, where every gear, ruby, and line tells a story. Bell & Ross has taken its heritage of legibility, functionality, and precision and transformed it into a canvas for Haute Horlogerie.
With the BR-X3 Tourbillon Micro-Rotor, Bell & Ross proves that a watch can be more than a tool—it can be a work of art. For collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate technical brilliance and minimalist design, this timepiece represents the pinnacle of the Maison’s expertise, where mechanics, aesthetics, and innovation converge in a single, captivating object.
The Specs: BRX3M-TRB-ST/SCR
Movement: BR-CAL.389. Manufacture automatic mechanical movement. 58-hour power reserve.
Crystal: Sapphire with anti-reflective coating.
Functions: Hours and minutes offset at 2 o’clock. Flying tourbillon cage at 5:30.
Case: 40 mm wide. 9 mm thick. Satin-finished and polished steel.
Dial: Skeletonised. Small sapphire fumé dial. Rhodium-plated hour and minute hands.
Strap: Grey alligator skin.
Water resistance: 50 metres.
Limited Edition: 25 Pieces.
Price: MYR 395,000
