The Bell & Ross BR-X1 RS16 is a chronograph that celebrates the brand’s sponsorship of the Renault Sport Formula One team. The watch is named after the R.S. 16 car used for the 2016 season, and it is available for sale only at Grand Prix races.
The watch, 45 mm in size, has a case in ceramic, titanium and Carbone Forgé. The latter is a composite made by compressing carbon fibre with a thermosetting resin at high temperature in a mould, producing a marbled appearance generated by the random arrangement of the fibre. There are yellow rubber inserts on crown and rocker push buttons, with a yellow rubber grip on the left hand side of the case, adding a note of colour that is a reference to the Renault Sport cars. The case has a water resistance of 10 bar, 100 metres. The strap is in woven rubber, or in a more colourful version in carbon fibre with yellow rubber highlights.
The watch glass is tinted grey, and it reveals the skeletonized movement. On the left, the 30-minute chronograph subdial has a rotating disc in aluminium with a yellow line; the chronograph seconds hand also has a yellow detail. The continuous seconds subdial is on the right; at 6 o’clock, a frame reveals the date provided by a skeletonized ring. The movement is given a dark hue matching the case by means of black PVD coating. Hands and hour markers are coated with luminescent paint.
The caseback is solid with just a small circular window displaying the balance. The engravings on the caseback include the limited edition number. The calibre is the BR-CAL.313, based on the ETA 2894-2 movement, adapted by skeletonization and an X-shaped bridge. It is self-winding, with a power reserve of 42 hours; the balance runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hertz).
Price
The Bell & Ross BR-X1 RS16 chronograph is a limited edition of 250 pieces, at a price of €22,000.
