Watches and Wonders 2025: Bell & Ross marks the 20th anniversary of BR-3 with a trio of skeleton timepiece

Bell & Ross’ signature square case and round dial design gets an all-new skeletonised movement  

More than thirty years after its founding, Bell & Ross continues to adhere to its unique design ethos, celebrating its take on timekeeping inspired by aviation instruments. The house’s square case, round dial design has become an instantly recognisable silhouette that continues to drive its development. 

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of its most iconic creation, the BR-03 sees three new additions that speak to the watchmaker's growth and evolution. The trio of skeleton timepieces retains that signature square case design but is expressed in black ceramic or grey steel. 

The BR-03 Skeleton series features an X-shaped skeleton movement revealed through the three pieces' exposed dials. This X-shaped movement is newly created as part of this 20th anniversary celebration. The BR-CAL.328 calibre is a sleek, automatic, time-only three-hand movement with an X-shaped upper bridge. With a 54-hour power reserve, the movement is now at the heart of all three new references.

The Black Skeleton Ceramic sees the movement behind a smoky grey sapphire dial. Large Arabic numeral and baton hour markers in white superluminova bring a visual contrast to the dark design.

Also in black is the Skeleton Lum Ceramic, which features an openwork dial with an X-shaped cutout that resonates with the movement's design. In place of numeral hour markers are batons that, together with the silhouette of the openwork dial, are illuminated in green superluminova. In the dark, the superluminova gives the dial a neon-like X-ray effect that accentuates the openwork element of the design. 

Both ceramic pieces feature black rubber straps, a PVD-coated steel pin buckle, and a second Velcro strap.

The Skeleton Grey Steel also features an openwork dial but in a steel case with a satin finish with polished details. The gey openwork dial and the calibre revealed underneath form a cohesive visual that gives the piece its sculptural, brutalist aesthetics. 

The baton hour markers and hands are all finished with superluminova, a crucial nod to the brand’s utilitarian heritage, where legibility and style go hand in hand. This rendition of the BR-03 skeleton also comes with two straps, one Velcro and the other rubber, fitted with a sandblasted steel pin buckle. 

The three pieces share the same 41.mm diameter with slight variation in thickeners. The Skeleton Lum Ceramic and Skeleton Grey Steel are limited to 250 pieces. 

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