Bell & Ross has been associated with the Renault F1 Team since 2016, issuing five special editions to mark the partnership. Now that Renault has re-branded the team to promote its Alpine brand, the Franco-Swiss watchmaker is reaffirming its role as the teams official timekeeper with three new chronographs (the BR V3-94 A521, BR 03-94 A521, and BR-X1 A521). The Alpine F1 Team collection incorporates touches of the constructor’s black, white and blue branding. Functional and easy to read, the black dials include luminescent white numbers along with two “Alpine blue” hands for the stopwatch – the counterweight of the central second hand of the stopwatch is a stylized “A” for Alpine – and skeleton cut outs. The collections A521 reference is a nod to the current Alpine A521 single-seat racing car.
Bell & Ross BR V3-94 A521 – Inspired by B&R’s Vintage collection, the 43-mm round case surrounds a black dial with two stopwatch counters configured as stars inside white circles, a reference to the wheel rims on Alpine’s F1 car. A red, white and blue flag at 6 o’clock honors the French roots of both brands. The speedometer function allows the wearer to calculate the speed of a car. Used in conjunction with the stopwatch, the two-way rotating bezel marks the time in even greater detail. Available in a limited edition of 500 pieces, the watch comes on a perforated ‘carbon effect’ black and blue leather strap ($4,400.00) or a polished steel bracelet ($4,700.00). Available now at bellross.com.
Bell & Ross BR 03-94 A521 – This square case model features a dial similar to the BR V3-94 with two skeletonized sub-dials inside white circles, only with the date window moved to 6 o’clock. Atop the 42-mm steel case, the two-way rotating bezel can countdown from 60 to 0 minutes. The toggle push-buttons with black PVD finish are reminiscent of the paddles found on the steering wheels of F1 racing cars. Mounted on a perforated rubber strap, this timepiece is a limited edition of 500 pieces ($6,400). Available now at bellross.com.
Bell & Ross BR-X1 A521 – Set in the B&R’s signature “circle in a square” case, this is the most innovative model in the Alpine F1 collection. Its 45-mm case combines grade-5 titanium, ceramic and rubber. A rubber shell surrounds the case to protect it from impacts. The ergonomic design of the toggle push-buttons – made from titanium covered in rubber – reference the steering wheel paddles of Formula 1 racing cars. The bezel is divided into a fixed, graduated section made from titanium and the rotating aluminum ring, covered with black PVD. Inside the case, a glazed black skeleton dial offers a view of the symbolic X-shaped central bridge and moving balance spring. Limited to 50 pieces ($21,500.00). Available now at bellross.com.
