When Bell & Ross first introduced the BR-05 collection, it signaled a pivotal evolutionary step for the Paris-based watchmaker. It took their iconic, aviation-inspired “circle in a square” cockpit instrument DNA and seamlessly translated it into the highly competitive, ultra-refined arena of the integrated-bracelet urban luxury sports watch.
Over the years, the collection has matured beautifully, incorporating complications from practical dual-time GMTs to complex open-worked skeletons. However, their latest limited-edition release explores an entirely new, uncompromisingly hedonistic dimension of luxury watch culture.
Partnering with the historic French luxury maison S.T. Dupont, renowned for their legendary high-end lighters and smoking accessories, Bell & Ross has unveiled the Bell & Ross BR-05 Chrono ST Dupont Watch.
Limited to an exclusive run of just 150 pieces worldwide, this collaborative release represents a deliberate intersection where strict horological precision meets sensory, epicurean indulgence. Commanding a premium price tag of £19,200 for the complete presentation set, it is targeted directly at the modern collector who values artisanal excellence as much as a quiet afternoon in a private lounge.
A Rich Harmony of Steel, 18k Rose Gold, and Tobacco Tones
The centerpiece of this stunning launch is a beautifully executed 42mm iteration of the BR-05 Chrono. The case retains the collection’s signature industrial-chic architecture, utilizing a sophisticated interplay of alternating polished and satin-finished surfaces.
For this special edition, the case is sculpted from a striking combination of stainless steel and 18k rose gold. Measuring 14.25mm in thickness and featuring integrated shoulder guards to protect its heavy-duty screw-down crown, the housing feels robust yet remarkably balanced on the wrist, boasting a dependable 100 meters of water resistance.
Beneath the anti-reflective sapphire crystal sits a highly captivating, sunburst brown dial. The rich, tobacco-toned face catches moving ambient light beautifully, echoing the deep texture and oily sheen of a premium cigar wrapper leaf.
The dial furniture is beautifully appointed, featuring satin-finished 18k rose gold applied numerals and polished rose gold hour markers. These are accompanied by skeletonized, polished gold hands filled with a custom beige Super-LumiNova that emits a warm green glow in low light. For a subtle, co-branded touch, the iconic script logo of S.T. Dupont sits elegantly at the 6 o’clock position.
Mechanical Integrity and the Caliber BR-CAL.326
Flipping the timepiece over reveals a view that is characteristically industrial yet appropriately refined for a watch of this caliber. Visible through a transparent sapphire caseback is the automatic mechanical Caliber BR-CAL.326.
This reliable mechanical engine operates at a high-beat frequency, supplying a robust 60-hour power reserve. It drives the central chronograph seconds and a 30-minute counter positioned neatly at 3 o’clock, which is balanced symmetrically by a running small seconds subdial at 9 o’clock and a discreet date window nestled between 4 and 5 o’clock.
True to the contemporary architectural language of the BR-05 line, the movement is equipped with a custom, skeletonized 360-degree rotating oscillating weight that allows for an unhindered view of the perlage and circular graining below.
Collectors are given the option to secure the watch on an integrated two-tone stainless steel and 18k rose gold bracelet that flows flawlessly into the case lines, or a gradient brown calfskin leather strap treated with a dark patina and an imitation alligator pattern to emphasize its organic character.
A Curated Treasure Chest for Connoisseurs
What genuinely elevates this release beyond a standalone timepiece into a serious collector’s item is the magnificent presentation case it arrives in. Rather than shipping in standard watch packaging, Bell & Ross has designed a luxurious treasure chest crafted from heavily varnished Macassar ebony, lined completely with authentic Spanish cedar.
This box is engineered to function as a fully operational cigar humidor. Inside, lucky owners will find the watch flanked by two exclusive, matching S.T. Dupont tools: an iconic Ligne 2 pocket lighter and a custom-milled cigar cutter, both finished in the exact same dual-tone steel and gold motif as the chronograph.
Ultimately, the £19,200 package feels like an entirely organic alignment of two historic European brands sharing a singular, uncompromising vision of craftsmanship.
By blending centuries-old artisanal tradition with cutting-edge watchmaking, they have delivered an incredibly compelling lifestyle statement piece that is as much a work of art on a lounge table as it is an instrument on the wrist.
