In the world of contemporary watchmaking, some creations transcend their primary function to become true manifestos. The BR-X3 Tourbillon Micro-Rotor embodies this exceptional approach. Far removed from the professional watch codes that made Bell & Ross renowned, this timepiece represents a climb to the heights of Haute Horlogerie. Since its inception, Bell & Ross has built its identity on three fundamental pillars: legibility, functionality, and precision. These values, inherited from aeronautical cockpit instruments, gave birth to the brand’s iconic watches. Beyond these foundations, Bell & Ross now explores new territories, where mechanics become a spectacle and watchmaking reveals its artistic dimension.

The BR-X3 represents the third level of sophistication in the Maison’s creative hierarchy. After the square icons that wrote the brand’s history, after the skeleton models that unveiled the beauty of the cogs, and after the BR-X and their manufacture movements that affirmed technical legitimacy, the time has come to enrich the BR-X with a Haute Horlogerie movement. This new chapter does more than add a complication; it redefines the balance between legibility and mechanical contemplation. “It’s a signature watch that concentrates all of Bell & Ross’ watchmaking know-how, expertise, and design,” explains Bruno Belamich, Creative Director of the Maison. In this exceptional piece, reading the time takes a back seat to another narrative: that of the movement itself, which becomes the absolute protagonist.

The square case, an enduring Bell & Ross signature, undergoes a radical transformation here. In this new interpretation, steel and sapphire combine to create a fully transparent and minimalist architecture, where every structural element contributes to revealing the movement. The construction is based on a bold principle: the case and movement are no longer two separate entities but an inseparable whole, structurally connected. Three components achieve this alchemy: a steel middle case, a sapphire top, and a sapphire caseback, held together by four iconic screws. This apparent simplicity hides a major technical feat, as sapphire—a material of exceptional hardness—requires absolute mastery in both machining and assembly. “Sapphire highlights the beauty of fine mechanics,” states Bruno Belamich. This maximum transparency offers a complete view of the movement, transforming the watch into an object of contemplation where every bridge, wheel, and ruby is visible.

The skeletonized aesthetic draws inspiration from two seemingly distant artistic worlds, united by a shared quest for purity. On one side, the geometric abstraction of Piet Mondrian, with its orthogonal lines and rigorous spatial divisions. On the other, the refined functionality of Charlotte Perriand, whose architectural creations celebrate the essential. This dual reference manifests in a precise grid, a strict geometry structuring the movement like a work of visual art. The movement’s architecture mirrors the geometric grid dear to Bell & Ross. Straight horizontal and vertical lines structure the mechanical space into a rigorous composition. The square skeleton echoes the case, creating visual continuity between container and content. The 26 rubies, traditional watchmaking stones, punctuate this geometry with their deep red brilliance. “Reading the time is reduced to its simplest expression. The movement too, stripped of excess, respecting the grid,” summarizes Bruno Belamich. Indeed, only hours and minutes are displayed, offset at 2 o’clock. This deliberate simplification frees space for the mechanics, establishing a new hierarchy where time is secondary. The finishes reflect artisanal excellence: brushed bridges with linear reflections, polished edges defining contours with surgical precision. Every surface and angle contributes to the overall beauty. It is the expression of watchmaking minimalism, where beauty arises from emptiness, and the purity of mechanical gesture becomes the sole ornament.

At the heart of the BR-X3 beats the manufacture BR-CAL.389 caliber. This movement embodies the quintessence of Haute Horlogerie, combining two major complications in an extremely slender space. The tourbillon, the legendary invention of Abraham-Louis Breguet at the turn of the 19^th century, remains one of the most prestigious symbols of watchmaking. This rotating cage, completing one full turn per minute, compensates for the effects of Earth’s gravity on the balance spring. In the BR-X3, the tourbillon takes a flying configuration, visible at 5:30, where its hypnotic rotation becomes a constant spectacle.

The micro-rotor, the second complication of this caliber, enables automatic winding while preserving a record thinness of just 9 mm for the entire case. This miniaturized oscillating weight, positioned in the movement plane rather than above it, represents a significant technical challenge. It ensures a 58-hour power reserve while maintaining exceptional slimness.


The history of Bell & Ross began in 1994, driven by two friends, Carlos-A. Rosillo and Bruno Belamich, both passionate about watchmaking and aviation. With a Franco-Swiss heritage, Bell & Ross quickly became a reference in the field of professional aviation watches.

In 2005, the company revolutionized watch design codes with the creation of the BR 01, inspired by aeronautical instruments. The iconic “circle within a square” was born, becoming its visual signature. Bell & Ross then established its distinctive design at the heart of every collection: the professional BR 03 collection, the urban BR 05 collection, and the avant-garde BR-X5 manufacture line.

Synthesizing innovation and watchmaking excellence, Bell & Ross embodies the motto “From the cockpit to the wrist,” catering to extreme professionals as well as individuals seeking functional and distinctive watches.
The watchmaking company is present in over 80 countries through a carefully selected international network of 600 retailers and 25 exclusive boutiques. Its universe unfolds around prestigious partnerships with La Patrouille de France and the Rafale Solo Display.

Reference	:	BRX3M-TRB-ST/SCR
Limted edition	:	25 pieces
Movement	:	Calibre BR-CAL.389 Manufacture automatic mechanical movement
Power reserve	:	58-hour
Functions	:	Hours and minutes offset at 2 o’clock Flying tourbillon cage at 5:30
Case	:	Satin-finished and polished steel Customised polished and satin-finished bridges
Width	:	40 mm
Thickness	:	9 mm
Dial	:	Skeletonised Small sapphire fumé dial Rhodium-plated hour and minute hands
Glass	:	Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Water resistance	:	50 metres
Bracelet	:	Grey alligator skin
Clasp	:	Folding buckle Satin-finished and polished steel
Price	:	89,000 EUR