SpotlightRacing Ahead: The Bell & Ross BR 05 Chrono A523 Brings Alpine F1’s Speed To The Wrist

Accelerating into the fast lane, the alliance between luxury watchmaker Bell & Ross and the BWT Alpine F1 team truly embodies the essence of speed and precision. The Alpine F1 team made its debut at the start of the 2021 Formula One World Championship, for which the French watchmaker unveiled three limited-edition chronographs. All set for the first F1 season with Alpine, the BR 05 collection introduces the BR 05 Chrono A523. Swathed in the vibrant hues of the F1 and Alpine team, the BR 05 Chrono A523 marks a new lap in this high-velocity technical partnership. “For the first time, Bell & Ross present a BR 05 in the colours of F1 and our partner team Alpine, complementing our existing models. The choice of chronograph movement meets the needs of Team Alpine, who are, of course, measuring speed and sports performance,” extolled Bruno Belamich, creative director and co-founder of Bell & Ross. Offered on either a steel bracelet or a leather strap, the A523 chronograph captures the pulsating energy of the race, reflecting the technical prowess and dynamism that defines this thrilling collaboration.

Bell & Ross BR 05 Chrono A523 Shifts Gears Into First Season With Alpine

The revving collaboration between Bell & Ross and Alpine has set the gears in motion, offering the enticing BR 05 Chrono A523. This masterful timepiece is a testament to their shared zeal for precision engineering and peak performance. Ensuring unyielding reliability, Bell & Ross have fitted the BR 05 Chrono A523 with the robust BR-CAL.326 calibre. This self-winding mechanical engine not only commands the hours, minutes, small seconds at nine o’clock, and date functions but does so with remarkable precision.

Racing at a steady rhythm of 28,800vph, this chronograph boasts an impressive power reserve of around 60 hours. It is a significant leap ahead in the endurance race, outperforming the 38-hour reserve of the previous BR-CAL.301 that fuelled the earlier BR 05 Chrono.

The decoration with the tricolour French flag, showcasing the striking team blue and proudly brandishing the Alpine logo as a counterweight of the chronograph hand, the BR 05 Chrono A523 is a stunning representation of various hues, especially the blue and white that add simplicity and classicism to the overall contrast of the watch face.

Both sporty and chic, the Bell & Ross BR 05 Chrono A523 comes housed inside a 42mm steel case that continues to square the circle

The finely graduated black dial has been tastefully adorned with twin counters, guaranteeing crystal-clear readability and unfaltering functionality in all situations. This latest chronograph offering from the contemporary Bell & Ross Urban collection, infused with a bold Alpine spirit, masterfully balances athleticism with elegance. The design maintains its urbane dimensions with a 42mm case in satin-polished steel, which deftly gives voice to the circle-within-a-square design language of the BR 05 collection.

Adorned with the French flag, the BR 05 Chrono A523 showcases the Alpine logo on the chronograph hand and its black dial with two counters prioritises superior readability

Churning out over 950 horsepower and weighing just 796kg, the Alpine 523 single-seater can reach speeds up to 355km/h, underpinning the ambitious goals of the BWT Alpine F1 team

Owing to the polished and satin-finished surfaces, the meticulous finishes render a subtle play of light. Paired with a supple satin-polished steel bracelet with flexible links or a sleek black and blue calfskin leather strap, the BR 05 Chrono A523 is perfect for all occasions. With its water resistance up to 100m, the chronograph remains as prepared for adventures as its wearer. This timepiece, created for discerning aficionados, is available in a limited edition run of just 500 pieces.