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ReviewInstrument Upgrade: Introducing The New Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver

With updates to the movement, case, bezel, dial and strap, the new Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver watches promise enhanced functionality and a better diving experience, all while keeping their distinct circle-within-a-square instrument-panel aesthetic intact

Geetanjali Jhala July 28, 2024

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One thing common in a catalogue of highly accurate and functional watches, designed for the air, sea, racing and urban settings, is that Parisian watchmakers Bell & Ross take their instrument timepieces very seriously. Their BR 03 Diver line of watches is proof of this. With clear legibility and water resistance that supports a dive that goes beyond the recreational dip, there’s nothing the BR 03-92 watches didn’t offer. And yet, seven years since the BR 03 Diver collection was first launched, Bell & Ross update this series with a new, improved dive watch. This new, updated Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver is the watch you didn’t know you needed until you see it. And once you’ve seen just how cool and functional it is, you can’t do without it, more so if you are into square watches. The BR 03 Diver circle-within-a-square case now comes with an updated diver’s bezel, a cleaner, crisper dial with better legibility, and a redesigned strap.

Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver Black Steel Dive watches steel watches ceramic watches square watches — The Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver circle-within-a-square case now comes with an updated diver’s bezel, a cleaner, crisper dial with better legibility, and a redesigned strap

Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver: More Than A Tool Watch

Although Bell & Ross joined the world of fine watchmaking late, what they lack in years of experience, they make up for in diligence and research. In 2017, the Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver joined the instrument watch line-up that consisted mainly of aviation timepieces, based on the brand’s first commercial success, the BR 01 line. Inspired by the brand’s 1997 Hydromax, with a water resistance of up to 1,100m, the Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver watches were designed to be legible, functional and reliable tools, with no unnecessary frills. Now, seven years later, the brand’s update to this modern icon makes it even more functional and reliable.

Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver Black Steel Dive watches steel watches blue dial square watches — Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver watches are designed to be legible, functional and reliable tools, with no unnecessary frills. Seen here is the BR 03 Diver Blue Steel timepiece

Timeless Steel Dive Timekeepers: The New Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver

Of the five new dive watches from Bell & Ross, three are crafted from stainless steel, with satin and polished finishes. Sized at 42mm, the BR 03 Diver Black Steel and the BR 03 White Steel timepieces feature steel unidirectional-rotating bezels with a black ceramic insert, while the BR 03 Diver Blue Steel features the 60-minute diving scale against deep blue ceramic. The first 15 minutes are indicated clearly on the bezel, and the watch is resistant upto 300m. All markings on the bezel are filled with Super-LumiNova for better legibility, unlike the previous BR 03-92 Diver. Numerals on this updated bezel are also considerably sharper than the BR 03-92 watches.

Dials on the steel timepieces display a sunray brushed finish in black, blue or white, and applied indexes are generously filled with white Super-LumiNova with a green glow. It is on the dial that the most striking difference between the first and second generations of the BR 03 Diver appears. Skeletonised and arrow-shaped, these new timekeeping hands are filled with lume. A small change, such as the shape of the hands, makes a huge impact on legibility, especially in darkened conditions such as underwater.

Contemporary Ceramic Divers: The New Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver

Two references of the new BR 03 Diver timepieces display the brand’s matt black ceramic cases sized at 42mm, and matching ceramic bezels. On the BR 03 Diver Black Matte and the BR 03 Diver Full Lum, the stealth aesthetic of case and bezel highlight the 60-minute diving scale in white and filled with lume. This contrast is mirrored on the dial of the BR 03 Diver Black Matte where skeletonised indexes and arrow shaped hands stand out, letting the white Super-LumiNova within play hero.

Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver Black Matt Dive watches ceramic watches black dial square watches — On the BR 03 Diver Black Matte timepiece, the stealth aesthetic of the case and bezel highlights the lume-filled 60-minute diving scale on the matching ceramic bezel

What used to be a limited edition, the BR 03 Diver Full Lum now has a permanent place in the brand’s catalogue. Against a dial covered entirely in pale blue lume, indexes and hands stand out even in dim lighting for the bright green light emitted by white Super-LumiNova. On the BR 03 Diver watches, both steel and ceramic, a circular date window rests discreetly between the four and five o’clock markers on the dial.

Uber-Functional Divers: The New Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver

The new BR 03 Diver watches are paired with a redesigned textured rubber strap in blue for the BR 03 Diver Blue Steel, and in black for the other references. Additionally, the watches come with a black synthetic fibre strap. Powered by the automatic calibre BR-CAL.302-1, which is an upgrade from the brand’s BR-CAl.302, the Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver watches offer a power reserve of 54 hours.

For Bell & Ross, function of the watch comes before its form. This is abundantly apparent in the new BR 03 Diver line. All the important boxes have been checked as far as dive watches go—legibility at a distance of 25cm, water resistance, a unidirectional rotating bezel, and accuracy. The result is a highly functional dive watch with great aesthetics, more so for the matt black variations.