ReviewFrozen In Time: The Bell & Ross BR 01 Cyber Skull Sapphire Ice Blue
On the heels of the BR 01 Cyber Skull in bronze comes the sapphire ice blue edition, which, though not as eerie, offers its own take on the avant-garde skull watch design
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Parisian watchmakers Bell & Ross have made a name for themselves for delivering excellent time ‘instruments’ that quite simply get the job done—in exquisite fashion, might we add. Every once in a while, though, they put on a show that not many expect, and the BR 01 Cyber Skull Sapphire Ice Blue is exactly that.
It’s almost as if there are two sides to the brand. One that produces highly practical and ‘serious’ timepieces, such as the recently unveiled Diver Tara, (in association with the Tara Océan Foundation) and the other that’s not afraid to embrace a more creative side. To be honest, that’s why we admire the brand. After all, being consistently one-dimensional leaves a lot of unexplored territory, which a reputable name such as Bell & Ross shouldn’t leave out. Let’s take a closer look at the new Sapphire Ice Blue Cyber Skull from Bell & Ross.
Behind The Ethereal Grin: The Uniqueness Of The Cyber Skull Sapphire Ice Blue
First things first, let’s uncover the watch. This timepiece is the latest member in the brand’s collection of rare watches (including the Cyber Skull in bronze). The design is similar, and it takes inspiration from the aesthetics of certain stealth bombers.
The 45mm case of the watch is water-resistant to 30m, and more importantly, completely transparent. In the bronze version, the case is made of the same material as the skull, which adds a uniform character to the watch. With the Sapphire Ice Blue though making the case in the same hue as the skull may have been a bit too out there. Though sapphire is a notoriously difficult material to work with, especially while crafting cases, the result in this case is an absolute winner.
A transparent, soft silicone strap wraps the watch around your wrist, which in our eyes, maintains the theme perfectly. Within the case is the hand-wound calibre BR-CAL.209, with a 48-hour power reserve, much of whose components are hidden behind the skull itself. Among the biggest pulls of the watch is that once you wind it, the lower part of the jaw moves, almost like death is laughing at your face. Spooky!
With just 25 pieces, the timepiece is bound to be a special edition in the ultra-exclusive watch club.
The Skull, The Ice, And Everything Nice: What The Details Of The Sapphire Ice Blue Signify
Other than just looking like an interesting piece of art on your wrist, there’s a significant meaning behind the skull motif, which drives the Parisian brand to keep experimenting with it. It is well known as an expression of the philosophical theme of vanity, associated with the passing of time, life and death.
Interestingly, it’s also a tribute to the Special Forces units with whom Bell & Ross have a longstanding history. The elite troops and paratroopers have made the skull motif an emblem of sorts to ward off bad luck.
With an ice-blue skull, the brand hopes to personify such courage on these Cyber Skull timepieces. “If boldness had to have a colour, it would be blue for sure,” Bell & Ross stated. The BR 01 Cyber Skull Sapphire Ice Blue stands as a symphony of design and craftsmanship, which is a delight to see when it comes in such interesting designs. With a captivating narrative of time, life, and death behind it, the brand’s exploration continues to provide top-notch watches.
