ReviewThe Aviation Pacesetter – Bell & Ross BR 03-51 GMT Carbon

Over the last few months, I have read up on numerous watch brands and have been mighty impressed by all of them. But there’s one brand, the mere mention of which makes me want to pick up my bags, travel the world and soar the skies. For anyone who loves aviation and travelling, Bell & Ross leaves them feeling the same way. It’s this very charm of Bell & Ross that sets it apart from other watch brands. The world famous Aviation collection from Bell & Ross, falls within the significant category of timepieces that actually made aviation and cockpit instruments an important inspiration for the watch making industry. And keeping in mind the eternal traveller’s needs, the brand created the Bell & Ross BR 03-51 GMT Carbon which combines excellence, precision and performance all in one watch. Inspired by the aircraft cockpit and based on Bell & Ross’s four fundamental principles: legibility, functionality, precision and water-resistance, the BR 03-51 GMT Carbon is nothing less than iconic.

For the love of aviation

Given the look and features of the watch, it is evidently every pilot’s delight. The 42 mm black PVD-finish steel case, that mimics the shape of a cockpit instrument, is enhanced by a black dial with GMT function (responsible for displaying two time zones). The white hour and minutes hands indicate the time in the country you are in, while the counter at 6 o’clock indicates the time in your home country via the orange and white hour and minute hands respectively. For the benefit of travellers, the watch is also equipped with a big date at 12 o’clock. The big date feature is accompanied by quick correction.

Legibility is crucial for every pilot and this factor is optimally provided in the watch, given that the hands, index markers and the date window have a photo-luminescent coating. Both, the orange heavy duty canvas strap as well as the black rubber one look sporty and enhance the look of the watch. However, there’s more to the use of two colours on the watch, than just an aesthetic angle. Two core colours are typically incorporated in cockpits – matte black for its anti-reflective properties and white for its extreme legibility. Orange – reserved for essential information, also has an indispensable presence.

For the traveller in you

For the benefit of the long-haul traveller looming inside you, the watch houses an essential feature that we mentioned earlier, namely a second time-zone display. The GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) function displays the time at two points on the globe. The orange hand, on the sub-dial at 6 o’clock, indicates the time in your home country whereas the hands on the main dial, indicate the time in the country you are in. So now whichever part of the world you venture to, you are just one glance away from your home country.

Styled for the extremes

Bell & Ross has been known to make watches for extremes – required by astronauts, pilots and divers. The BR 03-51 GMT Carbon, decked with astounding features stands the test of time. It features a 42 mm black PVD finish steel case that mimics the shape of a cockpit instrument, an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, it’s powered by a self-winding mechanical movement with a 40-hour power reserve and has a good water resistance of up to 100 metres.

Exceptionally styled and expertly crafted, the GMT Carbon delves into the world of extremes with its highly functional features, and still strikes a balance with its smart looks.

What is your favourite Bell & Ross watch? Let us know in the comments section below!