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Bold and innovative, the new BR-X5 Blue Lum adorned with titanium and photoluminescence materials is now making waves in town. Thanks to a unique construction process and proven mastery of luminescence, Bell & Ross offers contemporary watch enthusiasts a powerful and original timepiece to enjoy both day and night.
This limited edition of 500 pieces follows the BR-X5 Green Lum launched last year. The LUM saga continues.
BR-X5 BLUE LUM
The Boldness of Visible Innovation Pushing concepts further is one of Bell & Ross’s strengths. Invested in research and innovation, particularly in luminescence, the Franco-Swiss watchmaking house sought to go beyond the dial and offer a watch with an entirely luminescent case.
To achieve this, Bell & Ross engineers developed a new material, LM3D. This luminescent component, already present in the BR-X5 Green Lum, is made from quartz fibres and luminescent material that emits a bright, tinted light. The new BR-X5 Blue Lum offers a new chromatic variation with its powerful blue light emissions.
A Powerful and Conceptual Design
The BR-X5 family of watches has a mission: to push the design in service of watchmaking performance to its peak, a concept that is at the core of Bell & Ross’ philosophy. While the BR-05 line speaks a contemporary, sophisticated, and urban language, the BR-X5 collection perfectly embodies the idea of pushing the power of design further.
“With the BR-X5, we wanted to push technical and aesthetic limits,” said Bruno Belamich, Creative Director of the brand.
To serve this ambition, the multi-layer construction of the 41 mm case alternates between LM3D, a photoluminescent composite material, and black DLC micro-blasted grade 2 titanium, a technical material reminiscent of the aeronautical world. The watch’s architecture plays the card of lightness without disregarding its robust character. Carved from a block of titanium, the container housing the mechanism is inserted between two shields shaped in LM3D, emitting a powerful blue luminescence.
Optimal Readability Day and Night
The intention of the BR-X5 Blue Lum is clear: readability is central. Inside the luminescent case, the matte black dial, protected by an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, offers a base of clear contrast. All graduations are precise and clearly visible from the hour and minute indexes including the sub-dial for the three-day power reserve at nine O’clock and the date window at three O’clock. The skeletonised hour and minute hands also offer enhanced visibility, filled with Super-LumiNova. The result is spectacular both day and night.
Mastery of Luminescence
Bell & Ross has been a pioneer in democratising luminescence and enhancing its power as an innovative and distinguishing style element. Initially confined to a practical function, the luminescence of hands or indexes was an asset for watches intended for use in the dark, particularly for scuba diving or in an airplane cockpit.
Appearing in the 1930s, thanks to radium, luminous indications opened new horizons. However, radium had limited qualitiessince the luminous emissions of this mildly toxic, radioactive substance were time limited. Engineers and watchmakers engaged in continuous research to improve their processes. The introduction of Super-LumiNova in 1993 was a significant step. Wanting to go further, Bell & Ross conceived an original concept to amplify the power of light.
Initiated with the BR 03-92 Horolum in 2017, followed by the BR 03-92 Nightlum a year later, the Lum line is characterised by the exceptional luminescence of numbers, indexes, and hands.
In 2019, Bell & Ross went even further with the BR 03-92 Full Lum, this time featuring a dial entirely coated with Super-LumiNova, highlighting the indications through contrast. Working on chromatic effects, the watchmaking house presented in 2020 the BR 03-92 Grey Lum, emitting a particularly intense green glow reminiscent of runway lighting, then the BR 03-92 Diver Full Lum combining various shades of luminescence, light green, and pale yellow on its dial.
In 2021, the limited-edition vintage BR V2-94 Full Lum brought a new vision to the subject by showing that the Full Lum concept could perfectly marry the refined aesthetics of classic watches. In 2022, the BR V2-92 FULL LUM offered a new ultra-luminescent proposal for a three-hand watch, and last year the BR-X5 Green Lum inaugurated the unprecedented construction of the luminescent case combining titanium and the photoluminescent composite material LM3D.
A High-Performance Manufacture Movement
Each Bell & Ross watch is designed as a high-performance instrument for professional use. Betting on innovation and precision, the BR-X5 collection is equipped with a high-precision movement specially made for Bell & Ross.
The BR-CAL.323 automatic mechanical movement beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and has a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. A movement equipped with a personalized oscillating weight design inspired by a sports car rim and a variable inertia balance, visible through a large sapphire case back.
Another asset of this manufacture movement is a quick date correction device allowing adjustment at any time. These performance features are attested as this calibre, guaranteed for five years, is certified as a chronometer by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute).
