With the BR-X1 Skeleton Tourbillon Sapphire, Bell & Ross introduced an open-worked calibre ensconced within a transparent sapphire case, highlighting the brand’s capability of working with high horology materials like Richard Mille. Their newest follow up with the high tech material, the Bell & Ross BR-X2 Skeleton Tourbillon Micro-Rotor Limited Edition takes the knowledge gained from other “experimental: (hence the ‘X’ suffix) editions from the Paris headquartered brand and according to Creative Director Bruno Belamich, “Fuses the case and movement into a single component to make the case disappear, leaving just the movement visible.”

Bell & Ross BR-X2 Skeleton Tourbillon Micro-Rotor Limited Edition

Last year, Bell & Ross released the second generation of its “Experimental” collection: the BR-X2 Tourbillon Micro-Rotor model, where the case and movement form a single element. The Bell & Ross BR-X2 Skeleton Tourbillon Micro-Rotor watch takes this concept further, while it doesn’t quite approach the extremes (or costs) taken with the BR-X1 Skeleton Tourbillon, the latest BR-X2 pushes the boundaries with a complicated yet pared down limited edition perfectly illustrates our idea of contemporary Haute Horlogerie, with the movement showcased as a masterpiece within contemporary, post-modern design. The mechanism is brought to the forefront, while the case disappears.

Bell & Ross designed the BR-X2 Skeleton Tourbillon Micro-Rotor to make maximum use with an exceptional, minimalist square movement, the manufacture calibre BR-CAL.381, which adopts the brand’s iconic signature square and then sets the calibre between two sapphire crystal plates, linked by a narrow band of steel machined as a single piece, to ensure unrestricted visibility. What results, is a BR-X2 with a virtually invisible case and a skeletonized dial which exposes the ballet of Skeleton Tourbillon Micro-Rotor and its accompanying tiny inner component.

“Fusing the case and movement into a single component to make the case disappear, leaving just the movement visible.” – Bruno Belamich, Bell & Ross Creative Director

For a skeleton movement, the challenge of the Bell & Ross BR-X2 Skeleton Tourbillon Micro-Rotor was two-fold. First, remove as much material as possible whilst ensuring the model’s mechanical constraints are respected. Second, decorate and finish the multitude of exposed bridges and surfaces on the calibre.  The 4.05 mm extra-thin movement reasserts Bell & Ross standing among some of the most innovative names in the world of Haute Horlogerie.

Simplicity and elegance, the Skeleton Tourbillon Micro-Rotor is dressed with a grey alligator strap and SuperLuminova-filled indices and hour and minute hands.  Limited edition of 50 pieces, the latest Bell & Ross BR-X2 enables owners to experience the unique sensation of wearing a watch movement on the wrist.

50 Limited Edition BR-X2 Skeleton Tourbillon Micro-Rotor Price and Specs

Movement Automatic calibre BR-CAL.381 with 48 hours power reserve
Case 42.5 mm polished satin steel and sapphire with 50 metres water resistance
Strap Grey alligator
Price S$115,00 or US$79,000