The brand’s provenance in professional diving instruments can be traced back to the revolutionary Bell & Ross Hydromax launched in 1997, depth rated to 11,000 metres. Image: Jonathan for World of Watches

Contrary to a common misconception, Bell & Ross Diver watches have existed since the superlative Bell & Ross Hydromax launched in 1997. Water resistant to 11,100 metres, the Hydromax was a revolutionary step forward in professional diving instruments thanks to its amazing technical innovation: a case filled with a patented transparent flourinated oil, the major contributor to the Bell & Ross Diver being able to withstand 1,110 bars of pressure equivalent to a diving dept of 11,100 metres, surviving the most extreme conditions of deep-sea diving.

It is from this one pivotal diver’s watch that Bell & Ross professional diving instruments traces its provenance. The BR-02 was launched in 2007 while the new BR03 range continues to make strong impressions thanks to its iconic lines and professional diving ratings. Launched in 2018, the Bell & Ross Diver collection is now joined with the BR03-92 Diver Blue and the BR03-92 Diver Bronze. World of Watches was invited to Langkawi to witness the milestone launch.

Bell & Ross Diver Bronze. Image: Shane Tan, Bell & Ross Community Manager

The ocean-side launch of the Bell & Ross was slightly overcast but nevertheless still picturesque.

Bell & Ross BR03-92 Diver Blue and Diver Bronze Launched in Langkawi

Hosted by Ms. Thanuja Ananthan, the launch of the newest additions to the Bell & Ross Diver collection was paired with noted ecologist and brand-lover, Dr. Gerry Goeden. Goeden studies the effects of climate change on endangered coral reefs off the coast of Langkawi, equipped with not just his diving gear but also his trustworthy Bell & Ross professional instruments.

Limited edition of 999 pieces, the Diver Bronze is the second new addition to the Bell & Ross BR03-92 Diver collection. Clad in namesake bronze, the professional diving instrument is evocative of diving historical roots – case in point, the bronze diving helmet on display at the Langkawi resort.

Iron minerals within the face of rock formations just off the coast of Langkawi are responsible for the red streaks. Bronze does not react to salt-water, making it ideal for diving. Image: Jonathan for World of Watches

That said, bronze does develop a unique patina which can be cleansed using lemon juice. Image: Shane Tan, Bell & Ross Community Manager

Bell & Ross took us on an exploratory journey of the Mangroves threatened by severe climate change. Image: Jonathan for World of Watches

Materially, bronze enjoys robust inalterable physical features but aesthetically, it can also gain patina overtime dependent on its environment, achieving a pattern, unique to each Bell & Ross Bronze Diver. The spirit of underwater exploits is further deepened on the BR03-92 Diver Bronze thanks to a special caseback engraved with a vintage diving helmet on a background of wave guilloche engraving.

Meanwhile, the series production BR03-92 Diver and Diver Blue are part of the same family of high performance diving instruments, of which Bell & Ross works with special naval and special units of elite military forces, each designed for its own specialist environments. For diving, the BR03-92 Diver Blue and Diver Bronze have been developed with measurement tools perfectly suited for deep-sea environments – granted, though none as rated as deep as the Hydromax, but admittedly, very few diving instruments are required to go as deep as 11,000 metres.

The Bell & Ross Diver Blue is remarkably robust. This author can attest to dragging the the timepiece through sandy, shallow water and later still being able to operate the bezel smoothly. Image: Jonathan for World of Watches

Legible at depth and operationally robust, the precision Bell & Ross Diver meets the standards of underwater use while benefitting from signature Bell & Ross design. The Bell & Ross Diver collection meets all official criteria required of a true diving watch – the ISO 6425. These technical parameters include water resistance to a minimum depth of 100 metres, the presence of a unidirectional rotating bezel with graduated scale for quick and easy timing, an operation indicator and luminescent markers for legibility in the dark. Supporting these rigorous benchmarks are anti-shock and anti-magnetic protection to allow users of the new Bell & Ross BR03-92 Diver Bronze and Diver Blue timepieces the trust and fidelity in treacherous environments – these professional diving instruments not only meet the required minimums but also exceed them.

Bell & Ross BR93-02 Diver Blue. Image: Jonathan for World of Watches

Bell & Ross BR03-92 Diver Blue and Diver Bronze Price and Specs

Movement: Automatic calibre BR-CAL.302 with 48 hours power reserve
Case 42mm satin polished steel or bronze with 300 metres water resistance
Strap: Rubber
Price: SG$5300 for Diver Blue. SG$5900 for Diver Bronze.