There's a moment in every serious collector's journey when a watch ceases to be merely a tool for telling time and transforms into something else entirely—a kinetic sculpture, a statement of horological ambition, a glimpse into the very soul of mechanical watchmaking. The new Bell & Ross BR-X3 Tourbillon Micro-Rotor is precisely that kind of watch.
A Radical Departure
Since 1994, Bell & Ross has built its reputation on legibility, functionality, and precision—values borrowed from aeronautical cockpit instruments. But with the BR-X3 Tourbillon Micro-Rotor, Creative Director Bruno Belamich has charted a dramatically different course.
"It's a signature watch that concentrates all of Bell & Ross' watchmaking know-how, expertise, and design," he explains.
Here, reading the time becomes secondary to witnessing the hypnotic ballet of mechanical artistry itself.
Transparency as Philosophy
The BR-X3's 40 mm square steel case represents a radical reinterpretation of Bell & Ross's signature architecture. Constructed from satin-finished, polished steel, paired with a sapphire crystal on both the top and the case back, the watch achieves near-complete transparency. The case and movement are structurally interconnected, held together by four iconic screws. At just 9 mm thick, this creates an unobstructed viewing chamber for one of watchmaking's most coveted complications.
The skeletonized architecture draws inspiration from Piet Mondrian's geometric abstraction and Charlotte Perriand's refined functionality. Straight horizontal and vertical lines create a rigorous composition throughout the mechanical space, while 26 rubies punctuate this geometry with deep red brilliance.
The time display with a sapphire cyrstal fumé dial, offset at 2 o'clock, shows only hours and minutes—deliberately simplified to free space for the mechanical spectacle. Brushed bridges create linear reflections, while polished edges define contours with surgical precision.
The Mechanical Ballet
At the heart beats the manufacture BR-CAL.389 calibre, combining two major Haute Horlogerie complications. The flying tourbillon, positioned at 5:30, represents Abraham-Louis Breguet's legendary invention—a rotating cage completing one full revolution per minute to compensate for gravity's effects on the balance spring. In its flying configuration, without an upper bridge, the tourbillon appears to float, creating constant visual fascination.
The micro-rotor—the second complication—enables automatic winding while preserving the 9 mm case thickness. This miniaturized oscillating weight sits within the movement's plane rather than above it, a far more complex engineering solution that delivers 58 hours of power reserve without compromising slimness.
On the Wrist & Price
Despite its haute complications and sapphire construction, the BR-X3 wears remarkably well. The 40 mm square case provides substantial presence without overwhelming the wrist, while the grey alligator leather strap with folding steel buckle ensures comfort and refinement. The sapphire crystal features anti-reflective coating for unobstructed views in any lighting, and water resistance is rated to 50 meters.
Bell & Ross is producing just 25 pieces of the BR-X3 Tourbillon Micro-Rotor ref. BRX3M-TRB-ST/SCR. This watch represents the brand's bold entry into the haute horlogerie segment—pricing that reflects both the complications involved and the limited production run.
For collectors who've followed Bell & Ross from its professional instrument roots, the BR-X3 represents the brand's most accomplished achievement yet—a watch that synthesizes design innovation, mechanical complexity, and artistic vision into a singular statement piece.
This isn't trying to be a tool watch. It occupies an entirely different space where mechanical artistry takes precedence, where transparency becomes a philosophical statement about the beauty of haute horlogerie. It's a watch that invites contemplation, rewards examination, and transforms a simple glance at the time into an opportunity to witness mechanical perfection in motion.
Sticker Price USD 99,000. For more info on Bell & Ross, click here.
