Although Bell & Ross is arguably best known for its aviation instrument-inspired design language, the brand also produces a collection of dive watches, and for its latest release of 2024, Bell & Ross has unveiled a new generation of its BR 03 Diver. The recently announced lineup spans five different models, which include three stainless steel references, along with two that have black ceramic cases, and while this latest generational update is very much an evolutionary refinement of the previous series, the new Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver watches benefit from several notable updates that separate them from their direct predecessors.
At the time of launch, the three stainless steel models from the new Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver collection include the black ref. BR03A-D-BL-ST/SRB, white ref. BR03A-D-WH-ST/SRB, and blue ref. BR03A-D-BLU-ST/SRB, and aside from the colors of their various components, the three new stainless steel BR 03 Diver models are otherwise entirely identical. Meanwhile, the two versions with black ceramic cases are the ref. BR03A-D-BL-CE/SRB with a matching matte black dial and the “Full Lum” ref. BR03A-D-LM-CE/SRB, which represents the top-of-the-line model from the updated generation, and it features a fully luminous dial that appears in a pale shade of blue.
Just like the previous generation of BR 03-92 watches, the new Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver models feature the brand’s signature “circle within a square” profile, and they measure 42mm wide with 300 meters of water resistance. Additionally, while the new models still feature flat anti-reflective sapphire crystals protecting their dials, along with unidirectional timing bezels, solid casebacks, and screw-down crowns at the 3 o’clock position, the bezel inserts fitted to the new generation of BR 03 Diver watches are now crafted from ceramic (rather than anodized aluminum), which offers a more refined overall appearance and promises superior resistance to scratches and corrosion.
The dials fitted to the new Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver models largely follow the same design and layout as what can be found among their direct predecessors from the BR 03 Diver series, and they feature applied luminous hour markers, an angled chapter ring containing the minute track, and a circular date window with a color-matched calendar disc appearing at the 4:30 position. A few subtle updates have been made to enhance the legibility of the display, including slightly larger hour markers and revised typography, although the single most noticeable difference is the updated shape of the handset, which now features an hour hand with a large arrow-shaped tip to further promote at-a-glance access to the time.
Just as you would expect from a dive watch that is compliant with ISO 6425 standards, all of the hands and hour markers on the new Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver models are finished with luminous material. Additionally, while the aluminum bezel inserts fitted to the previous generation only featured luminous dots to denote their zero markers, the ceramic bezel inserts on the new BR 03 Divers have the entirety of their 60-minute timing scales finished with Super-LumiNova to allow them to more easily track elapsed time in the dark. While green-glowing Super-LumiNova is exclusively used on four of the five new models, the ceramic “Full Lum” version features blue-glowing lume throughout its dial surface, while the rest of its markings emit a green-colored glow in the dark.
Internally, the new Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver models also receive an update, and powering the new generation is the brand’s Caliber BR-CAL.302-1 automatic movement. Similar to the BR-CAL.302 that can be found inside the previous generation of the BR 03 Diver, the BR-CAL.302-1 is based upon the core architecture of the venerable Sellita SW300. With that in mind, the Bell & Ross BR-CAL.302-1 is derived from the updated version of this highly popular Swiss movement that benefits from an optimized barrel and mainspring design, and while it still runs at a frequency of 28,800vph (4 Hz), the BR-CAL.302-1 offers an extended power reserve of 54 hours, compared to the 42 hours of autonomy provided by the previous generation.
Similar to the previous series, the new Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver models come as a set with both a two-piece rubber strap and a nylon Velcro-style strap, although the straps have been redesigned to better suit a wider range of wrist sizes. Although the lug width of the BR 03 Diver is 24mm, the sides of the straps extend to meet the outer edges of the lugs, and this creates somewhat of a cuff-like presence and a visually larger overall package. Additionally, black appears to be the only color available for the Velcro strap, and while four of the five new models receive matching black rubber straps, the blue dial stainless steel model is paired with a dark blue rubber strap to match its dial and bezel insert.
Due to their ceramic bezels and updated movements, the new Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver models cost a minimum of several hundred dollars more than similar watches from the previous generation, with the trio of stainless steel models priced at $4,400 USD, the standard black ceramic version coming in at $4,990 USD, and the “Full Lum” variant with its ceramic case and fully luminous dial being the most expensive with an official retail price of $5,400 USD. While this latest price increase brings the BR 03 collection firmly into the mid-four-figure category, the additional surcharge for a ceramic case seems rather reasonable compared to the new entry price for the collection, and this update has been a long time coming, as features such as ceramic bezels and extended power reserves have largely become expected from brands at this price point. For more information on the Bell & Ross BR 03 Diver collection, please visit the brand’s website.
