Bell & Ross Celebrates its Formula 1 Partnership with the Limited Edition BR-X1 RS16

Bell & Ross presents its exclusive BR‑X1 RS16 to celebrate the exciting partnership with Renault Sport Formula One Team at Pirelli Chinese Grand Prix this month.

Bell & Ross, the ultimate reference in aeronautical watches, has now added racecar drivers to its list of professional users.

As the Official Watch Partner of the Renault Sport Formula One Team, Bell & Ross continues to celebrate this partnership at the Formula 1 Pirelli Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.

The 5.4 km Shanghai International Circuit, famous for its demanding changes of acceleration in winding turns and high-speed straights, will be an exciting arena for the release of a new limited edition watch: the BR‑X1 RS16 Skeleton Chronograph, named after the team’s new R.S. 16 race car for the 2016 season and exclusively available for retail at selective Grand Prix.

The Grand Prix race week in Shanghai is the perfect place to officially present Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer, with their engraved BR‑X1 RS16 Skeleton Chronograph watches. On the event organized by Renault to be held on Wednesday, April 13, at Bar Rouge Shanghai, Fabien de Nonancourt – Bell & Ross’ Global Sales Director – will be on stage to equip the drivers with their personalized timepieces, featuring their names and numbers in “Renault Life” typography.

Carlos A. Rosillo, CEO and co-founder of Bell & Ross, adds: “We are very proud of Kevin and Jolyon’s performance so far, and of the entire Renault Sport’s team in this new challenge. We are very excited to have Fabien de Nonancourt in Shanghai, presenting these two excellent drivers with their personally engraved BR‑X1 RS16 watches. Renault Sport Formula One Team and Bell & Ross have the common goal of pushing the limits of mechanics, which it is well represented in these limited edition timepieces. It is a very exciting and rewarding partnership!”

As a reflection of our passion for continually innovating and overcoming new challenges, the choice of the model was obvious and makes it the perfect commemorative piece for this partnership. The Bell & Ross’ BR-X1 line is the extreme version of the iconic BR01, just like the Formula One is the ultimate version of a car.”

Cyril Abiteboul, Managing Director of Renault Sport Formula OneTeam, comments: “The collaboration with Bell & Ross was born out of passion for mechanical engineering, speed and precision and is a value partnership for both sides. We share an interest in small details and the conviction that every millisecond counts.”

The BR-X1 RS16 Skeleton Chronograph was created to withstand extreme conditions. It is an armored, ingenious, robust and technical watch that stands out thanks to the innovative design of its 45mm multi-material case. Using materials like grade 5 titanium and Carbone Forgé – a high-tech composite material – the BRX1 is a very lightweight, yet incredibly strong watch prepared for the impacts of this extreme field.

Carbone Forgé is a material obtained using a unique, patented conversion process. The technology behind the process involves compressing carbon fibers with a thermosetting resin at high temperature in a steel mold. To meet watchmaking quality criteria, the engineers have reworked the carbon fibers and the composition of the resin. The result is a non-porous, water-resistant single-unit case with clean edges, in a deep black, which is the color of the carbon fibers. The marbled appearance of each piece is unique thanks to the random way the carbon fibers are mixed. The matt finish reduces reflection for better legibility and makes it soft to the touch.

Made from grey-tinted sapphire crystal and featuring appliqué metal indices with photo-luminescent inserts, the dial forms a clear window through which the exceptional movement can be admired. The faceted, Superluminova-filled hands and appliqué indices offer perfect legibility. A yellow rubber grip has also been integrated to the case to ensure better handling when activating the chronograph’s functions, even when wearing gloves.

As a subtle reference to the color associated with Renault Sport’s Formula 1 Team and the racing car field, the timepiece displays yellow rubber inserts on the crown and the rocker push buttons.

Embodying the very essence of the “automotive watch,” the BR-X1 RS16 Skeleton Chronograph, a high-tech chronograph with a sporty yet sophisticated design, is perfection when measuring short time intervals. Its innovative rocker push buttons, used to activate the chronograph functions, are made from high-tech ceramic with ergonomically designed yellow rubber inserts Essential for calculating speeds, the tachymeter scale appears on the dark grey flange. To improve legibility, the hands of the chronograph are brought out in yellow: it is an indispensable tool for driving.

Production of the BR-X1 RS16 Skeleton Chronograph is limited to 250 pieces.

BR-X1 RS16 Skeleton Chronograph

Technical Specifications

Movement: mechanical automatic. BR-CAL.313. “X”-shaped upper bridge. 56 jewels, 28,800 vph. Skeleton chronograph.

Crystal: anti-reflective sapphire.

Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds at 3 o'clock. Skeleton date at 6 o'clock. Chronograph: 30-min timer at 9 o'clock, central chronograph seconds. Tachymeter scale on the flange.

Water-resistance: 100m

Case: 45mm diameter. Carbone Forgé®, grade 5 titanium and ceramic with rubber inserts. Rocker push-buttons. Back with opening in tinted sapphire crystal, centred on the balance.

Straps: woven rubber and bi-material: rubber and carbon fiber

Dial: grey-tinted sapphire crystal. Metal appliqué indices with Superluminova inserts. Metal skeleton Superluminova-filled hour and minute hands. Aluminium 30-min chronograph timer disc.

Buckle: pin. Black PVD steel finish and rubber insert.

Limited Edition: 250 pieces