With Flying Colours - Bell and Ross BR-X5 Iridescent

Dial colours are one of the main criteria’s when deciding to buy a new watch, sure we also have style, size, comfort and fit but even if you tick all the previous boxes, when the colour is not right, well, it is a deal breaker.

So, what happens when you have a different dial every time you find a new angle hitting the surface of your new purchase? Immediately, you will feel like you are wearing a different watch.

This is what the team at Bell and Ross decided to do with the new BR-X5 Iridescent, a watch with a dynamic face that can provide new sensations every time you look at it.

The BR-X5 is an important line for Bell and Ross, not only is the first product with their in-house movements but also takes the case construction to another level, I am saying this because adding a new complex dial on top of an already hard to manufacture watch makes things harder, but on the flip side, it also cements what the brand does best: attention to detail and quality. Let’s begin.

The specifications

We are familiar with the BR-X5 case. It’s an integrated design which works well with both bracelets and rubber straps (more on that later). The 41mm case is complex and multifaceted while handling well the finishing transitions, the light plays nicely with the polished surfaces but is not a high polished watch, it’s a tool one. Crown guards and screws dominate the outer part of the BR-X while the star of the show on this particular variant is undoubtedly the dial. At first glance might be seen like an electric blue, but then green hues and purple also make an appearance, if you look at the photos , just a gentle tilt to the right or left and the watch becomes something else.

I manage to handle several variations of the BR-X5 but this layout with this specific colour is to me the best out there. The watch looks futuristic and different, the power reserve countered by the “altimeter” style date creates symmetry while the white details of the markers and hands contrast admirably with the ever changing dial, it’s playful and attractive. This everchanging canvas is achieved by adding different sheets of PVD coating containing, again just adding another layer of complexity to the watch.

As we know from the BR-X5 this watch is power by the calibre BR-CAL.323 which has a power reserve of 70 hours with a 100 meters of water resistance. I quite enjoy the architecture of the movement, it’s nicely finished with sandblasted textures and a very thin skeletonized rotor, feels great when winding and it is also COSC certified.

On the wrist

Being a square watch, the Iridescent feels great in my 6.15 inch wrist, it has a short lug to lug of approximately 46mm and a profile under 13mm, 12.8 to be exact. That said for me the BR-X5 line fits much better when it comes with the rubber strap, the extra mm compared with the the BR-05 line makes it wear a tad big for me so the well made stainless steel bracelet might be too much (again for me).

The iridescent is a watch that makes a statement, and although I am a more reserved person when it comes to watches, I’ve enjoyed my time with this very unique piece. The main reason is because when choosing a watch I dwell too much on nuances such as the color of the second hands, or the subdial placement, but with this Bell and Ross, it was a liberating wearing experience, maybe I need more watches like this in my life.

Also , I feel that the BR-X5 despite being colourful, it can work well in winter and summer alike, this dial can be cold for those chilly days but also ready to the pool when the sun appears, it’s a good act from the brand. Autumn is not ruled out either , it just works.

Conclusions

I am not going to say that this watch is for everyone or that can be considered as 3 watches in 1 because of the colours, but what I can tell you is that the quality mixed with the playfulness of the dial is something that is rarely seen.

The execution again is outstanding and in a time where you are welcome to mix any watch with any attire, well this BR-X5 should be right up your alley.

It does feel that Bell and Ross has gone up on quality , the watches now come with COSC certifications, in house movement and in house designs. This is not a copy or homage from any other watch, it is own thing and a considering this, it feels like a great value proposition.

Technical specifications

MOVEMENT

Calibre BR-CAL.323. Manufacture. Automatic mechanical movement. Approximate power reserve of 70 hours.

FUNCTIONS

Hours, minutes and seconds. Date window at 3 o'clock and power reserve indicator at 9 o'clock.

CASE

41 mm wide. 12.80 mm thick. Satin-finished and polished steel. Screw-down crown. Crown guard. Sapphire case-back with oscillating weight.

DIAL

Iridescent green to purple. Polished, rhodium-plated indices filled with white Super-LumiNova®. Polished, rhodium-plated skeletonized hour and minute hands filled with white Super-LumiNova®. Semi-matt white sweep seconds.

CRYSTAL

Sapphire with anti-reflective coating.

WATER-RESISTANCE

100 metres.

STRAP

Satin-finished and polished steel or white rubber.