Bell & Ross

{{Short description|French luxury watchmaker noted for its Swiss-made chronographs}}

{{Infobox company

|name = Bell & Ross

|logo = File:Bell and Ross.svg

|type = Private

|foundation = {{start date and age|1994}}, in Paris, France

|founder = Bruno Belamich
Carlos Rosillo

|location_city = Paris

|location_country =France

|location =

|locations =

|key_people =

|area_served =

|industry = Watch manufacturing

|products = Wristwatches

|services =

|owner =

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|homepage = {{URL|https://www.bellross.com}}

|dissolved =

|footnotes =

}}

Bell & Ross is a French watch company based in Paris with manufacturing in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.[https://www.hodinkee.com/brands/bell---ross Bell & Ross] Hodinkee, hodinkee.com, accessed 10/23/2018 Founded in 1994, the company has specialized in Swiss Made watches for professional users such as divers and pilots.{{cite book|author1=Gene Stone|author2=Stephen Pulvirent|title=The Watch, Thoroughly Revised|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G9ZQDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT179|date=13 November 2018|publisher=Abrams|isbn=978-1-68335-335-5|pages=179–}}

History and production

File:Bell-and-Ross MG 2644.jpg

Bell & Ross was founded in 1994 as a university project between Bruno Belamich (Bell) and Carlos A. Rosillo (Ross).[https://www.thegentlemansjournal.com/article/behind-the-brand-bell-ross/ Behind the brand: Bell & Ross: What you need to know about the luxury watch house] Josh Lee, Gentleman's Journal, The company's watches were originally produced by the German company Sinn, but the partnership was dissolved in 2002 soon after Chanel became a minority shareholder, and production was subsequently moved to Switzerland. Starting with its model BR-01 in 2005, the company began producing square watches meant to resemble instruments found in aircraft cockpits, The company's square-cased BR models became its most well-known design.[https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/a-military-style-watch-ready-for-battle-or-the-boardroom-2821763/ A Military-Style Watch Ready for Battle or the Boardroom] John Lyon, Robb Report, October 8, 2018 The company divides production among three types of watches: Aviation, Marine and Vintage.[https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/bell-ross-launches-new-website-easy-on-the-eyes-not-easy-on Bell & Ross Launches New Website] Hodinkee, Jason Heaton, May 18, 2011 The types of watches differ by the size and shape of the case, the movement, and the dial layout.{{cite web|last1=Stern|first1=Jared Paul|title=Bell & Ross + Renault F1 Join Forces For Racy Watch Collab|url=https://www.maxim.com/style/bell-and-ross-x-renault-f1|access-date=2 December 2020|website=maxim.com|date=29 June 2020 |publisher=Maxim}}

Associations

In 1992, Bell & Ross started supplying pilot watches to the French air force.[https://www.esquire.com/uk/watches/amp34458777/bell-and-ross-br-05-chronograph/ If You Want a Technical Watch, You Want the New Bell & Ross BR 05] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126205615/https://www.esquire.com/uk/watches/amp34458777/bell-and-ross-br-05-chronograph/ |date=2020-11-26 }} Esquire, 23 October 2020 The company is the official watch supplier to the Escadron de Chasse 2/4 La Fayette and the French space program.

In 2016, Bell & Ross began working with the Renault Sport Formula 1 Team.{{Cite news|date=2016-02-11|title=Bell & Ross partner with Renault Sport Formula One Team|url=https://timeandtidewatches.com/news-bell-ross-partner-with-renault-sport-formula-one-team/|access-date=2022-01-11|newspaper=Time+Tide Watches|language=en-AU |last1=Zachariah |first1=Ben }} This partnership lead to Bell & Ross creating special edition timepieces to signify their relationship with Renault. As Renault rebranded to Alpine F1 Team, Bell & Ross remained with Renault and released the Alpine F1 Team Watch Collection.{{Cite web|last=Mike|date=2021-06-18|title=Bell & Ross Marks The Return Of Alpine To F1 With Alpine F1 Team Watch Collection|url=https://mikeshouts.com/bell-ross-alpine-f1-team-watch-collection/|access-date=2022-01-11|website=Shouts|language=en-US}}

Records

The Bell & Ross Vintage 123 Heure Sautante was the first jumping hour watch with power reserve. It was introduced in 1992.[https://www.ablogtowatch.com/bell-ross-ww1-heure-sautante-watches-hands-on/ Bell & Ross WWI Heure Sautante Watches Hands-On] A Blog to Watch, Ariel Adams, July 31, 2012

The Bell & Ross Space 1 was the first automatic chronometer to be worn in space in 1994.{{cite web |last1=Sheldrake |first1=Russell |title=How Bell & Ross became the choice watch for eccentric gentlemen |url=https://www.thegentlemansjournal.com/article/bell-ross-watches-history/ |website=thegentlemansjournal.com |publisher=Gentleman's Journal}}

In 1998 the Bell & Ross Hydromax 11 100 M set the Guinness World Record for wristwatch water-resistance at 11,000 metres below sea level.