New and reviewed: Bell & Ross BR 05 GMT Sky Blue

Bell & Ross adds to their BR05 GMT collection a new model with a sky blue dial in a beautiful sunray finish. We received a pre-release model for photography and to peruse, and here is our hands-on review.

New and reviewed: Bell & Ross BR 05 GMT Sky Blue

The new Bell & Ross BR 05 GMT Sky Blue will retail at SGD 7,100 in the rubber strap, and SGD 7,900 with the stainless steel bracelet as reviewed. Price includes GST.

What remains unchanged: the case, bracelet and movement

The case, bracelet (and strap in the model in blue rubber strap) remains unchanged. In fact, this is the exact same watch as we reviewed earlier., see here for the comprehensive review of the BR 05 GMT launch model in 2021 with a black dial and red accented GMT hand. A white model was added in 2022. And now, this latest addition is in a beautiful blue dial.

The movement is the same BR-CAL.325, and features a full 360° oscillating weight as the automatic winding rotor. This movement is a derivative of the Sellita SW330-1 . The same signature full circle rotor is visible. And through it, the movement. 

What’s new: the dial

What is new is the dial. The dial takes on the blue tint which according to BR calls a celebration of the coming together of the azure sky and blue planet. We must say, examining the actual watch on hand, the dial is a very beautiful blue, with a textured matte finish on the surface, but over a sunray burst from the center. The usual dial elements – the Bell & Ross brand nomenclature and declaration that this is a GMT Automatic, the appliqué hour markers and transfer printed minute track remain unchanged, but executed in white. The 24 hour markers printed on the rehaut is now in white over blue for the night hours, and blue over silver for daylight hours.

And the accent on the 24 hour GMT hand is now in a pale blue instead of red in the launch model.

and the lume remains unchanged, mostly

The lume on BR watches have always been excellent. The very bright SuperLumiNova and superb legibility is retained. Tough in our photograph, the lume looks blue instead of green in the launch model. The Bell & Ross release literature makes no mention of this change.

As a travel watch, the lume cannot be over-emphasised. In the darkness of a aeroplane cabin, or a hotel room somewhere in the world, it is instantly legible, and the markings are clear and unambiguous, even to the weary traveller.

Concluding thoughts

The functionality of the BR 05 GMT remains the same. As does the handsome good looks which is a good fit for living the urban lifestyle both at home and when travelling. The blue is quite mesmerising, and this is certainly a good looking watch.

The BR 05 GMT collection has seen a price increase across the board and the entire collection, including the older models and the new Sky Blue is now at SGD 7.1k/7.9k.