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Price: $3,900
Availability: Limited to 999 pieces
Case Dimensions: 42mm wide
Movement & Winding: Sellita SW300-1 automatic
Power Reserve: 42 hours
Quick Take: The new BR 03-92 MA-1 watch from Bell & Ross is a tribute to the famous MA-1 military flight jacket that debuted originally in 1958. In orange-lined khaki green nylon, they’re unmistakable and have influenced countless men’s flight jackets over the years. As a brand that has built an identity around aviation, Bell & Ross remains on-brand with the BR 03-92 MA-1 in ceramic with colors to match the iconic jacket.
Who It’s For: Bell & Ross has managed to offer a product that can appeal to multiple demographics, which is always a good idea. There’s a hook for those who know about men’s style and fashion, but the BR 03-92 MA-1 has a masculine enough aesthetic to be broadly appealing even if you can’t necessarily tell an MA-1 from an M-65. Watch lovers can generally appreciate the brand’s unique personality as well as the details and build quality of their watches, and the use of colored ceramic — which can be tricky to get right — adds another level of interest. And, of course, fans of military aviation often gravitate toward the brand’s offerings.
Key Features: Bell & Ross uses a 42mm-wide ceramic case and dial of dark khaki with a matte finish, contrasting with orange lume and other highlights. This “sandwich”-style dial uses a layer of luminescent material on a plate beneath the dial that is visible through the cutout indices or numerals. While orange is not the strongest-glowing amongst the various lume colors, a sandwich dial allows a lot of it to be used — and volume of lume contributes to the brightness and longevity of its glow.
Just as the MA-1 jacket is lined with orange and reversible so it can be used as a beacon in emergencies, Bell & Ross has similarly lined the strap of the BR 03-92 MA-1 in orange and made it reversible — which should at least function as a social beacon. Inside, the Bell & Ross BR 03-92 MA-1 is powered by a Swiss Sellita SW300-1 automatic movement with 42 hours of power reserve. At $3,900, the Bell & Ross BR 03-92 MA-1 is priced in line with previous ceramic-cased watches from the brand and will be limited to 999 pieces.
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