However, having cemented their watchmaking prestige in the domain of professional airspace, Bell & Ross leapt out
of their comfort zone. In 2009 they became one of the first watchmakers to create a skull watch. The BR 01 Skull
includes skull and crossbones in the company’s iconic “circle in square” case. Breaking with the tradition the watch
doesn’t belong to any set family, but in a twist has created one all on its own. The family now has ten members. The
newest update is actually the “public version” of the BR 01 Cyber Skull Only Watch, with one key difference.
Fetching CHF 220,000 when the hammer went down at the biannual auction in Geneva, instead of the vivid orange skull
echoing the colours of Only Watch, 2021, the faceted skull is now transparent.
Continuing down that same path, and incorporating the sharper case design of the BR Cyber Skull, virtually everything
becomes transparent with this watch. Paying homage to the ultra-modern world of informatics and virtual technology
with its pixilated design, it is visually avant-garde. Its angular design, reminiscent of the ancestral Japanese art
of paper folding is a nod to Origami.
Made almost entirely of clear sapphire crystal, the Cyber Skull Sapphire has a sci-fi look, and unlike their
typically functional watches destined for professional airspace, this model is the UFO of the watchmaking world. The
timepiece plays the transparency card to the full, including in the translucent rubber strap.
This high-end watch boasts a BR-CAL.209 automaton movement. Specifically developed for the watch, this manual-wind
skeleton calibre is almost invisible. The skeleton form reveals some of the interesting technical parts including
the cogs, balance and more. The plate and bridges follow the outline of the skull before extending below the
crossbones. The spring balance placed at “twelve o’clock” symbolises the brain in this skull which is very much
alive.
Presented as a limited edition of ten pieces, the watch is available exclusively at Bell & Ross Burlington Arcade
Boutique and through their website at a price of £89,000 each.
Tech Specs
Movement: calibre BR-CAL.209. hand-wound mechanical Manufacture. Skeletonised, rhodium-plated main
plate and bridges. 21 jewels. 28,800 vph. Incabloc shock protection system. 48-hour power reserve.
Crystal: sapphire with anti-reflective coating with logo and 12 engraved indices.
Functions: hours and minutes. Moving skull when wound by hand. Water-resistance: 30 metres.
Case: length 43.50 mm, width 45 mm. Sapphire. Faceted polished steel crown. Sapphire case back.
Strap: Translucent rubber strap with BR embossing – black PVD coated steel pin buckle
Dial: skeletonised faceted sapphire. Faceted sapphire skull. Balance at 12 o’clock.
