
From the cockpit straight to your wrist

Every successful brand story begins with a powerful idea and the determination to turn it into reality.

Bruno Belamich and Carlos Rosillo. The founders of Bell & Ross grew up in the midst of the technological revolution of the 1980s, a period rich in innovation. At that time, these innovations were mainly associated with Japan, a country that offered a glimpse into the future. This progress influenced them as teenagers, and they shared the same passion: a passion for fine watches. While Carlos was completing his master's degree at the prestigious HEC in Paris and working as a strategic consultant for the American agency Strategic Planning Associates, Bruno was studying art at university and designing his first pieces.
His studies took him to Hong Kong, where, by pure chance, he came across a magazine in which he read about a watchmaking company called Sinn. Bruno was very interested in the Sinn brand and during long evenings he couldn't get the company and its work out of his mind. The company's focus on navigation watches and flight instruments invited him to take his first real dive into the fascinating world of aviation. He gained a very clear vision of his future career.
After returning to Europe, where he intended to complete his university studies, he decided to contact Sinn and apply for a job. One thing led to another, and he actually joined the company's team. The company was very satisfied with his intelligence and tenacity, and he even made a strong impression on the company's founder, Helmut Sinn. Nevertheless, Bruno, a new enthusiast and collector, was unable to find watches that met his high standards. So he took matters into his own hands and brought about a significant turning point in his career. He teamed up with his childhood friend, Carlos Rosillo, then only 27 years old, and persuaded him to take a radical step—to bring their shared idea to life. That was in 1992, and since then Carlos-Antonio Rosillo has been the president and CEO of this highly specialized watch brand.

Helmut Sinn, himself a flight instructor and pilot, did not take much persuading and was willing to pass on some of his knowledge and expertise, and ultimately his trust. This trust resulted in the first collection of watches called Bell & Ross by Sinn in 1992. In 1994, the pair created their first own line of watches, bridging the unexplored gap between traditional watches and military equipment.
"It was a combination of two little kids who loved military watches and Mr. Sinn's willingness to teach us."
Their shared vision and desire to create functional yet extremely durable watches changed the world of watchmaking as it was known at the time. They founded the company with $20,000 in their pockets, so they quickly realized they needed financial support. They say that fortune favors the brave, and this was no exception. In 1997, now as the Bell & Ross brand, they decided to approach Chanel about a collaboration. At the first meeting between representatives of both companies, a curious moment occurred: the people from Chanel were wearing Bell & Ross watches. The Chanel building was directly opposite Kenji's store in Manhattan, New York, which was one of the first stores to sell Bell & Ross watches. So Chanel was already well acquainted with the watch brand. And that's where it all began.
A French brand with Swiss craftsmanship
After the merger, watch production gradually moved to Switzerland, marking the beginning of a new era in the brand's more than 30-year history. nbsp;Although the brand has its roots in France, with its headquarters located in the heart of Paris, its production has a place of honor in one of the cradles of Swiss watchmaking, the legendary La Chaux-de-Fonds. Bell & Rose watches have thus acquired the hallmark of Swiss craftsmanship and honest craftsmanship.

Bell & Ross in space and the depths of the ocean
From the very beginning, Bell & Ross has strived to make watches that not only look good, but can also be used as tools for professionals in the most extreme working conditions. Unusual professions such as astronaut, fighter pilot, race car driver, and even bomb disposal expert are all professions that Bell & Ross reflects. Today, several prominent professionals in the field of aerospace, both civil and military, are involved in the creation of unique models. The team also includes other seasoned professionals in all aspects of manufacturing, skilled designers, engineers, and, above all, master watchmakers. Thanks to its many years of research, the company has built an unassailable reputation for the functionality of its timepieces. In 1985, German physicist and astronaut Dr. Reinhard Furrer even took them into space.

Today, Bell & Ross is the official supplier for various space projects, such as the German Space Lab Mission. It also supplies Air France, the elite tactical group GIGN, the French Navy, and the Spanish Patrulla Acrobática de Paracaidismo.& nbsp;The slogan "From the cockpit to the wrist" can be interpreted literally, as most of the watch case design actually copies the technical gauges from aircraft instrument cockpits. The case even features identical corner screws, just like the originals on fighter jet gauges. The hands, like the numerals, are quite large, contributing to the authentic cockpit look of the dial. There's no shame in feeling goosebumps when you take a closer look—it's intentional.

Bell & Ross is not shy about collaborating with various technical industries, but one of its greatest passions is the automotive industry. Together, they push the boundaries of creativity and explore new horizons in watchmaking. They have designed several vehicles of their own, including the ultra-fast B-rocket motorcycle in collaboration with Shaw Harley Davidson, the Aero-GT sports car, and the rugged off-road electric SUV from Bollinger Motors. nbsp;Together with concept car builders, they designed the BR-bird racing plane, which was specifically designed to break speed records. Every driver and pilot of these extreme machines was equipped with a unique Bell & Ross watch.

Bell & Ross watches
The iconic design of Bell & Ross watches is reflected above all in the BR03 series. Each model strictly incorporates the brand's basic principles of readability, functionality, reliability, and precision. The clean lines and timeless elegance of the angular design combine functionality with visual appeal. nbsp;The refined aesthetics are captured, for example, in the BR 01 Red Radar watch, which uses a radar-inspired way of reading time, while technical innovation is evident in the Hydromax 11 100M model, which broke the record for water resistance with a possible diving depth of the Mariana Trench, i.e. almost 11 kilometers.& nbsp;If you are an unrestrained person with a sense of timelessness, Bell & Ross is perfect for you.
See the complete range of Bell&Ross watches and chronographs in our e-shop.