Do astronauts even wear watches in space? We don’t actually know, but in case they do, they’re probably wearing something like Bell & Ross’ new BR-X1 HyperStellar, which the watchmaker is billing as “the king of aerospace complications.”
We guess, a chronograph would be plenty handy during space missions. An accurate mechanism that can measure time in short periods should find plenty of use, whether you’re doing repairs on a spacecraft, conserving oxygen during a spacewalk, or timing the movement of unidentified object from a distance.
Built for space-faring adventurers, the Bell & Ross BR-X1 HyperStellar is rigged to stand up to the challenges of space, sporting a light and durable construction that the outfit describes as being “tough as a rocket.” That includes a 45mm case with its cover, center, and sides built with micro-blasted grade 5 titanium, with a protective insert on the bezel cut in anodized aluminum (in blue, no less, so it looks like shiny spaceship lights) and a rubber case bumper for absorbing knocks across the case outline. A skeletonized dial allows you to get a glimpse of BR-CAL.313 automatic movement housed inside the case, with a 90-minute chronograph timer at the 9 o’ clock position.
Features include a tinted sapphire crystal lens on the case back, rocker pushbuttons, Superluminova-filled hour and minute hands, metal indexes with Superluminova inserts, and a water resistance of 100 meters. It comes with a dual-material strap made from alligator skin and rubber, as well as a steel buckle with rubber insert.
Only 250 examples of the Bell & Ross BR-X1 HyperStellar will be made. No pricing has been announced.