Despite being even pricier than what many expected from Bell & Ross, the BR-X1 has ended up becoming quite a popular item. It’s quite the killer utility watch, after all. So, what’s a luxury watchmaker to do? Make an ever pricier version in the form of the Bell & Ross BR-X1 Chronograph Tourbillion.
It’s, pretty much, the same square silhouette and 45-mm width as most any watch in the BR-01 collection, with the same chronograph stylings of the X1 model. Except, of course, with a more ornate case and a new complicated movement that make for even more stunning wrist candy.
Like a properly-complicated timepiece, the design of the Bell & Ross BR-X1 Chronograph Tourbillion actually looks like a wrist-mounted weapon that a Bond villain will wear. The case comes decked in either grade five titanium or 18K rose gold, with a single piece structure, switch-style chronograph pushers, and a 100-meter water resistance. Both cases can be outfitted with diamonds (46 large baguette-cut stones) as an option, which, we’re guessing, is for any ladies who’d want to strap one on their wrists.
Housed inside is a skeletonized dial that allows you to see the underlying BR-CAL.283 movement, which features 282 components, 35 rubies, and a 100-hour power reserve. The manually-wound movement comes with a 30-minute monopusher chronograph that uses only the sub-dials, a subsidiary seconds dial, and a power reserve indicator.
Only 80 examples of the Bell & Ross BR-X1 Chronograph Tourbillion will be made (20 for titanium, 20 for rose gold, and another 20 for each with diamonds in tow). Pricing starts at $163,000.