Bell & Ross BR-03 Diver

It’s not easy designing a modern-day wristwatch icon — but in the 1990s, French outfit Bell & Ross pulled it off. The brand’s instrument panel-inspired BR-01, with its square case, stark dial, and rubber strap, quickly made waves in the watch world, leading to an explosion in popularity for the fledgling Parisian brand. Since then, Bell & Ross has expanded into different case shapes and design profiles — but the square BR-01’s evolution, the BR-03, remains a mainstay in the catalog. This particular BR-03 is a Reference BR0392-D-BLST/SRB from circa 2020s. Housed in a 42mm stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal and a signed crown, it features a luminous black dial with applique indices, a matching handset, and a date window at 4:30. Absurdly legible and boasting military-inspired cool, it’s powered by a Swiss-made BR-CAL.302 automatic movement with about a 40-hour power reserve and comes paired to a signed, rubber strap with a signed stainless pin buckle. In practically unworn condition overall and including its factory goodies, this masterpiece of utilitarian design is an excellent entry point into the world of Bell & Ross, and into the realm of military-inspired design in general. Try it on for yourself!