BR 01 Heading Indicator

BELL & ROSS and aeronautical instrumentation
 
The iconic BR 01 AVIATION collection is directly inspired by the instrumentation of aircraft cockpits, and addresses four fundamental requirements: legibility, functionality, precision and water-resistance.

Pushing its exploration of aeronautical navigation instruments further, Bell & Ross innovates year after year with completely new high-tech models —BR 01 COMPASS in 2010, and RADAR in 2011—, offering a completely new way of reading time, inspired by flight instrumentation.

In 2012, Bell & Ross introduced three new versions: BR 01 HORIZON, BR 01 ALTIMETER, and BR 01 TURN COORDINATOR. The result was a collection of exclusive watches with an innovative display and uncompromising legibility: an absolute priority for professionals and for every Bell & Ross watch.

A new trio and a revised instrumentation panel
In 2013, Bell & Ross is enhancing the AVIATION collection with three new instruments directly inspired by the cockpit, – HEADING INDICATOR, AIRSPEED and CLIMB – and essential to flying and navigation.

The gyrocompass, course indicator or heading indicator, is a vital instrument for flying, used during both manual flight and autopilot, which indicates the course the plane is on.

The anemometer, or airspeed indicator, indicates speed. It measures an aircraft’s speed in relation to the air through which it is moving and allows the plane to be flown in a controlled way without visibility.

The variometer or vertical speed indicator, indicates to the pilot at all times whether the plane is ascending, descending or
in level flight. This instrument works using atmospheric pressure and is graduated in hundreds of feet per minute.

From the cockpit to the wrist
With this new trio, Bell & Ross recreates the graphic style of navigation instruments as closely as possible, once again going beyond the traditional approach to reading the time.
These three new models —BR01 HEADINg INDICATOR, BR 01 AIRSPEED and BR01 CLIMB— are each available in limited editions of 999 pieces. The first 99 will be offered exclusively in a lavish collector’s box containing the six instruments: BR 01 HORIZON, ALTIMETER, TURN COORDINATOR, HEADINg INDICATOR, AIRSPEED and CLIMB. The box is designed as a control panel where the essential instruments are laid out in T shape for optimum legibility.
An exclusive box that will make its owner feel as though they own a fragment of an aircraft’s cockpit, delighting both aviation fans and watch collectors.

BR 01 HEADING INDICATOR LIMITED EDITION OF 999 PIECES

Disc-based display inspired by the heading indicator
Bell & Ross designers have borrowed the graphic characteristics of the heading indicator to create an original and innovative display of time.

The dial comprises three independent concentric discs, graduated for the hours and minutes. The seconds are displayed in the center on a disc, which is not graduated, but features a yellow marker. The hour reading is indicated by the yellow triangle, which appears on the outer hours’ disc. Minutes are read from the middle disc.

The WES (West, East and South) indications are also displayed on this disc, as on the original instrument, and the N for North indication has been replaced by a yellow triangle marker for reading the hours.

To allow the markers to stand out against the background, an airplane – identical to the one found on the original instrument – and yellow index marks are engraved under the glass.

The anti-glare, matt black carbon finish of the case is inspired by the color of an instrumentation panel, designed to make the dials easier to read by eliminating glare.

Technological feats
The BR 01 HEADING INDICATOR is highly sophisticated. The technical challenge posed by its design and production required the collaboration of the best watchmaking engineers.

Since each disc weighs 30 times more than a watch hand, ultra light discs needed to be created in order to not reduce the power reserve nor the accuracy of the watch. furthermore, each disc needed to be sufficiently resistant so as not to become deformed or risk any friction.
This dual challenge has required the development of specific materials and new techniques.

As they rotate, an adjustment to the nearest micron ensures that the discs are constantly parallel. The accuracy of the assembly requires all the know-how of master watchmakers.