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Bell & Ross BR-X3 Patrouille de france

 

THE EXCELLENCE OF FRENCH PILOTS

The moment the Alpha Jets of the Patrouille de France pierce the sky in formation, the audience holds its breath. Created in 1953, this elite unit of the French Air and Space Force is one of the most respected aerobatic display teams in the world. As an ambassador of French aeronautical expertise, both at home and abroad, it embodies absolute precision, cohesion, and the constant drive to push one's limits—values that Bell & Ross has shared since its inception. In 2021, a natural partnership began, founded on common convictions: rigor, operational excellence, and elegance in execution. Six years into this collaboration, Bell & Ross and the Patrouille de France have built a unique watchmaking saga together, with each timepiece adding a new chapter to this history of altitude and performance.

A PARTNERSHIP OF HEART AND VALUES

Intimately linked to the world of aviation since its founding in 1994 by Carlos Rosillo and Bruno Belamich, Bell & Ross develops timepieces designed as wrist-borne transpositions of aircraft cockpit instruments. This aeronautical legitimacy is the foundation of a partnership built on conviction. "The Patrouille de France and Bell & Ross share the same fundamental values: rigor, self-transcendence, and the spirit of cohesion," emphasizes Carlos Rosillo, co-founder of the House. Each year, the ambition remains the same: to create a new watch that differs in functionality or aesthetic expression, yet always carries the identity and soul of the Patrouille de France. In 2026, the House reaches a new milestone. Following the BR-05 Chrono Patrouille de France presented in 2025, Bell & Ross is now associating its iconic aerobatic team with its most ambitious piece: the BR-X3.

AN ELITE WATCH FOR EXCEPTIONAL PILOTS

The BR-X3 represents the most advanced level of sophistication in Bell & Ross’s professional range. A direct heir to the iconic BR-03, from which it adopts the "circle within a square" design, it propels the instrument-watch into a new technical dimension thanks to its innovative multi-layer case construction and its manufacture movement, backed by a five-year warranty. A limited edition of 250 pieces, the BR-X3 Patrouille de France embodies a simple and radical equation: the best watch for the best pilots. To dress the BR-X3 in the squadron’s colors, Bell & Ross chose noble and rigorously selected materials: polished-satin steel for the case, and blue anodized aluminum for the bezel ring and structural columns. This alchemy of materials resonates perfectly with the aeronautical world: lightness, resistance, and precision.

A DIAL THE COLOR OF THE SKY

The dial of the BR-X3 Patrouille de France is a true statement of belonging. Its construction—featuring three plates (a matte black base, a blue and white skeletonized applique, and a matte black insert)—blends the shades of blue that characterize the world of the Patrouille de France: the blue of the Alpha Jet, the helmet, and the flight suit. It is a monochrome palette of great chromatic precision, orchestrated with Bell & Ross’s extreme care. Among the details that distinguish this edition, the central seconds hand features a counterweight in the shape of an Alpha Jet—a discreet yet eloquent silhouette. The power reserve, indicated at 9 o'clock, is tinted in the colors of the French flag: blue, white, and red. At 6 o'clock, the Patrouille de France insignia displays the "Diamond" formation, the squadron's signature. Numerals, indexes, and hands are treated with Super-LumiNova® to guarantee perfect legibility by day or night. Because in flight, every detail counts.

A HIGH-FLIGHT MOVEMENT

Beating at the heart of the BR-X3 Patrouille de France is the calibre BR-CAL.323, a manufacture movement designed specifically for Bell & Ross by the Kenissi manufacture. This self-winding mechanical movement is chronometer-certified by the COSC (Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute) and comes with a five-year warranty—a rare commitment in watchmaking. Its 70-hour power reserve ensures autonomy that meets operational requirements, regardless of conditions. The steel case, 41 mm in diameter and 13.30 mm thick, is water-resistant to 100 meters. The watch is offered with two strap options: open-worked black rubber for a sporty and adventurous spirit, or ultra-resistant synthetic fabric in sky blue, in perfect harmony with the dial and the flight suits of the Patrouille de France pilots. The polished-satin steel pin buckle completes the set with the sobriety expected of a precision instrument.

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