In 2017, Bell & Ross presented the BR 03-92 Horolum. The Horolum name draws from the words “Horo”, referring to watchmaking or time and “Lum”, meaning light. This watch reproduced the company’s iconic “circle in a square” case, with the usual screws in the four corners. It endowed its numerals and indices in one of the most powerful Super-LumiNova coatings that exists, the C5. Its intense green colour is reminiscent of that used to light airport runways at night. The collection was a resounding success.
The Horolum series has returned in 2021 with a new version based on the BR 05 collection. This sporty-chic family is designed for urban life. The watches in this collection revisit the brand’s iconic case. The designers have rounded the corners for a more elegant and mainstream result. The integrated “full metal” straps are one with the cases, forming a coherent whole.
From the original BR 03-92 Horolum, the BR 05 Horolum new timepiece has retained the bead-blasted steel of the case and the photoluminescent coating of the indices on the dial.
The new BR 05 Horolum adopts more urban and more mineral references. Its lines and finish draw on contemporary architecture. They pay homage to the minimalist and technical forms of modern buildings. Their strong rough concrete walls recall minerality, and thus the city.
The hands and indices of the BR 05 Horolum are covered in Super-LumiNova C5, the most powerful photoluminescent coating that exists. It quickly accumulates light before rendering it in the dark with long-lasting intensity, thereby guaranteeing a high level of luminescence and excellent legibility at night. Its green colour, already intense during the day, is even more powerful at night. It truly glows.
The Horolum series has enjoyed resounding success. It has become a signature finish at Bell & Ross. The collection is characterised by the exclusive use of steel, including for the strap. The metal benefits from an innovative bead-blasted finish, lending the watch a matt mineral appearance and creating an impression of purity.
This steel recalls the city and the facades of modern buildings.
Like the case, the dial is made from bead-blasted steel, combining to form a uniform whole. This consistent treatment is reminiscent of urban constructions. The graphic design strives for purity and legibility. Only the essential indications are retained. The photoluminescent indices ensure perfect clarity when reading the time, even in the dark.
The sapphire crystal base of the watch offers an attractive view of the automatic CAL.321 Swiss mechanism. As is often the case, Bell & Ross prioritises originality. Generally speaking in the watchmaking industry, the oscillating mass takes the shape of a metal semi-circle. This shape creates the imbalance that stimulates the movement and gives the mainspring its energy. Here, the oscillating mass is a 360° part. Its technical design is inspired by the wheel rims on sports cars.
The BR 05 Horolum is inspired by the minerality of concrete and the stripping down of contemporary architecture. With its photoluminescent coating, it remains luminous and therefore legible, even in the dark. It is primarily intended for urban explorers who can be seen in the city any time of day or night.