The story behind this Bell & Ross BR 03-94
Founded in Paris in 1992 by Bruno Belamich and Carlos Rosillo, Bell & Ross established its identity in 2005 with the BR 01, a 46 mm square case that brings the instruments from an aircraft cockpit to the wrist. The concept is encapsulated in a single image: a round dial set within a square and secured by four screws. In 2006, the brand scaled this design down to 42 mm with the BR 03, which was more comfortable to wear, and immediately launched its chronograph version, the BR 03-94. In 2008, Bell & Ross became an official supplier to the French Air Force, and the General Staff commissioned a utility watch designed for fighter pilots: the BR 03 Type Aviation. This designation is still engraved on the case back of the model. The BR 03-94 Black Steel, reference BR0394-BLC-ST/SCA, introduced in 2017, retains this steel base with a black dial and red chronograph markers.
Case, movement and strap of this BR 03-94
The 42 mm square steel case features alternating satin-finished and polished bevelled surfaces, with four visible screws at the corners and screw-down lugs. The polished bevelled edges frame the satin-finished dial with a fine line of light. The fluted crown bears the brand’s logo at its tip, between two rectangular pushers. The solid caseback, secured by four screws, ensures water resistance to 100 metres, whilst an anti-reflective sapphire crystal protects the matt black dial. The numerals at 12 and 6 o’clock and the hour markers are applied; the hour and minute hands are coated with Super-LumiNova; the small seconds sub-dial is positioned at 3 o’clock; and the date is displayed between 4 and 5 o’clock. The chronograph features red accents on the central seconds hand and the 30-minute counter at 9 o’clock, whilst a tachymeter scale runs along the flange. The BR-CAL.301 calibre, a self-winding movement based on the ETA 2894-2, powers the watch. The black calfskin strap with contrast stitching fastens with a satin-finished steel pin buckle engraved with ‘BR’.
Why this Bell & Ross watch
In 2023, Bell & Ross reduced the BR-03 to 41 mm with a new calibre, but the chronograph version remains available in 42 mm, the collection’s original size. This BR 03-94 therefore retains the collection’s proportions and instrument-like legibility, with a black dial where only the chronograph elements are highlighted in red, making it easy to read the elapsed time at a glance. Its ETA 2894-2-based calibre is a widely used chronograph movement, well known to watchmakers. As a pre-owned piece, this 2025 model offers access to a watch that is still in the catalogue, complete with all its original documentation.
Contents and condition
This BR 03-94 is supplied as a Full Set with its outer box, its Bell & Ross presentation box, its international warranty booklet and user manual, its warranty card and the purchase invoice dated November 2025 issued by an official Swiss retailer. It has been worn very little and shows only slight signs of wear, barely noticeable on both the case and the strap. The satin finish and polished bevels have retained their sharpness, and the leather shows no cracking.
Warranty and delivery
The Swiss Collector guarantees the authenticity of this watch, which is covered by a 24-month warranty. We accept returns within 10 days in accordance with our terms and conditions. As Switzerland’s leading second-hand retailer, backed by the largest network of shops, we offer online booking for a fitting and in-store collection, or fully secure international delivery.
* Very good condition – watch has been worn. Slight signs of external wear. Case and strap in excellent overall condition.
