Bell & Ross pushes its vision of architectural watchmaking forward with the debut of the BR-X5 Meteorite, a 250-piece limited edition that merges high-tech manufacture engineering with an extraterrestrial material over 4.5 billion years old.
Retaining the collection’s signature sandwich case construction and the manufacture movement developed alongside Kenissi, this release swaps traditional dials for a solid plate carved from the renowned Muonionalusta meteorite.
Monolithic Muonionalusta Meteorite Dial
Unlike standard meteorite watches that bond a paper-thin slice of mineral onto a brass baseplate, Bell & Ross crafted a solid monolithic dial. The dial feet pass directly through the raw meteoritic plate, which is finished with a subtle PVD coating to protect the material from oxidation while accentuating its natural metallic reflections.
Extracted from the Muonionalusta iron meteorite discovered in Sweden in 1906, each dial exhibits the distinct Widmanstätten pattern. Formed over millions of years of ultra-slow cooling in cosmic vacuum, this crystalline lattice cannot be artificially reproduced, ensuring that no two dials among the 250 pieces are identical.
Legibility remains uncompromised despite the intricate background. Rhodium-plated, tub-shaped applied hour markers and skeletonized hands are filled with Super-LumiNova BGW9 Grade X1, emitting a bright blue glow in dark environment conditions. The layout features a 3-day power reserve indicator at 9 o’clock and an expanded date window at 3 o’clock.
41 mm Architectural Sandwich Case
The 41 mm stainless steel case carries the geometric presence characteristic of the BR-X5 series. Measuring 12.80 mm in height, it alternates between satin-brushed surfaces and polished bevels.
Its multi-component sandwich construction houses a central movement container shielded by openworked guards and a screw-down crown, delivering 100 meters (10 ATM) of water resistance. Four functional screws secure the square bezel from front to back, defining the piece’s technical design language.
Manufacture Calibre BR-CAL.323
Powering the BR-X5 Meteorite is the BR-CAL.323 manufacture movement, developed exclusively for Bell & Ross by movement specialist Kenissi. The automatic calibre holds official COSC chronometer certification for high precision timekeeping.
Beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), it delivers a 70-hour power reserve, allowing the watch to remain “weekend-proof” when set down from Friday evening to Monday morning. The mechanism is visible through the sapphire caseback, showcasing a custom skeletonized oscillating weight. Bell & Ross backs the watch with a 5-year warranty.
Variants and Availability
Limited strictly to 250 pieces worldwide, the BR-X5 Meteorite is offered with two strap options:
- Integrated Steel Bracelet: Featuring brushed and polished links with a folding buckle.
- Black Rubber Strap: Providing a lightweight, sportier wrist presence.
Bell & Ross BR-X5 Meteorite Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Case | Satin-brushed and polished stainless steel. Multi-component sandwich architecture. |
| Dimensions | Diameter: 41 mm; Thickness: 12.80 mm. |
| Crystal | Anti-reflective sapphire crystal. Sapphire exhibition caseback. |
| Dial | Solid Muonionalusta meteorite plate with protective PVD layer. Rhodium-plated indices and hands with Super-LumiNova BGW9 (blue emission). |
| Calibre | BR-CAL.323 (Kenissi Manufacture). Automatic. COSC-certified chronometer. |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, central seconds, open date window at 3 o’clock, power reserve indicator at 9 o’clock. |
| Power Reserve | 70 hours. |
| Water Resistance | 100 meters / 10 ATM (Screw-down crown). |
| Strap / Bracelet | Integrated stainless steel bracelet or black rubber strap. Steel folding clasp. |
| Limited Edition | 250 pieces worldwide. |
| Price | €8,900 (Rubber strap) / €9,400 (Steel bracelet) |
Interested in integrated sports designs?
If you prefer classic dial finishes with dual-time functionality, make sure to read our review of the Bell & Ross BR 05 GMT Green Steel.
