Ahead of this year’s Baselworld, Bell & Ross has launched the BR 03-92 Bi-Compass, following their successful formula of highly legible, square-cased aviation watches. Rather than paying homage to one specific cockpit instrument, the 42mm BR 03-92 Bi-Compass incorporates an amalgamation of analogue displays, and includes a rotating central hour disc.

Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Bi-Compass
Bell & Ross

The dial itself is split into two tiers. There’s the outer minute ring, with eggshell SuperLuminova-painted numerals running up to 60, and a minute track that slopes down to meet the recessed centre of the dial. There, the central hour disc, marked with a green triangle, rotates to point towards the oversize hour numerals.

Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Bi-Compass Dial
Bell & Ross

They’re marked out in blue-green - known as ‘Munsell green’ - in Bell & Ross’ signature font, Isonorm, which is the typography used on analogue aviation counters. The off-white/blue-green colour scheme replicates that used on US Navy aircrafts.

The ultra-light central disc is delicate enough not to compromise the power reserve or affect the precision, but strong enough to not become deformed or cause any friction.

Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Bi-Compass Dial
Courtesy

The separation of hour and minute graduations means the time can be read at a glance. The case, too, is designed with legibility in mind - inspired by the colour of an instrumentation panel, it’s made of anti-glare, black matte ceramic.

Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Bi-Compass Side Profile
Bell & Ross

Inside is the Calibre BR-CAL.302 with a 38-hour power reserve, based on a Sellita SW300-1, which previously featured in Bell & Ross’ Vintage collection, inside the BR V1-92 and the BR V2-92. Limited to 999 editions that will be available at the beginning of April, the watch comes on a black rubber and fabric strap, and is priced at £2,990.