This Enthusiast Tool Watch Brand Shows Off a New Level of Elegance

Bell & Ross is technically a tool watch brand, but it operates in luxury territory.

Save for the occasional novelty, the French watchmaker sticks to its aeronautical roots, along with a hearty tangent into diving. But its designs are executed with such refinement that they come with luxurious prices.

Bell & Ross

Then there is the unapologetically elevated new BR-05 Chrono, sporting a two-tone 18-karat rose gold case with an absolutely stunning dial.

It comes in collaboration with S.T. Dupont, a storied French brand specializing in high-end lighters and cigar paraphernalia. The dial is a fitting tobacco brown color, embellished with a radiant sunburst finish.

Bell & Ross

The BR-05 S.T. Dupont follows the chronograph’s standard blueprint, with the brand’s signature 42mm rounded-square case accented by exposed screws at each corner. A full crown guard is flanked by angled bumper-style chronograph pushers.

The case, topped with a satin-brushed 18-karat gold bezel insert, is lifted directly from the Gray Steel & Gold reference released in 2024.

Bursting through

The dial absolutely steals the show. Thanks to its rich finish, it reveals shades from dark amber to black as it reacts to light.

It begs for the “Root Beer” moniker, first used for the two-tone Rolex GMT Master II with a brown-and-black bezel. But that iconic grail had a black dial, while this chronograph looks like a glass of the world’s best soft drink (I’ll die on that hill).

Bell & Ross

The hands and applied indices are rose gold-plated with green-emitting Super-LumiNova inserts. They are encircled by a prominent black rehaut with a gold-tone 60-second track

Sunken black subdials at 3:00 and 6:00 match the case shape and feature a snailed texture. They house a 30-minute totalizer and a small seconds, respectively.

Gold or gator?

Bell & Ross offers two strap options for this cigar-themed special edition. You can opt for an integrated bracelet with brushed steel H-links connected by polished 18-karat gold center links, fastened with a deployant clasp.

Bell & Ross

Alternatively, you can save $4,600 by going with a brown leather strap with an embossed alligator texture and blackened edges. It is secured with a stainless steel signed deployant clasp.

Kitted out

The BR-05 S.T. Dupont comes as part of a deluxe package aimed at cigar aficionados. It is accompanied by a matching cigar cutter, lighter and leather cigar holder.

Bell & Ross

It all comes in a decorative box that doubles as a fully functional humidor, complete with a humidity meter. The box even has a vintage-style lock and key.

Availability and pricing

Bell & Ross might be a tool watch brand for those with a luxury budget, but the BR-05 Chrono S.T. Dupont is one of the most luxurious designs the brand has ever released. It’s also absolutely gorgeous.

The Bell & Ross BR-05 Chrono S.T. Dupont is available now from Bell & Ross for $19,800 on an integrated steel-and-rose-gold bracelet or $15,200 on a brown leather strap. The watch and humidor box set is a limited edition of 150 pieces.