Several months ago, the French brand Bell & Ross announced a collaboration with the world-renowned French aerobatic display team, Patrouille de France. At the time, no watch models had been unveiled, but we noted the alignment between these two organizations, sharing the same values, spirit, and country of origin. A natural partnership, without a doubt. We knew it was only a matter of time before watches dedicated to this newly signed partnership, which goes beyond mere logo placement on a watch, would be introduced. Here it is, the new Bell & Ross BR 03-94 Patrouille de France (actually, two watches... but more on that later).
Background - Professional Recommendations from Bell & Ross
Founded in 1992, Bell & Ross has always been focused on aviation and military demands, creating a collection of instrumental watches meeting the needs of special forces, diving commandos, air forces, and all types of pilots (military or civilian). These early watches weren't just design statements; they were intended for field use. An example is the Type Demineur watch, created at the request of French civil defense and designed according to operational specifications.
After releasing their most iconic model in 2005 - the BR01 watch with a square case inspired by vintage aviation instruments, under the so-called motto "circle in a square" - the brand received numerous requests from elite units to develop watches with special functions or to commemorate special occasions and anniversaries. Over the years, the brand has certainly evolved: there are now watches focused on racing cars, round vintage-style models, and even urban watches with an integrated bracelet, but the commitment to military requirements remains unchanged.
Bell & Ross continues to supply watches to numerous squadrons and elite units. Among them, for example, the BR 03-92 GIGN and BR 01 RAID - watches designed for the elite units of the French National Police and Gendarmerie. Also introduced were the BR 03 Type Aviation - multifunctional digital watches meeting the requirements of French fighter pilots.
Patrouille de France, One of the Best Aerobatic Teams in the World
Patrouille de France is one of the world's most renowned aerobatic demonstration teams. Established in its current form in 1953, but operating since 1931 under various names, this elite unit under the command of the French Air and Space Force (Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace) is the oldest of its kind and regarded as one of the best in the world. The patrol's task is to perform aerial demonstrations involving precise piloting - the unit traditionally opens the military parade for Bastille Day in Paris.
The squadron consists of 9 pilots and 35 mechanics. Each year, three pilots join Patrouille, selected from among the fighter pilots of the French Air Force. The mechanics are responsible for maintaining and repairing the 12 Alphajet planes assigned to the unit.
While this is often said about most elite military teams, time is especially crucial in the context of Patrouille de France. Indeed, the sequence of maneuvers must be perfectly synchronized among the pilots not only to avoid "dead time" for the audience but also for the safety of both pilots and spectators. The maneuvers represent a perfectly timed choreography where error is intolerable. During airshows, pilots move at speeds from 300 to 800 kilometers per hour and are only two to three meters apart from each other.
Bell & Ross BR 03-94 Patrouille de France
The new Bell & Ross watch for the French aerobatic display unit is the result of more than just the brand developing a signature item. It is the outcome of collaboration between B&R and the pilots, who expressed their operational needs. That's why the watch looks quite different from all other members of the BR 03-94 family, with many special features that make these watches adapted to Patrouille de France.
There's a bit more to this story than the watch you see here today. In fact, there are two watches, which are visually identical but not equipped with the same mechanism. The Bell & Ross BR 03-94 Patrouille de France, which pilots actually wear in the cockpit during demonstration flights, will not be automatic, but quartz, known for even greater accuracy, which is a specific requirement of the team. This quartz model will also be released in just 100 pieces. But today, we'll focus on the watch created specifically for a wider audience, which fully replicates it, except for the movement.
The Bell & Ross BR 03-94 Patrouille de France model is part of the BR 03 family, measuring 42 mm x 42 mm and featuring the typical "circle in a square" case, defined by the combination of geometric shapes and screws on each corner. On the right side of the case, the crown and pushers are classically positioned, and it is water-resistant to 100 meters. At the pilots' request, the case is made of black ceramic, known for its lightness and strength, and has a matte finish to avoid reflections during flights.
An important distinguishing feature of these watches is the presence of a bi-directional bezel, also made of black ceramic, equipped with a scale for 60 minutes or 60 seconds - depending on whether you use it with the minute or second hand. The scale is executed with white luminescent markings. The watches, as is often the case with Bell & Ross, are worn on a black rubber strap, closed with a stainless steel buckle with PVD coating, and the presentation box also includes an ultra-durable black fabric strap.
The main update and most noticeable element of this Bell & Ross BR 03-94 Patrouille de France model is the dial, which uses the color codes and emblem of the aerobatic demonstration unit. The dial is matte, dark blue to create a strong contrast with the white markings and to avoid reflections. The hands, typical of B&R products, are mostly covered with SLN, as are the hour markers and the large numeral at 12 o'clock. At the team's request, the watch is equipped with a chronograph function, all readings of which are indicated by red hands. This function will help them when synchronization is needed, and the tachymetric scale on the inner flange allows for calculating average speed. And, of course, at the 6 o'clock position, the Patrouille de France logo proudly stands - a gold emblem with nine jet silhouettes and a tricolor banner as a symbol of France.
Under the massive case back lies the BR-CAL.301 caliber. This automatic movement, based on the ETA 2894, has a modular architecture and beats at a frequency of 4 Hz. It displays the time, running seconds, chronograph with a central seconds hand and a 30-minute counter, and finally, the date in a round window with a tone-on-tone disc at 4:30.
Availability and Price
The automatic Bell & Ross BR 03-94 Patrouille de France model will be released in a limited edition of 500 pieces through the brand's online boutique and authorized retailers at the end of July 2021. The price of this version will be 5,900 euros. As for the quartz version BR 03-94 Patrouille de France, it will be released in 100 units priced at 4,900 euros.
For more detailed information and to order, please visit bellross.com.
SPECIFICATIONS - BELL & ROSS BR 03-94 PATROUILLE DE FRANCE
Case: 42 mm x 42 mm - matte black ceramic case - bi-directional rotating bezel in black ceramic with 60 seconds/minute scale - sapphire crystal - solid case back - water resistance 100 m
Dial: matte dark blue dial with "Patrouille de France" inscription at 6 o'clock - painted markers and hands with white Super-LumiNova coating
Movement: Caliber BR-CAL.301 (ETA 2894) - automatic, modular chronograph with cam mechanism - 37 jewels - 28 mm - 28,800 vibrations/hour - power reserve 42 h - hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph with central seconds hand and 30-minute counter, date
Strap: black rubber and ultra-durable black synthetic fabric, stainless steel buckle with PVD coating
Reference: BR0394-PAF1-CE/SRB
Availability: Limited to 500 pieces
Price: 5,900 EURO. Also available in quartz version (same watches supplied to "Patrouille de France" pilots), limited to 100 pieces, all specifications identical - 4,900 euros