A few weeks ago, I almost managed to witness the performance of the French Air and Space Force's aerobatic team — Patrouille de France.
The team was in the USA for the country's 250th anniversary and conducted a training flight at Andrews AFB, where Air Force One is based. However, for unknown reasons, the base management did not allow spectators (though the reasons were undoubtedly valid). Despite some disappointment, I have attended airshows and seen impressive jet maneuvers. But I had never interacted with the talented pilots who fly these machines. This opportunity was given to me by several aviators from Patrouille de France, dressed in flight suits and Bell & Ross watches with an analog-digital dial, while on my wrist was the latest model of their joint development — the Bell & Ross BR-X3 Patrouille De France.
Real Collaborative Project or Marketing Move?
Collaborations are often perceived as superficial marketing gimmicks limited to just placing a logo on the dial or naming the model. This is understandable, as most watches with an additional logo are licensed products rather than real joint developments. Examples include watches with NASA, Pan-Am, SpongeBob, or Marvel logos — all licenses. Except for the licensing deal, there is rarely any real connection between the brand and the rights holder.
While I can't confidently say that the BR-X3 Patrouille de France is the result of a deep design collaboration, I can confirm that the team does wear Bell & Ross watches, specifically the BR-03 Type A Patrouille de France — impressive quartz analog-digital watches with all functions controlled through one crown.
Reliability and Experience of Patrouille de France Pilots
It is the BR-03 Type A model, the third and perhaps most functional in the Patrouille de France series, that was on Captain Thomas's wrist (pictured right) when he ejected following an in-air collision during a rehearsal in 2024. We discussed the superficiality of many collaborations, and he emphasized that pilots do wear these watches in everyday life and work, not just for photos with journalists. Moreover, even after extreme stress during ejection (12 to 20 G), the watch continued to operate without failures.
History and Features of BR-X3 Patrouille de France
The BR-X3 Patrouille de France is the sixth model to emerge from the Bell & Ross and Patrouille de France partnership, and the second that is not a chronograph and not based on the standard BR-03 case. The partnership was established in 2021, and by 2025 the brand moved away from the BR-03, releasing the BR-05 chronograph. This model is the third BR-X3 I have handled, and the second base version (unlike the Racing model with a tinted sapphire dial and carbon bezel, as well as more integrated lugs).
The BR-X3 Patrouille de France case features the following specifications: 41 mm across, 13.3 mm in height, flat sapphire crystal, 100-meter water resistance, multi-component case fastened with bolts in the corners.
Color Accents and Case Design
A distinctive feature of the BR-X3 Patrouille de France is the color accents on the lower bezel and... I'll call them "bolt tubes." These are light blue elements, matching the color of the pilots' flight suits and their aircrafts' paint. As I have often noted in reviews of the BR-03 and BR-X3, the rubber strap is very important. It is not only comfortable and equipped with a large clasp but also, thanks to its shape, which widens at the attachment to the case lugs, significantly improves the fit and reduces the visual bulkiness of the watch. Without such a strap, the watch on a standard bracelet looks bulky and unnatural.
Personally, I am not a fan of the light blue Velcro strap that comes with this model, although I tried it on the base version — the appearance leaves much to be desired.
Dial and Legibility
If you are familiar with the BR-X3, there is little new here. The main differences are the light blue chapter ring with indices and the bezel, perfectly matching the Patrouille de France livery and flight suits, as well as the team emblem at the "6 o'clock" position. Despite the many elements and accents, legibility remains high. The dial retains the classic Bell & Ross features: capsule-shaped hands and hour markers, large Arabic numerals (particularly the number 12), and the signature logo.
Of particular note is the retrograde power reserve indicator of the fuel tank. While the labeling of it and the date seems overly explicit, the segmented scale allows for better information perception than many other power reserve indicators. The symmetry of the dial is provided by the date window on the opposite side. I usually have a negative view of panoramic dates, showing several numbers at once, as they reduce readability without good reason. Here, despite the triangular pointer, the window serves for visual balance, which can be forgiven.
Small Details and Luminescence
Another update is the luminescent silhouette of an aircraft at the end of the seconds hand. Typically, this is just a straight tip, but for the aerobatic group's watch, Bell & Ross added a small outline of a jet fighter. It quite accurately replicates the silhouette of the Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet flown by the team from above. Super-LumiNova luminescent material is also applied to other elements of the dial, but the brightness of the glow is average — the watch will show the time in the dark, but not for long.
Caseback and Movement
The caseback of the BR-X3 Patrouille de France is made of sapphire glass with a reflective inscription detailing the model's features. At the center is the name Patrouille de France and a circle of aircraft silhouettes. The caseback is simple, each piece is numbered out of 250 and has an individual serial number. Beneath the caseback lies the Bell & Ross BR-CAL.323 caliber — a proprietary movement that debuted three years ago and is installed in the X5 and X3 models. It is exclusively produced for Bell & Ross by Kenissi. The movement has a power reserve of 70 hours at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and is COSC certified with chronometer accuracy from -4 to +6 seconds per day.
Final Assessment of Bell & Ross BR-X3 Patrouille de France
I like the BR-X3, and this model has no significant drawbacks. It matches the quality of other X3s, although personally, I prefer the Racing version. If you like unique color solutions and appreciate the connection with the French aerobatic team, you should consider the $900 premium for these changes. That's about 12.5% of the cost, meaning you pay more for an exclusive version. Obviously, the watch has niche appeal. Even if you're a fan of aerobatic teams and particularly Patrouille de France, you might not want to see the emblem on the dial — which is why the brand releases these models in limited editions.
Can this collaboration be considered successful? Aircraft and stunts are always interesting, and if the team performing them wears watches, it's already a sign of success. The second criterion is the success of the design. Considering the changes were limited to shades of blue, the emblem, and the engraving on the caseback (which you are unlikely to see), the brand managed it without errors. Bell & Ross BR-X3 Patrouille De France is released in a limited edition of 250 pieces and costs $8,100 USD.