The refined, avant-garde chronograph "ALPINE F1® TEAM Collection". | Bell & Ross
Bell & Ross
Expressing a passion for precision mechanics, innovation, and speed. A limited edition inspired by the world of Formula 1™.
Bell & Ross entered into an official partnership with the Renault F1® Team in 2016. In 2021, their sixth year, the team was renamed the "Alpine F1® Team." Bell & Ross, its official timing partner, has announced the "Alpine F1® Team Watch Collection," a series of three chronographs inspired by the world of Formula 1™ and embodying ultimate sportiness, to commemorate their ongoing partnership.
Text by OZAKI Sayaka | Edit by TSUCHIDA Takashi
Commemorating Six Years of Continuous Partnership
The "Alpine F1® Team Watch Collection" has been unveiled to celebrate the partnership between Bell & Ross and the Alpine F1® Team, united by a shared passion. This series comprises three sporty and avant-garde chronograph watches.
The stopwatch function has long been closely associated with motorsport, used for measuring short durations – in other words, for calculating the speed of racing cars. These stylish, functional, and easily readable watches embody all of Bell & Ross's expertise gained in professional watchmaking.
The collection is named "A521," after the current Alpine A521 single-seater. Its sporty design reflects Alpine's visual identity, particularly the team's core color codes of blue, black, and white, and it incorporates cutting-edge materials tested on Formula 1 cars.
These special timepieces will be worn by the drivers and staff of the Alpine F1® Team throughout the 2021 season.
BR V3-94 A521
Movement | Automatic (Caliber BR-CAL.301.)
Case Material | SS (Polished & Satin-finished)
Case Diameter | 43mm
Strap/Bracelet Material | Blue and black carbon-effect calfskin leather, or SS (Polished & Satin-finished)
Water Resistance | 10 bar
Price | ¥528,000 (with calfskin leather strap), ¥572,000 (with SS bracelet) *All prices include tax
Quantity | Limited to 500 pieces
BR V3-94 A521
Movement | Automatic (Caliber BR-CAL.301.)
Case Material | SS (Polished & Satin-finished)
Case Diameter | 43mm
Strap/Bracelet Material | Blue and black carbon-effect calfskin leather, or SS (Polished & Satin-finished)
Water Resistance | 10 bar
Price | ¥528,000 (with calfskin leather strap), ¥572,000 (with SS bracelet) *All prices include tax
Quantity | Limited to 500 pieces
The "BR V3-94 A521" is a simple, effective, and exceptional instrument watch. It features the iconic round 43mm diameter stainless steel case from the Vintage collection, with white numerals on a black dial ensuring optimal legibility. The italic font evokes a sense of speed and dynamism.
The two counters, reminiscent of racing car wheel rims, are composed of a star and a white circle, offering a glimpse into the watch's mechanism. The tip of the central seconds hand is adorned with Alpine's iconic "A," while the subtle red, white, and blue flag at the 6 o'clock position represents France, Alpine's birthplace.
The two-toned tachymeter function allows drivers to calculate racing car speeds, and the bidirectional rotating bezel, used in conjunction with the stopwatch, enables timekeeping. It is available with either a stainless steel bracelet or a perforated leather strap resembling carbon fiber, and is limited to 500 pieces.
BR 03-94 A521 Movement | Automatic (Caliber BR-CAL.301.) Case Material | SS (Polished & Satin-finished) Case Diameter | 42mm Strap Material | Perforated black rubber and black heavy-duty synthetic fabric Water Resistance | 10 bar Price | ¥748,000 (tax included) Quantity | Limited to 500 pieces
The "BR 03-94 A521" features the iconic "circle within a square" case introduced with the BR-01 collection. For this collection, based on the 42mm diameter stainless steel "BR-03," the dial has a nearly identical appearance to the "BR V3-94," with the date located at the 6 o'clock position.
A key feature is that the two hands indicating the chronograph are in "Alpine Blue." The bidirectional rotating bezel is a countdown from 60 to 0 minutes, a highly practical function for race starts.
The toggle-shaped black PVD-finished push-buttons evoke the paddles found on racing car steering wheels. The perforated rubber strap is lightweight and breathable, ideal for cooling wrists fatigued from racing.
BR-X1 A521 Movement | Automatic (Caliber BR-CAL.313.) Case Material | Titanium, Ceramic Case Diameter | 45mm Strap Material | Perforated black rubber Water Resistance | 10 bar Price | ¥2,629,000 (tax included) Quantity | Limited to 50 pieces
And the "BR-X1 A521" is the most sophisticated model in the collection. Its exterior is constructed from Grade 5 titanium, ceramic, and rubber.
The toggle-shaped push-buttons are encased in rubber-coated titanium for optimal grip. The ergonomic design is reminiscent of the steering wheel paddles on Formula 1® racing cars.
The surrounding ceramic protects the case from impacts. The meticulously designed dial is skeletonized, allowing a detailed view of the movement, including the iconic X-shaped bridge and balance spring, through the crystal.
The bezel features a structure with a fixed titanium and a rotating aluminum ring, the latter coated in black PVD, which marks the hours. This refined skeleton model is limited to 50 pieces.
Movement | Automatic (Caliber BR-CAL.301.)
Case Material | SS (Polished & Satin-finished)
Case Diameter | 42mm
Strap Material | Perforated black rubber and black heavy-duty synthetic fabric
Water Resistance | 10 bar
Price | ¥748,000 (tax included)
Quantity | Limited to 500 pieces