Bell & Ross marked three years of its partnership with Renault Sport Formula One with a quartet of racing chronographs. Although all four sit in different price brackets, they share the same concept and design cues. The top of the line is the tourbillon-chronograph, while the entry-level each is the round BR V2-94. And in between sit the distinctively square BR-X1 R.S.18 and BR 03-94 R.S.18.

With each generation of R.S. – short for Renault Sport – Bell & Ross (B&R) has progressively advanced the styling of the line. It started in 2016 with the R.S.16 watches dressed in the yellow and black livery of the Renault team. The carbon composite cases were an obvious nod to the sport, being the same material used for most of a Formula One car.

The 2017 instalment of the R.S. took the Formula One inspiration further, using the ridiculously complex steering wheel – it has over 30 knobs and buttons – as the basis for the watch. That resulted in an aggressive combination of colours – the functions of the steering wheel are colour coded – making one one of the more polarising R.S designs.  

The R.S.18 breaks new ground for the line, as B&R dials back the use of bright colours and carbon composite in favour of good old titanium. Rather than sticking with carbon composite, which is now common in watchmaking, the R.S.18 has matured enough to rely on titanium and a bit more imagination. 

The R.S.18 duo – Lavender Chang

Solid backs on both – Lavender Chang

BR-X1 R.S.18

In keeping with the perennial quest for lightness that defines Formula One, the bezel, case middle and lugs of the BR-X1 R.S.18 has been hollowed out. Granted, the weight reduction does not leave it as light as a carbon composite watch case, but the permanence of a metal case is always welcome in a luxury watch. 

On the wrist, the 45mm, micro-blasted titanium case wears well and light despite its size. The lugs are short which greatly improves the ergonomics. While I’m usually a fan of smaller watches between 36mm and 40mm, I still enjoy the sheer presence of this timepiece, which fits its genre and purpose.

Detail of the recesses cut into the titanium case – Lavender Chang

The case construction is complex and detailed, as one would expect from the BR-X1 range, which is the high-end, “experimental” line of B&R’s square watches.

Both chronograph pushers are “rocker” style, essentially titanium levers pivoted on one end. The construction of the pushers is especially appropriate, being reminiscent of the paddle shifters in a Formula One car. The yellow rubber inserts on the pushers are embossed with the universal symbols of start, pause, and reset, cleverly indicating their function without being too obvious (with text labels for instance). And the titanium crown is screw-down and topped with the B&R logo in relief.

Helpfully labelled pushers – Lavender Chang

Though the racing inspiration is still obvious, the colour palette of the watch is more restrained – a welcome evolution. Yellow accents on the dial and rubber inserts on the case are just enough to remind you of Renault Sport. 

The sapphire dial has applied hour markers that are crisp and defined – with generous Super-Luminove filling – leaving the cal. BR-CAL.313 visible right below.

The movement is identical to that found in other BR-X1 models, and is an ETA 2892 with a custom, skeletonised chronograph module made by Dubois-Depraz. With a main plate that’s open-worked to form an “X”, the module reveals the intricacy of the chronograph mechanism, as well as the skeleton date wheel. 

The open dial – Lavender Chang

Also new is the rubber strap, which is now perforated in a linear pattern – think of it as a twist on traditional, vented “rally” straps.

If the BR-X1 R.S.18 has any shortcomings, it’s the stiff retail price of US$23,000, or S$31,500, which places it in a segment where competition is keen and the offerings diverse.

BR 03-94 R.S.18

Much more affordable but with almost as much Formula One inspiration is the BR 03-94 R.S.18. It sticks to the same basic formula as its pricier cousin, without going quite as extreme. Notably, the BR 03-94 R.S.18 wears slightly lighter than the BR-X1, due to its smaller 42mm case.

The titanium case has the same hollowed out design, but with a less drastic execution. And the complexity of the BR 03 case is not nearly as elaborate as on the BR-X1 – it’s comprised of fewer parts – though it still retains rocker-style chronograph buttons, albeit simplified. Here the pushers made from red anodised aluminium.

The case detail – Lavender Chang

And the crown is press-fit, making it marginally more elementary in both design and functionality. That being said, both this and the BR-X1 have the same water-resistance rating of 100m; that’s because a screw-down crown serves more to protect the stem and tube rather than increase water-resistance.

The dial of the BR 03-94 R.S.18 is typical of a racing-inspired watch, made of a carbon fibre reinforced polymer that shows the weave of the carbon, with applied numerals on top. And the hands are understandably less elaborate than those on BR-X1 R.S.18.

Depth and detail is provided by the chronograph registers, which have been open-worked to reveal a bit of the mechanics. Underneath the dial is sits the BR-CAL.301, the tried and trusted, and modular, chronograph ETA 2894, a heavily simplified version of the movement in the BR-X1.

The dial in carbon fibre – Lavender Chang

The BR 03-94 R.S.18 is fitted to the same perforated rubber strap and is a limited edition of 999 pieces. More crucially, it is a third of the price of the BR-X1 R.S.18.

Concluding thoughts

I love the new styling of the R.S.18, which steers clear of overt and convenient racing cues. This interpretation of Formula One feels more multi-dimensional, while also managing to separate the two watches. Both are similar, yet distinctive at the same time.

The BR-X1 R.S.18 is a watch that offers a lot in tangible details, more than one might typically expect from B&R. Its retail price pits the BR-X1 against the likes of the Hublot Big Bang and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore – a bare knuckles fight. 

In comparison, the BR 03-94 R.S.18 has less detail and depth, yet is arguably the more compelling proposition. It is not a watered down version of the fancier BR-X1, but it stands well on its own, especially when considering its relatively modest cost.

Price and availability 

The BR-X1 R.S.18 (ref. BRX1-RS18) is priced at US$23,000, or S$31,500, while the BR 03-94 R.S.18 (ref: BR0394-RS18) is US$6500, or S$9,500. For more, visit bellross.com.