Bell & Ross just unveiled the new BR 05 Skeleton Phantom Ceramic, a bold and modern take on its integrated-bracelet sports watch—this time cloaked in a full-black ceramic case and fitted with a smoky sapphire dial revealing a skeletonized movement beneath. Limited to just 500 pieces, this release fuses contemporary materials, urban design, and horological transparency with quiet authority.
Bell & Ross and the BR 05: Precision with purpose
Founded in 1992, Bell & Ross made its name designing robust, utilitarian timepieces inspired by aviation instruments. But over the last decade, the brand has evolved beyond cockpit tools to embrace a broader aesthetic universe. The BR 05, launched in 2019, was the natural next step: a watch built for the city rather than the skies. With its integrated bracelet and softened square case, it became a lifestyle icon for those who value industrial design without sacrificing wearability.
The Skeleton editions of the BR 05 have pushed the line even further into the realm of technical elegance, combining openworked architecture with urban minimalism. The new Phantom Ceramic ups the ante by introducing a full-ceramic exterior and a new smoked sapphire dial that subtly darkens the mechanical spectacle inside.
A closer look at the BR 05 Skeleton Phantom Ceramic
The BR 05 Skeleton Phantom Ceramic features a 41mm case made from matte black ceramic, a material prized for its lightweight properties, scratch resistance, and deep, uniform color. The familiar rounded-square silhouette remains, with vertically brushed surfaces and polished bevels that create contrast and depth. The bracelet, also in ceramic, integrates seamlessly into the case with minimal tolerance and excellent finishing.
The real highlight lies beneath the smoked sapphire dial, which offers a ghost-like view of the BR-CAL.322 movement—based on the Sellita SW300-1 but heavily skeletonized and customized in-house by Bell & Ross. The bridges, plates, and main components are rendered in a dark grey finish that plays perfectly with the dial’s tinted transparency. The movement beats at 4Hz and offers a power reserve of 54 hours, with a black finish and an openworked rotor visible through the smoked sapphire caseback.
Despite the skeletonization, legibility is well preserved thanks to applied indices and skeleton hands filled with Super-LumiNova®. A screw-down crown ensures a respectable 100m water resistance, making the Phantom a rare blend of technical openness and everyday utility.
A watch for modern minimalists
The BR 05 Skeleton Phantom Ceramic is not for everyone, and that’s precisely its appeal. With its stealthy presence, sculptural design, and transparency, it speaks to urban creatives, contemporary design lovers, and collectors drawn to watches that challenge traditional notions of luxury. It’s just as at home in an art gallery as it is behind the wheel of a matte black electric coupe.
The ceramic construction and skeleton dial give the watch a tactile, almost architectural aura, evoking both strength and elegance. And unlike many skeleton watches that go over the top, the BR 05 Phantom finds balance in restraint. It doesn’t shout—it whispers complexity.
Price, availability, and final thoughts
Bell & Ross continues to refine its position as a maker of urban luxury timepieces with the BR 05 Skeleton Phantom Ceramic. Limited to 500 pieces, the watch is priced at $9,900 USD and is available now through select Bell & Ross retailers and the brand’s official website.
This is a confident, contemporary watch that rewards closer inspection. It won’t suit every wrist—but for those who get it, it will feel like it was made just for them. And if you are a fan of the brand, check out the Bell & Ross BR-03 Diver Lum Outline !
