Bell & Ross, founded in Paris in 1992 by Bruno Belamich (bell) and Carlos A. Rosillo (ross), designs watches inspired by aviation instruments. The brand's signature square-cased BR 03 series mimics cockpit clocks, while the BR 05 (2019) adapted this aesthetic into a more wearable luxury sport format with an integrated bracelet.
Available below retail on the secondary market at 20% discount, this model offers exceptional value for buyers willing to purchase pre-owned. This pricing makes it one of the better value propositions in the sport watch category.
The WVS Value Score of 64/100 reflects the balance between this watch's specifications, brand positioning, and market dynamics. While not the highest-scoring watch in its category, it may offer advantages in other areas such as design, availability, or raw specification value.
The annual cost of ownership comes to $391 per year — roughly the cost of a gym membership. This factors in depreciation, periodic servicing, and insurance, and represents good value for a watch of this caliber.
Understanding the true cost of owning a luxury watch requires looking beyond the purchase price. Our cost-of-ownership model calculates the annual net expense of keeping the Bell & Ross BR 05 BR05A-BL-ST/SST on your wrist, factoring in three key components.
First, depreciation: based on historical pricing data for this reference and similar Bell & Ross models, we estimate annual value change at 6%. This depreciation rate is typical for this price segment and brand positioning. Second, servicing: Bell & Ross recommends periodic maintenance to ensure accuracy and water resistance. We amortize the estimated service cost across the recommended interval, arriving at $80 per year. Third, insurance: at approximately 1.5% of market value, annual insurance costs $62 to protect against theft, loss, or accidental damage.
Combining these factors yields a net annual cost of $391. That's roughly $1.07 per day — less than a daily cup of coffee.
Estimated market price trend based on aggregated public listing data. Prices reflect average asking prices for complete sets in excellent condition. Updated monthly.
Our proprietary score rates every luxury watch on a 0-100 scale across five dimensions. Scores above 85 indicate exceptional value retention and market positioning. The formula is transparent and weight-based.
When considering the Bell & Ross BR 05 BR05A-BL-ST/SST, it helps to understand how it compares to alternatives in the sport watch category. The highest-scoring alternative is the Rolex Explorer with a Value Score of 89/100, slightly above the BR05A-BL-ST/SST's 64/100. The comparison table below provides a detailed side-by-side analysis of all key metrics.
| Watch | Market Price | Size | WR | Own/Yr | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell & Ross BR 05 BR05A-BL-ST/SST | $3,500–$4,800 | 40mm | 100m | $391/yr | 64 |
| Rolex Explorer 124270 | $8,500–$11,000 | 36mm | 100m | $100/yr | 89 |
| Rolex Air-King 126900 | $8,000–$11,000 | 40mm | 100m | $99/yr | 88 |
| Rolex Explorer 226570 | $10,500–$14,000 | 36mm | 100m | $105/yr | 87 |
| Cartier Santos WSSA0018 | $6,000–$7,800 | 39.8mm | 100m | $598/yr | 76 |
| Cartier Santos WSSA0029 | $6,500–$8,200 | 39.8mm | 100m | $631/yr | 76 |
Luxury sport watches bridge the gap between tool watches and haute horlogerie. Models like the Nautilus and Royal Oak created the luxury sports watch category in the 1970s, proving that a steel watch could command gold-level prices through superior design and finishing.
Sport watch buyers should consider the integrated bracelet design (a hallmark of the category), water resistance adequate for daily wear (100m+), movement robustness including anti-magnetic properties, and overall case/bracelet finishing. The best examples feature hand-finished movements despite their sporty exterior.
The luxury sport watch is arguably the most versatile category in modern watchmaking. An Audemars Piguet Royal Oak or Patek Philippe Nautilus is appropriate with everything from shorts to a suit. This versatility drives both demand and resale values.
Bell & Ross watches are available through authorized dealers and the brand's own boutiques. Discounts are occasionally available. The BR 05 represents the brand's best current value proposition — a distinctive luxury sport watch with integrated bracelet at a significantly lower price point than competitors from AP, Patek, or Vacheron.
Bell & Ross uses modified Sellita/ETA movements in most models, with Kenissi (Tudor/Rolex Group) calibres in newer pieces. While not in-house, the movements are reliable and well-proven. The BR 05's Sellita SW300-1 offers solid accuracy and 42-hour power reserve.
Service intervals are every 4-5 years with costs of $400-$700. The use of widely-available Sellita/ETA movements means service can be performed by most qualified independent watchmakers, keeping maintenance costs accessible.
Bell & Ross watches depreciate 35-50% from retail. The brand has a smaller collector following than established Swiss houses, limiting secondary market demand. However, the BR 05 is generating new interest in the brand and may improve resale trajectory as the design gains recognition.
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| Ref | Variant | Retail | Score | Own/Yr | Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BR05A-BL-ST/SST | Steel/Blue ◂ | $5,200 | 64 | $391/yr | $3,500–$4,800 |
Value Score 64/100 · $391/year to own · 94% retention