Bell & Ross has surprised again with the Bell & Ross BR-03 GMT Compass, which combines a classic GMT movement with a built-in compass function. This limited edition of 500 pieces is not just a timepiece, but a tool for travelers who want to stay on track – literally.
Imagine you’re in the middle of the wilderness, your phone is dead, and you need to find your way north. Instead of improvising with a regular watch, Bell & Ross offers a solution: a watch that converts into a compass. The Bell & Ross BR-03 GMT Compass isn’t just another GMT model, but a tribute to the cockpit instruments that the brand loves. Ironically – in a world where smartphones guide us everywhere – this watch reminds us that sometimes we need something analog to keep us on track.
Batman frame meets navigation station
Bell & Ross stays true to its square aesthetic with a 42mm stainless steel case that’s reminiscent of aircraft instruments. Four visible screws on the corners, a ribbed crown – all of which give the watch a rugged, cockpit look. What sets it apart from the standard BR-03 GMT model, however, is the bidirectional bezel, which acts as a time zone tracker and a direction indicator at the same time. The blue part covers the daytime hours from 6am to 6pm, while the black part covers the nighttime hours from 6pm to 6am, earning it the nickname “Batman” among collectors – because, why not have a watch that’s a bit comic book-esque?
But the real fun begins when this bezel interacts with an internal flange that features a 360-degree scale with four cardinal directions. This turns a regular GMT into a tool you can use to navigate if you find yourself without a signal on a hike. No more guesswork – just the precision you expect from an aviation-inspired brand.
Understanding Chaos on the Dial
The dial is full of detail, yet remains legible. The standard hour and minute hands are filled with white Super-LumiNova, which glows green in the dark, while the seconds hand spans the entire diameter – black on one side, blue on the other, where only the blue part counts. The centerpiece is a skeletonized diamond-shaped GMT hand, divided between red and white, that looks like a real compass needle.
Here’s where the genius trick comes in: the GMT hand is double-sided with two arrows, allowing you to track up to three time zones at once. Set the red part to the GMT time zone, and use the white part with a compass scale for orientation. The deep black dial provides good contrast, and there’s a date window between 4 and 5 o’clock. It’s all packaged in a useful but not overly cluttered design – as if Bell & Ross were saying, “Why keep it simple when it can be fun?”
Solar time and how a compass works
Using the compass requires a little more effort than regular GMT complications, but it's worth understanding. First, set the red GMT hand to solar time - this is the actual position of the sun in the sky, not the standardized time zones we use for convenience.
Once you have your solar time set, the process is simple: place the watch flat on the ground and rotate it until the red GMT hand is pointing directly at the sun. The compass scale and the cardinal directions on the bezel will then show the correct orientation. No mental calculations or dividing angles – just point and read. Of course, you could try the classic “point the hour hand at the sun” method, but that would be about as close as navigating with a map from a children’s book. This watch does everything precisely.
Built for long journeys
The case measures 42mm in diameter and 12.3mm thick, made of stainless steel with a mix of satin and polished surfaces. It is water resistant to 100 meters, which is enough for everyday adventures. It is powered by the BR-CAL.303 automatic movement, which beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a 54-hour power reserve.
Bell & Ross includes two strap options: black rubber for durability and an ultra-durable black synthetic fabric for a more tactical look. As if to say, “Choose your adventure, but stay stylish.”
Technical details: Bell & Ross BR-03 GMT Compass
- Case size: 42 mm
- Case thickness: 12.3 mm
- Case material: Satin and polished stainless steel
- Water resistance: 100 m
- Movement: Automatic mechanical BR-CAL.303
- Power reserve: 54 hours
- Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, GMT (24-hour hand), date, compass
- Bezel: Bidirectional rotating with 24-hour scale, blue and black anodized aluminum
- Crystal: Sapphire with anti-reflective coating
- Strap: Black rubber and black synthetic fabric
- Limited edition: 500 pieces
Price and availability
The Bell & Ross BR-03 GMT Compass is available directly from Bell & Ross for $5,000 – that’s $500 more than the standard BR-03 GMT. Limited to 500 pieces worldwide, it probably won't disappear overnight, but Bell & Ross collectors are quick to snap up the interesting limited editions once word spreads.
In a world where technology guides us at every turn, the Bell & Ross BR-03 GMT Compass is a reminder that sometimes it's good to have an analog safety net. This watch isn't just for tracking time across three time zones, it's also for finding your way when all else fails. For travelers who appreciate a blend of style and utility, this is a real hit.
