Bronze cases on dive watches just seem to be a predestined pairing. Not only evoking the nautical heritage of vintage dive suits, the material also boasts excellent corrosion resistance in saltwater, developing a desirable patina over time.
Bronze has played a major part in Bell & Ross’ BR-03 Diver for nearly a decade now, but following the big refresh the lineup experienced back in 2024, the Swiss watchmaker’s flagship dive watch has yet to show up dressed in the brown-hued metal (the last one we saw was the green-dialed version that dropped earlier that year). But with its latest release, all is right in the world, as the updated diver has taken arguably its most attractive form yet.
The Bronze Evolution
Bell & Ross first experimented with bronze on the BR-03 back in 2018, kicking off what would become a recurring theme for the collection. Since then, we’ve seen bronze iterations in various colorways — red, green, and others — each limited to around 500 to 999 pieces. But this new BR-03 Diver Black Bronze might be the sleekest execution we’ve seen. Like in the past, the brand opted for a CuSn8 alloy (92% copper, 8% tin) that maintains its warm, coppery-gold luster over time rather than developing aggressive patina. Some collectors might miss the weathered look, but there’s something to be said for a bronze case that seems to glisten.
What really sells this watch, though, is the contrast. The glossy black lacquered dial and black ceramic bezel ring play beautifully against the bronze case. B&R has always leaned into that black-and-gilt aesthetic with their dive watches, and here it shifts the diver out of tool watch territory to something much more luxurious.
The Usual Suspects
Underneath the bronze shell, you’re getting the same updated BR-03 Diver platform that debuted in 2024. The iconic 42mm square case remains intact (those four exposed screws aren’t going anywhere), as does the 300m water resistance and ISO 6425 compliance. Inside is the BR-CAL.302-1 automatic movement — a customized Sellita SW300-1 that delivers a 54-hour power reserve.
The dial features those tall “bathtub-style” applied indices and skeletonized hands, all filled with white Super-LumiNova that glows green in low light. A discreet date window sits at 4:30. The unidirectional rotating bezel uses a black ceramic insert with white lume markings, swapping out the full-bronze bezel from earlier models.
You get two strap options in the box: a textured black rubber strap for actual diving and a black synthetic canvas strap with velcro for everything else. Both work well with the bronze, though the rubber strap integrates into the case particularly nicely.
Spec Sheet
Model: BR-03 Diver Black Bronze (BR03A-D-BL-BR/SRB)
Case Material: CuSn8 bronze (satin-finished and polished)
Case Size: 42mm
Lug-to-Lug: 42mm
Case Thickness: 12.3mm
Movement: BR-CAL.302-1 automatic (Sellita SW300-1 base)
Power Reserve: 54 hours
Water Resistance: 300m (ISO 6425 certified)
Bezel: Unidirectional bronze bezel with black ceramic insert
Dial: Black lacquered with white Super-LumiNova (green glow)
Straps: Black rubber and black synthetic canvas
Limited Edition: 999 pieces
Pricing & Availability
The BR-03 Diver Black Bronze is priced at $5,500 and limited to 999 pieces worldwide. It ships in a lockable, waterproof diving case with both straps and adjustment tools.
Recap
Bell & Ross BR-03 Black Bronze
Bell & Ross just dropped the BR-03 Diver Black Bronze, pairing their iconic square dive watch with a warm bronze case and black dial for the first time since the 2024 refresh—and it might be their best-looking diver yet. Limited to 999 pieces at $5,500, it’s got that black-and-gilt aesthetic down with a CuSn8 bronze alloy that patinas less aggressively.
