While having a small resurgence in recent years, mirror polishing actually dates back to the 17th century in terms of watchmaking. The Japanese process of black polishing, or Zaratsu, involved meticulously buffing the steel cases in order to create a mirror-like finish that makes a timepiece look absolutely reflective. Modern examples from the likes of Zenith, ArtyA, and Bell & Ross have taken this technique to the nth degree.
For its latest release, B&R took its flagship BR-05 and polished it so much you can literally see yourself in the dial.
The Square-Circle Evolution
Bell & Ross launched the BR-05 back in 2019 as a departure from its instrument-focused heritage, creating a more versatile urban sports watch that could compete with the integrated bracelet crowd. Where the brand’s BR-01 and BR-03 lines doubled down on aviation cockpit aesthetics, the BR-05 softened those angles into something you could actually wear to dinner. The circle-within-a-square case stayed, but everything got refined — smoother transitions, cleaner lines, and an H-link bracelet.
Now they’re pushing that refinement even further. The Grey Mirror Steel takes the BR-05’s already polished design language and cranks the reflectivity to eleven.
All Steel, All Reflection
The BR-05 Grey Mirror Steel strips away nearly everything from the dial except the essentials. No date window, no Arabic numerals, no minute track — just the bare minimum needed to tell time. The 40mm case keeps the BR-05’s signature rounded square profile with those four corner screws, but then Bell & Ross mirror-polished the rhodium-plated brass dial, the applied hour markers, the hands, and even the logo. The time becomes visible only through the varying depths of these components catching light differently.
This approach extends to the case and bracelet. The H-link band alternates between brushed outer links and polished center links, while the case uses both finishes to frame the reflective dial.
The movement is Bell & Ross’s BR-CAL.321-1, which is essentially their standard automatic caliber but without the date module (hence the “-1” designation). It’s based on the Sellita SW300-1, delivers a 54-hour power reserve, and features a full 360-degree oscillating weight visible through the sapphire caseback.
See Yourself More than the Time
This timepiece certainly prioritizes aesthetics over legibility, which is almost heretical for a brand rooted in aviation instrumentation. The mirror-polished dial looks stunning, but it’ll likely be harder to read than a standard BR-05. Bell & Ross knows this.
A definite sports watch at the end of the day, the model still maintains 100m of water resistance with a screw-down crown and crown guard, and there’s an AR-coated sapphire crystal protecting that dial. You also get both the steel bracelet and a black rubber strap with folding clasp to give you options.
Spec Sheet
Model: BR-05 Grey Mirror Steel (BR05A-MI-ST/SST)
Case Material: Polished and satin-finished stainless steel
Case Size: 40mm
Case Thickness: 10.5mm
Movement: Bell & Ross BR-CAL.321-1 automatic (based on Sellita SW300-1)
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Water Resistance: 100m
Crystal: Sapphire with anti-reflective coating
Dial: Mirror-polished rhodium-plated brass
Strap: Integrated steel bracelet or black rubber strap
Limited Edition: 250 pieces
Pricing & Availability
The BR-05 Grey Mirror Steel is limited to 250 numbered pieces and available exclusively through Bell & Ross’ boutiques. Pricing starts at €5,400 (~$6,349) on the rubber strap or €5,900 (~$6,937) with the integrated steel bracelet.
Recap
Bell & Ross BR-05 Grey Mirror Steel
Bell & Ross took their BR-05 sports watch and polished every surface — dial, hands, indices — into a mirror finish. It’s limited run of 250 pieces that prioritizes reflective aesthetics over the brand’s usual instrument-watch legibility.
