The world of luxury watches and the world of cigars have crossed paths before. Bell & Ross even has an entire Edición Limitada line dedicated to the cigar lifestyle. But for its latest creation, the French watchmaker decided to call in a specialist. Folks, meet the Bell & Ross BR-05 Chrono S.T. Dupont, a watch that celebrates fine timepieces, fine cigars, and probably the kind of people who own a dedicated cigar room.
Created in partnership with S.T. Dupont, the legendary French maker of lighters and smoking accessories, the BR-05 Chrono S.T. Dupont is limited to just 150 pieces worldwide. The collaboration is immediately obvious from the warm brown and rose-gold color palette, inspired by premium cigars and the rituals surrounding them.
Based on the urban BR-05 Chrono, the watch features a 42 mm steel case paired with a brown sunray dial that shifts from deep tobacco hues to amber reflections depending on the light. Rose gold-colored numerals, indices, and hands complete the look, while the S.T. Dupont logo proudly sits at 6 o’clock. Inside is Bell & Ross’ BR-CAL.326 automatic chronograph movement with a 60-hour power reserve and 100 meters of water resistance.
The watch is available on either a brown leather strap with a faux alligator finish or a striking two-tone steel-and-rose-gold bracelet. Personally, the bracelet version looks like the sort of watch that should be worn while discussing vintage cars, fine spirits, and whether a cigar should be aged longer than some people’s mortgages.
But the real party trick is the presentation box. Each watch arrives in a Macassar ebony case lined with Spanish cedar that can be converted into a humidor for up to 50 cigars. Nestled alongside the watch are a matching S.T. Dupont Ligne 2 lighter and a coordinating cigar cutter, creating what Bell & Ross calls an exceptional triptych between watchmaking and cigars.
The Bell & Ross BR-05 Chrono S.T. Dupont is not just a watch. It is a complete cigar-themed lifestyle kit disguised as a limited-edition chronograph. And yes, it may be one of the most expensive excuses ever created to check the time, or to light up. Speaking of which, if anyone’s interested, the strap model goes for US$15,200, while the bracelet variety commands US$19,800.
Images: Bell & Ross.