We’ve seen the distressed look in the sneaker world and, of course, with jeans. Even the watch industry has gotten in on the action with faux patina or weathered watch straps. There’s something appealing about a piece of clothing or accessory that’s aged a bit. It’s like you’re connected to the history those items have lived through. Tarnished steel and worn leather are signs of progeny, perhaps passed down through the generations.

On the other hand, there are signs of wear that are less appealing. Say, a broken phone screen or a cracked watch crystal (or a chipped tooth while we’re at it). This is the type of incidental cosmetic damage that luxury watchmaker Bell & Ross has somewhat tapped into with its latest BR-05 Skeleton Arctic Blue, which goes way beyond faux patina.

Not All It’s Cracked Up to Be

Say you spend $8,000 on a new watch. And since you wear it on your wrist all day, you run the risk of accidentally banging it into some sort of sharp edge that cracks the sapphire crystal. Fixing the glass isn’t impossible but a hassle nonetheless. Well, what would you say if we told you that you can now purchase an $8,000 watch with that crack already in place? 

Well, that’s kinda what Bell & Ross had in mind here. However, it keeps that crack on the intermediary crystal — not the one on top. This sapphire covers the movement displayed underneath and is intended to look like a cracked piece of ice, like a frozen lake or even an iceberg. 

To get the job done, the brand first tinted the crystal in light blue and then laser-engraved the top and bottom of the crystal, adding a white “frost” printing along the center to complete the effect. Surrounding the crystal is a light blue flange to match the crystal.

Bell & Ross BR-05 Skeleton Arctic Blue Basics

Aside from the unconventional display, the BR-05 Skeleton Arctic Blue pretty much shares the same specs as your usual BR-05 Skeleton. Featuring the hallmark squared stainless steel case (with rounded edges) and circular dial, the watch measures 40mm across and boasts 100m of water resistance. The watch comes with either a white rubber strap or a satin-finished steel bracelet.

Under the openworked dial and caseback, you’ll see the in-house BR-CAL.322-1 automatic caliber, which has 54 hours of power reserve. This is a manufacture movement based on the Sellita SW300, which is a solid caliber in its own right.

While the idea of spending over $8,000 on a stylish sports watch with a faux-cracked crystal (instead of, you know, one without it) might be a tough sell, this is a conversation starter nonetheless, in a space quite literally driven by conversation starters. Even though I was taken aback at first glance, the aesthetic has really grown on me. And at least it’s not on the top-most sapphire crystal instead.

Spec Sheet

Pricing & Availability

Limited to just 250 pieces, the BR-05 Skeleton Arctic Blue should sell out rather quickly. Priced at either $7,700 or $8,200, depending on which strap option you choose, the watch is exclusive to Bell & Ross boutiques or e-boutiques.

Bell & Ross BR-05 Skeleton Arctic Blue

Bell & Ross put a faux-cracked sapphire crystal under its openworked dial to look like broken bodies of arctic water.