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Bell & Ross

Bell & Ross been taking cockpit instruments and transforming them into wristwatches. The design has become an integral part of the brand’s DNA, but the new BR-03 Helipad may be its most playful aviation-inspired creation yet. 

Limited to 500 pieces, the 41 mm black ceramic watch transforms its dial into a miniature helipad, complete with a hovering helicopter that doubles as the time display. 

Instead of conventional hands, the helicopter’s nose indicates the minutes, its spinning rotor serving as the seconds hand. The hours are shown via a rotating disc styled as the helipad beneath. 

Despite the unconventional layout, the display is surprisingly intuitive. The use of Super-LumiNova adds to its legibility.

Powering the watch is Bell & Ross’ automatic BR-CAL.327 movement with a 54-hour power reserve, housed in the brand’s signature square case that is water-resistant to 100 m. 

The watch comes with interchangeable yellow rubber and black velcro fabric straps – the former exudes sporty vibes, while the latter reinforces the timepiece’s aviation and rescue helicopter inspiration.

Aside from the BR-03 Helipad, the brand’s other playful time-telling instruments include the Radar and Red Radar, which reinvent time-telling through rotating discs that evoke the sweep of an air traffic control radar screen; and the Altimeter, which integrates the markings of a barometric altimeter, an instrument that measures elevation through changes in air pressure.

There is also the BR 03-92 HUD, inspired by the head-up display technology found in modern fighter jets; and, more recently, the BR-03 GMT Compass and the BR-03 Gyrocompass, which turn navigation instruments into sleek, functional design objects. 

Longines

When Longines revived the Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve in 2024 to mark the 70th anniversary of the Conquest collection, it brought back one of the brand’s most intriguing but largely forgotten complications. 

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The model pays tribute to a rare 1959 Conquest that displayed its remaining power reserve through two rotating discs at the centre of the dial. This unconventional system developed by Longines stood apart from the typical sub-dial arrangement favoured by other brands.

Two years on, Longines has expanded the collection with a fresh light blue opaline dial. The new 38 mm version retains the signature central power reserve display, where a baton-shaped indicator sweeps across an outer scale from 64 to zero hours.

It creates a dynamic and intuitive way of showing the movement’s remaining autonomy while also giving the dial and watch a distinctive character.

Powering the watch is Longines’ exclusive L896.5 automatic movement with a silicon balance spring, delivering a 72-hour power reserve and improved resistance to magnetism. 

The newest Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve is available on either a stainless-steel bracelet or grey leather strap.