An orrery of any scale is a fascinating feat, especially when it’s scaled down to a wristwatch. The creation is lauded not just for their technical difficulty, but from their connection to humanity’s enduring intrigue with the cosmos. For more sophisticated astronomical complications, the craft originated in the Middle Ages with astronomical clocks in European town squares, with the first portable astronomical watches appearing in the 16th century. These early pieces often displayed zodiac signs, lunar cycles, and solar movements, reflecting both scientific understanding and astrological beliefs of the time.

While modern technology has made celestial tracking more accessible, certain astronomical displays in mechanical watches are valued as artistic expressions of human ingenuity in miniature form. Case in point: Bell & Ross’ new BR-03 Astro.

Mars hours, Moon minutes

This departure from the brand’s typically instrument-focused designs embraces a more imaginative approach. Yes, we still have the square case, measuring 41mm in diameter and 11.5mm in height in black ceramic, but this time, underneath the sapphire crystal displays a miniature planetary system made up of the Earth, Moon, Mars, and a satellite — well, the latter ones showing time-only, that is.

The conceptual genesis of the BR-03 Astro draws from the International Space Station’s Cupola observation dome, as explained by Bruno Belamich, Bell & Ross’s Creative Director and Co-Founder. “I imagined Earth seen from space in symbolic alignment with the Moon and Mars,” he shared in a statement, describing how the watch serves as a porthole into the cosmos. 

The Earth takes center stage, fashioned as a specially carved spherical cap in the glass dial, enabling a three-dimensional representation of Earth through an intricate decal process. Against a backdrop of blue aventurine, two celestial bodies track the passage of time: Mars indicates the hours, the Moon displays minutes, and a small satellite marks seconds as it completes its orbit around Earth every minute. The time-only display runs on the automatic-winding BR.CAL-327; the watch is limited to 999 pieces worldwide and retails for USD 4,800.

You got to hand it to Bell & Ross for their novel approach. While traditionally these complications are viewed through a mathematical lens, they’ve given us a satellite’s view of space — something most of us will never get to see in person. It’s an interesting perspective to put it up close, still fulfilling that age-old human wonder of looking up at the stars.

Tech Specs: Bell & Ross BR-03 Astro

Movement: Automatic-winding BR-CAL.327; 54-hour power reserve
Functions: Mysterious hours and minutes; central seconds
Case: 41mm × 11.5mm; black ceramic; water-resistant to 100m
Dial: Blue aventurine glass
Strap: Black rubber with matt black PVD steel buckle or black synthetic fabric
Price: USD 4,800 / CHF 4,500 / EU 4,990 / SGD 6,600
Availability: Limited to 999 pieces