As one of the founders of Bell & Ross, Carlos Rosillo is a man with an impressive track record. Driven by a deep passion for watchmaking, he transformed the brand into one of the pillars of the contemporary watch industry. By carefully developing the DNA of Bell & Ross, he created a unique brand that stands out for its original approach to professional watches. In his busy schedule, Rosillo took time to update WatchTime and talk about all things Bell & Ross.
Bells & Ross CEO Carlos Rosillo
As one of the founders of Bell & Ross, how is the world of watches different now compared to when you first started?
Since we started, creativity has made the difference so now production is a must.
What achievements are you most proud of over the years?
I’m proud of the growth of our brand. To give a concrete example, the launch of our new product line BR-X5. It was a success; This product line has been well received by journalists and the public and for us it is a real achievement. This is the first time we have worked with the Kenissi movement. It gives us a power reserve of 72 hours and a very famous manufactured movement. For us, it was really a step forward that allowed us to join the very closed “club” of the maker movement.
We are also proud to have 2 icons that define us: BR 03 and BR 05, this brand has a very recognizable design and a strong identity.
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Bells & Ross is never afraid to take things to the next level, like with this Skull watch
The COVID-19 pandemic is a challenge for many watch brands. How does it impact Bell & Ross, and how do you address it?
The pandemic for us was a real opportunity to move more to social networks, especially Instagram. That really allowed us to reach new customers and helped Bell & Ross grow internationally.
We have partners – media, watch collectors and retailers, who put out great editorials. Then we have social media channels to reinforce the message. The growth of online presence has been amazing during this time. Brands have become increasingly closer to fans and customers thanks to social networks. What gives us a big advantage is that we are one of the only luxury brands with an online store where we sell almost all of our products.
Bells & Ross produces watches in four different worlds (Pilot, Diver, Urban & Racer). How do they relate to the brand’s DNA?
Our link to all these universes, to all these different teams and units are the experts. Bell & Ross DNA will provide watches for pilots, divers, racers or astronauts as a tool for their missions.
Bells & Ross was and remains a watchmaker for professionals for whom a watch must not only be a tool to assist them in their duties but also a constant ally. Bell & Ross aimed to achieve its main goal: to create functional watches for extreme men.
The BR05 is the latest watch line Bell & Ross has added to its collection
BR-05 proved to be a huge success. Did you foresee this?
We design products to meet the needs of our customers, and the BR 05 is a new adventure for Bell & Ross as we combine our urban explorer identity with a line of stylish, stylish watches. more strength. It was a huge success and is now one of our best sellers with our iconic BR 03. What is so exciting about launching a new watch, as with every new product, is that no one can predict how it will be received. public. Knowing what makes a watch successful is always complicated, but we can always count on Bruno’s talent to imagine timepieces that appeal to our community and above all , remains completely within the brand’s DNA by keeping our basics intact: the circle within the square, 4 screws and the iconic dial.
How did the development of the BR-05 take place?
We started with the case of the BR 03 and created a more urban style watch with an integrated strap. Even though we chose to remove the lugs, the design still maintains the iconic character of the iconic BR 03.
You introduced some great new watches during the Watches & Wonders event, but what can we expect in the near future from Bell & Ross?
The keyword for 2023 is evolution. Development in terms of identity as well as in terms of cooperation. The goal is always to work hard, to look for the details that change everything, to strengthen the relationships we have with our partners.
