The French watchmaker is arming Defender drivers with its BR-X3 Black Titanium watch.
Bell & Ross has decided 2026 is the year it gets into rally racing. The French watchmaker just announced it will be the official time partner of Land Rover in the World Rally-Raid Championship, as reported by Women’s Wear Daily. It will also be the team Defender’s timekeeper for the Dakar Rally. The first leg of the annual championship commences this Saturday, January 3, and wraps up on Saturday, January 17. Land Rover will be racing the Defender Dakar D7X-R, with the SUV showcasing a special sand-colored livery inspired by the desert through which it will race.
“The Dakar Rally is a symbol of boldness, exploration, and pushing beyond one’s limits—values that lie at the very heart of Bell & Ross’ DNA,” the watchmaker’s cofounder and chief executive officer, Carlos Rosillo, told WWD.
As part of the partnership, Bell & Ross is arming the Defender drivers with its BR-X3 Black Titanium watch. Launched in September 2025, this model is a high-performance evolution of the classic, aviation-inspired BR-03 with an experimental twist (that explains the “X” in the name). The traditional, 41 mm square-shaped case is made of Grade 5 titanium, rendering it exceptionally strong yet lightweight. The “circle in a square” black dial has the signature X-shaped design with a date window at 3 o’clock and a power gauge at 9 o’clock. Numerals and markers filled with Super-LumiNova ensure a high legibility akin to the instruments of an aircraft cockpit (or Defender dash even).
“The functional design of our iconic square watch naturally echoes that of Defender Dakar D7X-R,” added Bell & Ross cofounder and creative director Bruno Belamich. “Both express a bold, uncompromising character defined by strong lines and purposeful forms.”
Inside lies the BR-Cal.323. Made together with Kenissi, the automatic movement runs at a rate of 28,800 vibrations/hour, provides 70 hours of power reserve, and is chronometer-certified by COSC. That is the kind of precision and power one needs during a grueling rally race.
The new partnership isn’t exactly surprising. Bell & Ross has a track record in motorsport, working with the Renault and Alpine teams in Formula 1. It is, however, another reminder that it creates incredible tool watches fit for the most challenging conditions.
The BR-X3 Black Titanium costs $8,300 (around €7,100) a pop.
