The Manual Wind: The Tattooed Bell & Ross BR-01 Burning Skull Watch

By Ian Schwam Published September 7, 2016

All watch enthusiasts want something unique on their wrist. Whether walking into the office, or walking into the local watering hole, no guy wants to see another dude with the same timepiece on. The custom timepiece market has been increasing in popularity for just this reason. Brands like Bamford Watch Co are taking classic timepieces from Rolex, Patek Philippe, and others, and making them unique to the wearer. Using coatings, colors, and even case engravings to do so, masterpieces are being made all around. Bell and Ross, being a fashion forward brand, has seen the trend and taken matters into their own hands creating their latest limited edition, the Burning Skull watch.

Related: Grand Seiko Limited Edition Series

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Known for their 46mm square aviation themed timepiece, the BR-01, Bell and Ross has created numerous limited editions in this case, but none like the Burning Skull. Bell and Ross took their Airborne skull BR-01 and made it even more unique. Commemorating the WW2 parachutists who brought “Death from Above”, this timepiece is hand engraved to resemble a tattoo. The skull, proudly worn by Norman parachutists, combined with the this unique tattoo style engraving, celebrates the art of military tattooing. Each case is hand engraved and the skull dial is made from stamped steel, similar to how a coin would be stamped. Below the dial lies a swiss BR calibre automatic movement. The watch is paired with a brown crocodile strap and pin buckle.

Case engraving like that of the Bell and Ross Burning Skull are becoming more popular with the custom watch crowd. Incredible man hours are necessary to complete these unique jobs. The outcome is spectacular and well worth the effort. Limited to only 500 pieces worldwide, the Burning Skull watch is hands down the most unique limited edition Bell and Ross has come out with. With an MSRP of $7,700, the price is not nearly as dramatic as this work of art.

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Watches

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Contributing writer and watch enthusiast Ian Schwam dons an expert knowledge of all things watches. Having spent a decade in…

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Patrick Dempsey becomes face of Tag Heuer eyewear in expanded ambassador role

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Patrick dempsey for tag heuer eyewear

Dempsey has been a brand ambassador for over a decade. His dual career as an actor and a professional racing driver, including a podium finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans-fits the brand’s focus on performance, precision, and lasting style.
Dempsey’s expanded role comes with Tag Heuer’s latest eyewear launch. The collection was made in collaboration with Thélios, LVMH’s eyewear division. The campaign features Dempsey wearing two key models: the Jack Heuer and Mini Vingt-Sept lines.
One campaign image stands out. Dempsey recreates a well-known portrait of Jack Heuer holding a chronograph. This visual connects the brand’s heritage with its future. The timing is fitting, following Dempsey’s role as racing legend Piero Taruffi in the 2024 film “Ferrari.” This nods to Jack Heuer’s partnership with an Italian automaker in 1971.
The 2025 eyewear collection has three lines. The Jack Heuer frames are inspired by 1960s pilots and use Japanese titanium and ChromaFade lenses. The Mini Vingt-Sept line updates the brand’s technical eyewear with steel hinges and bio-nylon temples. The Shield Pro line is focused on performance, offering flexible frames and interchangeable lenses.
Dempsey’s involvement with Tag Heuer has always been hands-on. He’s attended events like the Monaco Grand Prix and boutique openings. In 2019, he received the “Spirit of Le Mans” award for his contributions to endurance racing.
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H Moser Streamliner Tourbillon Skeleton Rainbow

H. Moser & Cie. has introduced its most ornate Streamliner so far with the new Tourbillon Skeleton Rainbow edition. This watch directly competes with Rolex’s Rainbow Daytona in the very expensive sports watch category.
Available in rose gold (CHF 175,000) or stainless steel (CHF 125,000), the 40mm watch is a showcase of both watchmaking and jewelry skills. The bezel is set with 60 carefully selected baguette-cut colored sapphires.
The Streamliner’s cushion-shaped case created unique challenges for gem-setters. Each sapphire had to be chosen for its color to create a rainbow gradient around the bezel, and each one also had to be cut to a different size to fit the case design.
At the center of this watch is Moser’s skeletonized HMC 814 automatic movement, visible through the open dial. The large one-minute flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock serves as both a technical feature and a visual focal point.
A look at the back of the watch reveals similar attention to detail. The Moser-branded rose gold rotor is skeletonized, exposing the gears, wheels, bridges, and springs of the movement underneath.
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The Rainbow Streamliner stands apart from Moser’s usual simple design, which is known for its fumé dials and minimalist approach. Still, it maintains the brand’s focus on independent watchmaking, while entering a category associated with brands like Rolex and its Rainbow Daytona watch that has become highly sought after on the resale market.
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Tudor's pink pelagos

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Only 300 pieces will be made, with a price of £4,650 (about $5,000 plus tax). The watch pays tribute to the Maglia Rosa, the pink jersey worn by the race leader during the three-week event. Pink-accented Tudor watches aren’t new-last year, the brand introduced a pink-dialed Black Bay Chrono in partnership with Inter Miami, the soccer club partly owned by Tudor ambassador David Beckham. However, the new Pelagos FXD Chrono Pink uses pink as an accent rather than covering the entire dial.
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