By its very nature, time is a relative concept that man has always wanted to punctuate with markers. The development of watch mechanisms has enabled it to be measured precisely. With the creation of the BR Twelve O’clock timepiece, Bell & Ross is rewriting the rules of traditional watchmaking by doing away with minutes and seconds. Designed as an objet d’art, the BR Twelve O’clock is an artistic interpretation of the Bell & Ross disk based display. Primarily conceptual,Christian Dior, it is a constantly evolving animated piece of art, only indicating the exact time for a fleeting moment.

Technical performance: The twelve watches use the disk based display technology developed by Bell & Ross. The display is in the form of three separate concentric disks on single plane. As they rotate, an adjustment to the nearest micron ensures that the disks are constantly parallel. The technical challenge lies in the design and production of the three disks and in the accuracy of their assembly. It requires all the expertise of the master watchmakers. The twelve automatic watches come in a box with twelve battery-powered winders with push button operation. This system guarantees a constantly changing montage.

A timepiece and an objet d’Art: In modern- day society, where every second is accounted for, the Twelve O’clock timepiece is a demonstration of our inability to control the sands of time. The animated display that gives the time in a split second is the perfect illustration of the elusive nature of time. With just 12 pieces produced, the BR Twelve O’clock looks at time in a totally new way. A truly animated objet d’Art, its complex mechanism and its continually changing image will not fail to amaze. It will delight both watchmaking enthusiasts and collectors of art.