FOUND THE BELL & ROSS COMPANY LONG FRIENDS - DESIGNER BRUNO BELAMISH AND BUSINESSMAN CARLOS ROSILLO. THE FIRST syllables of their surnames, slightly adapted to the English manner, and served as the basis for the brand name. THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF A TECHNOLOGICAL CONCEPT ARE QUALITATIVE MATERIALS AND PROCESSING, RELIABILITY OF MECHANISMS. THESE CHARACTERIZES ALL BELL & ROSS WATCH MODELS, KNOWN, BEFORE EVERYTHING, AS WATCHES FOR REPRESENTATIVES OF EXTREME PROFESSIONS. MOST BELL & ROSS WATCHES ARE ABLE TO WITHstand SIGNIFICANT OVERLOADS AT ACCELERATION, TEMPERATURES OR PRESSURES.
Many of them resemble the dashboard of a combat vehicle - a simple round dial on a simple square base. An important feature is the convenience of reading information in almost any environment. And it began like this ...
BRUNO BELAMISH
Bell & Ross Creative Director Bruno Belamis was born in Paris in 1965. He received a brilliant education at the University of Ecole Nationale Superieure de Creation Industrielle de Paris, and the theme of his thesis was the creation of a new watch brand.
Bruno He is "Bell"
Bruno, what was your first invented watch?
As a young watch designer, I first worked with the German company Sinn. This partnership eventually led me to my own business. In 1994, Carlos and I, having spent two years building Bell & Ross, presented the first collection of watches that we invented and produced in Sinn workshops, starting to sell them in France and the USA.
In the first collection, we showed different types of professional watches. Their concept was based on instruments used by the military, pilots and sailors. As a designer, I adhere to the philosophy - functions should be consistent with the design and support it. Therefore, my main goal at Bell & Ross is to innovate and develop new types of watches based on technical specifications and the commercial component.
In any team, each performs its functions. I do.
You created a company when the watch market was already more than saturated. How was the exact identification of the new brand found?
Of course, we came to an existing field with our own rules. Moreover, a very competitive field. My goal was to come up with the DNA of a Bell & Ross watch, knowing how many hours had already been created long before me. Everything was not born at once, we discussed a lot and argued at first. I'm not on my own, but part of the team. Together we decided where we want to go, in which direction to move.
Professionals - pilots, sailors, submariners prompted us. They needed a clear, reliable, functional watch. And we have occupied this niche. She is not big. And I'm interested in it. Today, our watches are recognized at a glance, thanks to their shape, dial, and ease of perception.
I was struck by your new “Red Radar” watch, which is absolutely identical to the radars used by air traffic controllers. Where do you get such ideas from?
All from the same world of professionals. I do not need to be a controller to appreciate the beauty of the radar. In my opinion, the clock turned out expressive, in a matte black case with a bright red dial, on which the electronic hand moves. Wow!
Which of your watches are the most difficult today?
These are two models - the Hydro Watch, inside of which there is a liquid and which can withstand the highest pressure, and the BR 01 Tourbillon with an extremely complex mechanism.
What did you feel when you first picked up the first prototype of a Bell & Ross watch?
Exactly two years, since 1992, we spent on developing a collection, exploring the market, and coming up with a company name and logo. Of course, the first was a sense of pride! Yes, we did it!
Bruno, why does the company name begin with you?
Because the letter “B” in the alphabet stands in front of the letter “P” (laughs).
Tell me, joint business does not interfere with your friendship with Carlos? Or vice versa, friendship is business?
It seems to me that we complement each other perfectly. I am engaged in creativity, Carlos - in finance and company administration. Each in its place.
CARLOS ROSILLO, President and CEO of Bell & Ross
Carlos Antonio Rosillo was born in Paris in 1965. He is a graduate of the prestigious Parisian business school Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales (HEC). After graduation, he began working as a strategy adviser at the American consulting firm Strategic Planning Associates. Next was a job at Banque Bruxelles Lambert France. And in 1992, Carlos, together with his childhood friend Bruno Belamisch, founded Bell & Ross, in which he became co-founder and president.
Carlos He is "Ross"
Carlos, I already managed to congratulate you on the opening of the Bell & Ross Monoboutique in Dubai. Where is the company going to move on in its development?
I believe that all markets in the world today are interconnected. And if the brand is not represented on any of them, then, then, one of the links in the chain is missing. It seems to me that Russia and its neighboring countries are a huge cultural layer, so we, watchmakers, need to present our products there. I am our partnership with the Mercury Group, which we started at the height of the crisis in 2008-2009, as well as the desire of Russian buyers to purchase our best models, for which they do not mind going abroad. I like it, we are present in Dubai, and that brand is now well recognized and understood by consumers around the world.
It is very important. We plan to develop our basic collections, paying particular attention to the novelty - a series of women's watches.
What watches, in your opinion, can become bestsellers among all the Bell & Ross lines?
I suppose it can be our square watch from the BR 01 series or a minute repeater, if the buyer is set to purchase a complex movement. And, of course, I would pay attention to the samples from the VINTAGE collection, which has a pocket watch for men and women’s pendant watches for ladies. The beauty of the Bell & Ross watch in its sequence. Next is a matter of taste.
What did you feel when you first picked up the first prototype of a Bell & Ross watch?
Joy and pride. And some doubt about how our creation will be accepted.
Carlos, why does the company name not start with you?
Probably because my last name begins with one of the last letters of the alphabet.
Tell me, joint business does not interfere with your friendship with Bruno? Or vice versa, friendship is business?
Of course not. It is just like maintaining a good relationship in your family. Everything is simple - you need to respect and complement, and still be fair in relation to the partner. Bruno and I complement each other's vision, it helps. At first we tried to combine responsibilities: I stuck my nose into the design, he tried to lead. At a certain moment, it became clear to both of us that it would be better for us to “dwell” each on our territory. Then there will be more benefits for the whole company.
Which of you two is a more strict manager?
We have different styles. He prefers to be creative and leaves the rest of the worries about the company to me. In some ways I am tougher in matters of creativity - it is sometimes uncompromising. We rarely argue, more often try to listen and hear each other. We share opinions, give some advice. That's all.
