Laughing Skull reference BR01-SKULL-SK-ST, a micro-blasted steel, hand-wound wristwatch, Circa 2021

Bell & Ross is integrating automatons in the BR 01 Laughing Skull watch collection. These autonomous mechanisms, which feature an animated display, appeared in Europe in the 14th century at the same time as mechanical clocks. They often take the form of a Jaquemart, an animated mechanized figure of a person, fitted to a church clock tower to strike the hours on a bell. The original Laughing Skull concept is therefore a kind of direct descendant of these elegant animation systems.

This BR 01 LAUGHING SKULL is a limited edition of 500 pieces. The skull’s mandible is animated during winding to then perform a characteristic "laughing" movement. BR-CAL.206 is a caliber entirely produced by the manufacturer that is also skull-shaped, so that the mechanism fits the case perfectly. In the extension of the four bones, the four bridges secure the main plate to the case and come together to form a single assembly floating in the center of the watch.

This watch is made from micro-blasted steel. The 46mm case is decorated with a “Clous de Paris” finish. The skeleton work gives the impression that the skull is floating weightless in the center of the case. Appliqué metal skull dial. Metal skeleton Super-LumiNova-filled hour and minute hands. Balance at 12 o'clock. Circa 2021 with original box and paper.