Competing in the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) this year is the Defender Rally, with Bell & Ross as the Official Timing Partner.
On the occasion of W2RC 2026, the first round of the championship started on Jan 3 with the Dakar Rally in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, and Bell & Ross supported the team as its official timekeeper.
Renowned for its watches designed for extreme conditions, Bell & Ross finds in the world of rally-raid a natural field of expression.
The championship represents the ultimate testing ground for precision, robustness and legibility – the three pillars of the brand.
The partnership with Defender Rally reflects a commitment to supporting teams that push both mechanical and human limits.
Drivers competing in the Defender D7X-R will be able to rely on Bell & Ross watchmaking expertise to take on the most demanding stages of the Saudi desert.
“The W2RC is a symbol of boldness, exploration and pushing beyond one’s limits – values that lie at the very heart of Bell & Ross’ DNA.
“The BR-X3 Black Titanium, with its iconic ‘circle within a square’ design, perfectly embodies this philosophy: precision, legibility and robustness in the most extreme conditions.
“We are proud to partner with Defender Rally, a team that shares our passion for adventure and our commitment to performance, and to see our watches accompany the drivers throughout this iconic race,” says Bell & Ross co-founder and CEO Carlos Rosillo.
As part of this partnership, Bell & Ross equips the Defender Rally team with the BR-X3 Black Titanium – the ultimate embodiment of watchmaking excellence and precision engineering.
Born of Bell & Ross’ technical expertise, the BR-X3 Black Titanium represents the perfect fusion of innovation, robustness and precision.
With its creative construction and in-house movement guaranteed for five years, the BR-X3 is an evolution of the BR-03.
Drawing on aeronautical inspiration, it speaks to lovers of technical watches who favour a strong, assertive design.
A symbol of performance and modernity, the X calls to mind special aerospace projects.
In line with this concept, the BR-X3 embodies the very height of sophistication in the professional range.
Its grade 2 titanium construction, COSC-certified manufacture movement and optimal legibility make it an instrument perfectly suited to the challenges, where every second counts and conditions push both human and machine to their limits.
Ultra-lightweight and resistant, the BR-X3 Titanium boasts a multi-layer titanium case with a sandwich-type design combining technicality and comfort.
With its 41mm case housing an automatic movement developed in-house − the BR-CAL.323 − it offers a 70-hour power reserve.
The dial is characterised by an X-shaped design, with matt grey decoration surrounding the date at 3 o’clock and power reserve at 9 o’clock.
The metallic indexes, incorporated into the 60-minute graduated flange, and the photoluminescent hands ensure clear reading both night and day.
The partnership between Bell & Ross and Defender Rally is not based solely on precision and performance, but on a shared aesthetic and functional affinity.
Bell & Ross’ professional line, with its round dial framed by a square case, sharp and angular lines and resolutely instrumental appearance, shares a clear visual language with the Defender D7X-R: robustness, purity of form and maximum functionality.
“The functional design of our iconic square watch naturally echoes that of Defender D7X-R.
“Both express a bold, uncompromising character defined by strong lines and purposeful forms,” says Bell & Ross co-founder and creative director Bruno Belamich.
These professional watches have become true onboard instruments for adventure, mirroring the vehicle they accompany.
The collaboration continues Bell & Ross’ long-standing expertise in high-performance environments, following its acclaimed commitments in aviation, diving and motorsport.
