Watch Paparazzi

Entrepreneur Ralph Lauren spotted wearing Bell & Ross

Ralph Lauren was recently spotted on the wrist wearing a Bell & Ross BR-X1 Chronographe Carbone Forge, a limited edition of 250 pieces that has been fully allocated since its release. For a man whose taste in objects — from automobiles to timepieces — is as curated as his runway collections, the choice signals genuine horological intent rather than brand placement.

The Bell & Ross BR-X1 reference BR-X1 CF Chronographe was conceived by brand co-founder and design director Bruno Belamich as a direct translation of fighter-jet cockpit instrumentation into wearable form. The square, 45 mm case is constructed from forged carbon — a composite material created by compressing randomized carbon fiber sheets under heat and pressure, producing the distinctive marbled, non-repeating surface pattern that makes each case visually unique. At its weight class, forged carbon offers exceptional rigidity and shock resistance while keeping the watch notably light on the wrist. The skeletonized dial removes material between the subdials, exposing the movement architecture beneath, while SuperLuminova-coated indices are physically elevated above the dial plane, reinforcing the three-dimensional, instrument-grade aesthetic.

The BR-X1 family launched in 2014 and has since expanded to more than 20 references encompassing chronographs, tourbillons, and complications in a range of materials including titanium, ceramic, and various carbon constructions. Within that lineup, the Carbone Forge Chronographe occupies a significant position: the combination of the forged carbon case, flyback or column-wheel chronograph function, and strict 250-unit production ceiling gave it strong collector credentials at launch. All 250 examples were absorbed by the market immediately, and secondary-market movement has been measured ever since.

Ralph Lauren's relationship with horology is well documented. His private collection includes some of the most significant vintage timepieces and automobiles in private hands, and his Ralph Lauren Purple Label line has long incorporated watch-inspired aesthetic codes. Seeing him on the wrist with a piece as technically specific as the Bell & Ross BR-X1 BR-X1 CF is consistent with a collector who buys for the object, not the logo.

On the grey market, fully sold-out Bell & Ross BR-X1 Carbone Forge examples trade at a premium over original retail, driven by the sealed production run and sustained demand from aviation-aesthetic collectors. The reference remains one of the more conversation-worthy pieces in the BR-X1 catalogue.