Inspired by aeronautical design, swiss mens replica watchmaker Bell & Ross in partnership with Shaw Harley-Davidson, recently unveiled the B-Rocket prototype bike. Bell & Ross mens replica have also created two horological companions for the retro-futuristic bike, matching the machine’s spirit and aesthetics superbly.
“We decided to do another project together, developing a special bike inspired by the Bell & Ross universe,” explains Bruno Bellamich, the designer manager of Bell & Ross. “The name of the bike is the B-Rocket – we wanted to design a bike like a plane. The lines of the bike are inspired by aerodynamics, speed bikes and planes from the ‘60s – it’s a neo retro concept. For planes, the most mythical period is the ‘60s and ‘70s, with all those experimental planes and radical concepts. It’s a timeless instant – you don’t even understand what it is – is it a future concept or a different planet? This era expresses innovation and man’s intelligence.”
An airplane-motorcycle, the B-Rocket is designed to be extremely aerodynamic with lines that encapsulate the essential principles of the vintage fighter jet planes. It is much more than just a motorcycle – it can cut through air with its striking conical jet nose, its cabin, its fin and its propulsion turbines. It is made to epitomise the union between performance and precision. Above all, it is the living proof that represents a replica watchmaking firm that believes in the authenticity of design and functions while constantly aiming to perfect the modernity of the past.
The motorcycle used the Harley-Davidson Softail Blackline FXS as a base, but everything was modified for the B-Rocket – the bike looks like nothing else that has come before it. Streamlined and aerodynamic, the B-Rocket is meant to go fast – using a jet-looking nose cone, a cabin protecting the pilot from the wind blast, the twin turbines and the fin at the back. The 1,584 cm V-Twin engine has a custom exhaust system.
Two new B-Rocket inspired replica watches the BR01 B-Rocket (at 46mm) and the BR03 B-Rocket (42mm) are fabulous addition. The BR01 version is a chronograph with tachymeter scale and three, uniquely designed counters. The BR03 model has a large date window and a power-reserve indicator. The padded leather of the straps is directly inspired by the bike’s cushioning, where the rider lies almost completely prone to pilot the dynamic bike.