Bell & Ross becomes the official timing partner of the Defender Rally, competing in the Dakar 2026, the world’s toughest race, and launches a brand new black titanium watch, worn by each Defender driver.

The signature round withing a square case of the Bell & Ross BR X3 Black Titanium

Bell & Ross is the Official Timing Partner of the Land Rover Defender Rally, which will compete in the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). On the occasion of the Dakar 2026, the toughest race in the world, the first round of the championship begins on January 3rd, and Bell & Ross is supporting the team as its official timekeeper.

Shared values: precision, endurance, performance

Renowned for its watches designed for extreme conditions, for Bell & Ross, the Dakar Rally 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 Dakar D7X-R will rely on Bell & Ross watchmaking expertise to take on the most demanding stages of the Saudi desert. “The Dakar Rally 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 Carlos Rosillo, Co-founder and CEO of Bell & Ross.

The case back of the Bell & Ross BR X3 Black Titanium

A meeting of design, performance, and adventure

As part of this partnership, the Franco-Swiss watchmaker Bell & Ross will equip each driver in the Defender Rally team with the BR-X3 Black Titanium. Each BR-X3 Black Titanium fuses innovation, robustness and precision. Its grade 2 titanium construction, case-certified manufacture movement and optimal legibility make it an instrument perfectly suited to the challenges of the Dakar Rally, where every second counts and conditions push both human and machine to their limits.

Bell & Ross' professional line, with its signature round dial framed by a square case, sharp and angular lines, and resolutely instrumental appearance, shares a clear visual language with the Defender Dakar D7X-R: robustness, purity of form and maximum functionality.

"The functional design of our iconic square watch naturally echoes that of Defender Dakar D7X-R. Both express a bold, uncompromising character defined by strong lines and purposeful forms," says Bruno Belamich, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Bell & Ross. “Our professional watches thus become true onboard instruments for adventure, mirroring the vehicle they accompany. This collaboration continues Bell & Ross' long-standing expertise in high-performance environments, following its acclaimed commitments in aviation, diving and motorsport.”

Here's to victory all around for the intrepid drivers.