The year was 1992, and one of the coolest things to own as a kid up until the noughties were a pair of light-up trainers. Remember those, where colorful flashing LED lights would twirl around each shoe with every step?

I know this because being as old as a brand like Bell & Ross, I remember when youthful style was all about being larger-than-life — and that included multicolored light-traversing footprints, along with your full ensemble of a rhinestone-studded T-shirt and acid-wash denim jeans.

So when Bell & Ross’ latest BR-X5 puts on a glow-in-the-dark neon green catsuit, I thought, are we back to the time when those were cool again?

The Lum collection

Since the first of the LUM series in 2017 in the BR 03-92 HOROLUM, the collection has been all about superior visibility, blending aeronautical aesthetics with luminescent technology for enhanced readability, day and night.

Bell & Ross has gone full-lume before, with the BR V2-94 FULL LUM (yeah, it’s in the name) from 2021, as well as the BR V2-92 FULL LUM that was released a year later, featuring the ultra-luminescent dial in a 3-hand version.

So just when you think they couldn’t light up any more than that, the new X5’s 41mm case glows spectacularly in the dark, thanks to LM3D, a composite material exclusive to Bell & Ross. The case structure is assembled in layers, where the main titanium body is sandwiched between two LM3D shields.

LM3D is a photoluminescent composite featuring quartz fibers that emit a vivid green glow, herein enveloping the entire case, including the hours, minutes, seconds, date, and power reserve.

And when it’s not in the dark, the watch takes on a mint green colorway, which softens the X5’s boxy look.

The watch, limited to 500 pieces, is powered by the Kenissi-designed BR-CAL.323 caliber with a power reserve of approximately 70 hours.

Tech Specs: Bell & Ross BR-X5 Green Lum

Movement: Automatic-winding BR-CAL.323 caliber; 70-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours and minutes; Central seconds
Case: 41mm; Grade 2 micro-blasted titanium with DLC finish; upper and lower inserts in green luminescent fiberglass composite and bezel insert in luminescent composite; water-resistant to 100m
Dial: Matt black; skeletonised Super-LumiNova®-covered hour and minute hands
Strap: Black openworked rubber with steel DLC folding buckle
Price: SGD 19,100
Availability: Limited to 500 pieces