French armed forces operative wearing a specially designed Bell & Ross timepiece

 It was only a matter of time that the special operations division of the French armed forces the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group, frequently abbreviated GIGN  or Groupe d’Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale would approach Bell & Ross to design a unique time instrument for the men and women of GIGN to assist them in their fight against organized crime and terrorism.

The specialized timepiece created for GIGN was made to exemplify their values of cohesion and professionalism.  Bell & Ross designed the device with their usual blend of as simplicity and reliability but also used the piece to tribute the men and women of GIGN who sacrifice their lives to protect their country from terrorism and organized crime.

The watch bears the GIGN insignia and exhibits a matte black dial, anti-glare sapphire crystal, and photoluminescent hands. The case of the watch is silver and the strap comes in either black rubber or a black canvas strap- both which are sturdy yet comfortable.  Easy to read in either day or night, it is 42mm in diameter which is considered to be an ideal size that allows the time instrument to be practical yet inconspicuous. It also has an impressive 40 hour reserve as well as water resistance up to 100 meters.

The Bell & Ross watch made for the French Armed Forces GIGN

Facing danger at any moment of the day, the operatives in GIGN require a time instrument that is accurate, reliable, and can withstand exposure to a variety of extreme situations. Bell & Ross have an impressive record of creating timepieces for individuals in demanding occupations and has now truly made their mark in history and the fight against terrorism with their unique GIGN timepiece.