Cedric Bellon CB01 Owner Review : Solar, positive and convicing

A year after acquiring it, I've finally decided to present this Cédric Bellon, which has become a regular on my wrist. 39mm in diameter (40mm at the bezel), 47mm lug to lug, and 12.2mm thick—dimensions perfectly in tune with current trends for this Skindiver-style watch, a style that was missing from my collection. Made entirely of recycled grade 5 titanium, which retains its matte finish, the silky-smooth case boasts a rather dark hue that beautifully complements the dial. I can't decide if the highlight is the vertically brushed finish that creates a constant interplay of light, with the orange shifting from yellow to black, or the small seconds subdial, with its circular brushing and recessed position at 12 o'clock, inherent to the Dubois-Despraz movement, sourced from unused stock and chosen to power this beauty. It features a bidirectional rotating bezel, allowing for the display of a second time zone, secured by an ingenious bezel-locking system on the crown. Originally fitted with a gray suede strap, I opted to "alter" it by replacing it with a more suitable and less fragile orange Tropic strap. I say "alter" it because, despite the presentation, which could have justified my purchase in itself, it was meeting the designer that ultimately convinced me. Cédric, a designer for several brands in the industry, is an engaging, approachable, and dedicated man; the more accurate term would be "passionate," but I avoid it as it's often misunderstood. He has a guiding principle that goes beyond simply wanting to make watches with a low environmental impact. He understands that watchmaking is evolving and that Swiss-made watches, to justify their premium status, must also reinvent themselves. For him, this means integrating "sustainable" into the label. Whether you agree with it or not, the man is positive, and his message is far removed from green-bashing or punitive environmentalism. Consequently, this change of strap seems to contradict the ambition of the watch, produced in Ticino by Watch Angels, a kind of watchmaking startup incubator, using components produced, recovered, and/or recycled within an 80 km radius. Only the glass and gaskets come from further afield, from France and Spain, I believe. This watch is different in its ambition, its presentation, and its execution. It's very comfortable, reliable, a conversation starter, and its dial is a constantly evolving stage. What more can I say to convince you? Perhaps simply that, despite the brand's very small production volumes (25 pieces for mine), this is already the 5th one featured on the platform. There's no mystery there.