Crossing the hall of 36 Quai des Orfèvres, a legendary address if ever there was one, is to tread on its emblem reproduced on the ground, with to its right a wall of images summarizing its six decades of intervention, and to its left the words and drawings of thanks from some of those she saved.
Not far from there, in a window, how can you not be moved and remember that evening of November 13, in front of the shield struck with bullet holes which, that day, protected the men of the BRI entering the hell of the Bataclan...
The BRI, three letters for Research and Intervention Brigade Judikael Hirel
The BRI is much more than three letters, for Research and Intervention Brigade, its name since 1967. It is a legend, and an extraordinary brigade.
Because its mission is unique: Carry out proactive investigations up to the
“flag”
, instead of completing files and procedures a posteriori. The Antigang always carries out its missions to their conclusion, and from start to finish.
Tomorrow, it will also be up to him to ensure the smooth running of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, alongside two other elite units, the GIGN and the RAID.
A non-commercial Panerai Luminor BRI, reserved for members of the unit.
Judikael Hirel
It's impossible not to have heard about the Counter-Terrorist Unit recently: an excellent series has just been dedicated to it on Canal +.
Created on the initiative of Commissioner François Le Mouël in 1964, it will celebrate its six decades of existence on September 22, 2024. An occasion marked by a non-commercial watch, created with the operators of the brigade, and which is exclusively reserved for them.
For the occasion, this Panerai Luminor BRI is inspired by the dark tones of the outfits and roundels of these elite men, with its 44 mm case covered with a matte black DLC treatment, associated with an equally matte black dial.
It’s difficult to be more stealthy and more sober… We of course find on this watch water-resistant to 100 meters a discreet BRI engraved between the hand well and six o’clock.
Around the small seconds counter at 9 o'clock, there is also the famous motto of the BIS: PER VERBUM PER GLADIUM,
“By the pen or by the sword”
.
Finally, a discreet
“36”
was inscribed on the crown protector, the symbol of the Florentine house's watches, in reference to the legendary address of 36 Quai des Orfèvres, associated with so many major files in police, judicial, and even literary!
Divisional Commissioner Simon Riondet and Melina Mantion, director of Panerai France.
Judikael Hirel
In addition to the brand and a mention
“1964 – 2024”
, the back made of stainless steel is engraved with the insignia of this elite unit as well as the number of the watch within this series limited to 102 exemplary.
The fruit of two and a half years of work,
“this watch is the end of a story,”
explains Divisional Commissioner Simon Riondet, currently head of the BRI, at the time of handing over this watch to the members of the Brigade.
1964 was a great year: it was the birth of the BRI.
We wanted to mark this year with a special watch.
We therefore turned to the Panerai house, for all the similarities between this beautiful house and the BRI, which protects Paris.
Panerai's hometown, Florence;
is also a city of culture.
We wanted something both elegant and robust, which matches our DNA, with these watches mostly intended for units of excellence.
This project took two and a half years, but it is truly a great adventure.
It's something we're going to keep on our wrist.
September 22 is the brigade's birthday, and I hope we all have the opportunity to wear this simply sublime watch.
»
A non-commercial Panerai Luminor BRI, reserved for members of the unit.
Judikael Hirel