BALL Trainmaster Standard Time

To mark the 130th anniversary of adoption standard time in the United States, Ball Watch Company unveils a new classic, timeless model: the Trainmaster Standard Time watch.

A bit of history

Before the adoption of standard time in 1883, time was set depending on the position of the sun. This resulted in every city having its own time zone, making the synchronization of railroad timetables extremely complicated. From 1883 inward, U.S. railroads companies put in place a new system to divide the nation into four timezones. This change led to the disappearance of over 70 official time zones, and has continued as the officially accepted system to the present day.

In 1883, Ball Watch’s founder, Webster Clay Ball, was the first jeweller in Cleveland, Ohio, to use the time signals emitted by the United States Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., bringing accurate time to the residents of the “C-Town”. Since he displayed the first chronometer of the city in his store window, people got into the habit of setting their watches there, giving rise to the expressions “Ball’s Time” and “on the Ball”, used at the period to refer to the absolute correct time all over North Ohio.

Later as Chief Time Inspector at the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway Co., Webb C. Ball laid down standards of quality, accuracy and design for all the watches used by the railroad.

BALL Trainmaster Standard Time

With its retro style, the Trainmaster Standard Time is inspired by the pocket watches of the 19th century, used by the railway employees.

The 18k rose gold case and the leather strap highlight the luxury aspect of this elegant timepiece.

As a confirmation of its accuracy, the official status of “Automatic Chronometer” attributed by the COSC has been delicately inscribed on the watch’s dial.

The form of the Arabic numerals, the enamel-white dial, the characteristic cut of the hands and the subsidiary dials at six o’clock are all features inspired by the brand’s first fob-watch models.

At a first look, you might find the number 7 on the dial a bit odd, but it’s actually an ingenious twist of using the words “BALL & Co.” to form this number.

To ensure perfect readability in total darkness, 14 ³H luminous micro gas tubes have been added to the hour and the minute hands, and also to the hour-markers on the dial. A proprietary technology of Ball Watch Company, these micro-tubes do not require any outside source of light or power and are up to 100 times brighter the the use of conventional luminous paint.

The watch is powered by the BALL RR1105-C Swiss mechanical movement, that can be admired trough the sapphire crystal back.

Current MSRP: $7,699**
Expected to be released in December 2013

Some Technical features

• Diameter of 39.5mm and a height of 10.5mm of 18K rose gold
• Automatic caliber BALL RR1105-C, chronometer certified COSC movement
• 14 tritium micro gas tubes on hour and minute hands and dial for unmatched luminosity.
• White enamel dial with sub-seconds and an exhibition case back.
• Shock resistant to 5,000Gs and water resistant to 30m/100ft.