CASE MATERIAL
- Stainless Steel
- Sapphire crystal transparent case back
CROWN
CRYSTAL
- Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
DIAL COLOR
BRACELET
- Crocodile Leather Strap with Standard Buckle
LUG WIDTH
LUG TO LUG
BALL Watch has been the synonym for accuracy since 1891. In celebration of our 130 years anniversary, we are proud to present the Trainmaster Railroad Standard 130 Years – a classic and elegant timepiece inspired by a BALL vintage pocket watch from the early 20th century to represent our rich heritage and watchmaking ethos.
Limited to 999 pieces, the commemorative timepiece features a 40mm case, micro gas tube luminosity and subsidiary seconds design.
As an anniversary piece that celebrates BALL Watch railroad heritage, we drew inspiration from a BALL vintage open face pocket watch that features a Montgomery dial design. The eye-catching outer track with individual minutes numbered from one to sixty in contrasting red and black colors first gained popularity at the turn of the 20th century. This design allows for precise reading of the minute markings and it was the answer to the then raising demand for greater reliability of the railroad timing instruments.
While the bold black numerals on white enamel dial is an unmistakable railroad watch design, the details that go into recreating the vintage look do not stop there. From the small seconds counter on the lower part of the timepiece to the blue Poires Roskopf hands, the similarities between the old and the new are instantly recognizable. In addition, our designers have ingeniously incorporated the trademark “BALL & Co.” to form the numeral seven, a small details to make the Railroad Standard 130 Years extra special.
Even with the convex sapphire glass, the thickness of the case still remains at 12mm. The slim 40mm stainless steel case and tapering lugs fits perfectly on most wrist sizes. The sapphire exhibition case back allows for a glimpse into the intricate workings of the BALL RR1105-C chronometer caliber. Paired with the polished and brushed 5-link stainless steel bracelet, this classic timepiece is a quintessential everyday watch.
Just because the Trainmaster Railroad Standard 130 Years is a model that pays homage to our past does not mean we cannot incorporate modern technology into it. In all dark and low-light environments, the 14 micro gas tubes on the dial and hands shine automatically without any form of charging. The darkness-defying legibility is a vivid reminder of our enduring watchmaking heritage and our commitment to improvement.
There is no secret that the United States’ railroad network has contributed greatly to the rapid development of the then young nation, it is less commonly known that the early railroad system often had danger lurking beneath the surface, mostly caused by the lack of standardized time and accurate timepieces. It all came to a head when a catastrophic clash involving two trains of the Lake Shore Line and Michigan Southern Railway Company happened in Ohio in 1891. Investigations later revealed that the tragedy was triggered by the malfunction of time instruments on one of the trains. This incident prompted the authority to appoint Mr. Webb C. Ball as the Chief Time Inspector, whom then set forth the Official Railroad Standard, a detailed set of rules that regulated the appearance, the accuracy and the testing procedure of all pocket watches that were being used on the railroad.
