BALL Watch Trainmaster Standard Time
To mark the 130th anniversary of the adoption of standard time in the United States, BALL Watch Company unveils a new classic, timeless model: the Trainmaster Standard Time.
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 onward, U.S. railroad companies put in place a new system to divide the nation into four time zones. 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, Webster Clay Ball, was the first jeweler 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”. In 1891, Webster Clay Ball was appointed as Chief Time Inspector by the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway Co.
The unreliability of the watches used on the railroad networks made traveling by train a perilous business, and the introduction of a system of controls and inspections had become an urgent priority.
Webb C. Ball laid down standards of quality, accuracy and design for all the watches used by the railroad. To ensure the greatest possible accuracy of each employee’s watch, a list of approved timepieces was submitted to the workers and compulsory inspections were made once every two weeks for comparison with standard Washington time.
The Trainmaster Standard Time model is a subtle combination of a vintage style reminiscent of the 19th century railroads and the cutting-edge technology used in contemporary watchmaking.
The case in 18k rose gold and the crocodile leather strap highlight the luxury aspect of this timepiece. Although its case is relatively moderate in size, with its 39.5mm diameter, its understated graphic style and materials as well as the wide opening of the dial make it a timepiece of unrivaled legibility.
To confirm the accuracy of this timepiece, the official status of “Automatic Chronometer” attributed by the COSC (the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute) 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 seconds dial at six o’clock are all features inspired by the brand’s first fob-watch models worn by railroad employees.
As a break with the spell of time, the words “BALL & Co.” have been styled to form the number 7 to make this timepiece truly unique.
In order to ensure perfect time reading even in total darkness, BALL Watch Company’s own revolutionary luminous technology is also found on this model. 14 3H luminous micro gas tubes have been added to the hour and minute hands, and also to the hour-markers on the dial.
These micro-tubes do not require any outside source of light or power and are up to 100 times brighter than the use of conventional luminous paint. The watch’s sapphire crystal case back enables the user to admire the BALL RR1105-C Swiss mechanical movement.
The hour, minute and seconds at 6 o’clock as well as the date functions found on this model make it a truly indispensable classic timepiece.
Technical details
Model: BALL Watch Trainmaster Standard Time, Reference NM3888D-PG-LCJ-WH
Movement
Automatic caliber BALL RR1105-C
Chronometer certified COSC
Functions
14 micro gas tubes on hour and minute hands and dial for night reading capability
Shock resistant to 5,000Gs
Water resistant to 30m/100ft
Hours, minutes, subsidiary seconds and date
Case
18k/750 rose gold
Ø 39.5mm, height 10.5mm
Anti-reflective convex sapphire crystal
Convex sapphire crystal case back
18k/750 rose gold crown
Dial
White enamel dial
Band
Crocodile leather strap with standard buckle
