Additional Images
Pictured
- CM1052D-L1J-WH
Dial
White or black enamel
Case
Stainless steel case 43mm
Strap/Bracelet
Genuine crocodile leather strap (large rectangular scales, hand-stitched, matt color) with pin buckle or stainless steel bracelet with folding buckle
Trainmaster Cannonball
Webb C. Ball, founder of BALL Watch Company, was appointed as the Chief Inspector for the Lake Shores Lines following the disastrous Kipton train wreck of 1891 to investigate the cause of the tragedy. He accomplished his mission and the rest is history. Among his achievements, he earned international acclaim in setting the criteria of the Official Railroad Standard watch and his system was so successful that to Railroad Brotherhoods and the general public, the ‘Railroad Standard’ stands for the best in quality.
The specifications laid out by Mr. Ball gave antique BALL pocket watches their unique look and in the latest Trainmaster Cannonball we will relive the BALL mien. Every detail is built upon the highest standard for functionality and aesthetic, from the grand 43mm case to the well-proportioned retro-style crown; the bold, classic Arabic numerals on the contrasting white enamel dial to blue spade hands. As a little twist to the timeless design, the numeral ‘7’ is formed by “BALL & Co.”
The sunk subsidiary second sub-dial, placed at the rather unusual 3 o’clock position, is yet another feature that echoes the railroad legacy. Sometimes railroad men would carry watches that featured a hunting case movement in a railroad watch, and the result was a second sub-dial at 3 o’clock instead of the standard 6 o’clock sub-seconds.
Our designers took a bold step to modify the movement from 30 minutes elapsed time to 45 minutes chronograph. Additional jewels were added to ensure the smooth running of this complication through lowering the friction between surfaces, resulting in a complex 49-jewel movement. Compared with a typical movement of minimum 17 jewels, the creation of this special caliber is a labor-intensive process that requires greater skills. The sapphire exhibition case back of the Trainmaster Cannonball gives you a glimpse into this mechanical beauty.
At one time some watchmakers took advantage of the public’s view that a watch’s quality relied on how many jewels it had and loaded watch movements with useless jewels to boost the appearance of quality. Mr. Ball was very much against this unscrupulous use of extra jewels and as a result the use of only working jewels has become part of the BALL Watch Company and the Swiss watch industry ethos. In designing this 49-jewel movement the designers have included 25 jewels in the movement and an impressive 24 in the chronograph mechanism. Every jewel is placed to minimize the effects of two surfaces working together. Placing the jewels in all the positions that could have an effect on the running of the watch helps to create a watch that is accurate and reliable and above all finished to the highest quality without compromising integrity.
Of course, every modern BALL Watch is equipped with BALL micro gas tubes for the astonishing night reading capability, and the Trainmaster Cannonball uses 15 tubes. The inner magnifying glass covers the date window at the 12 o’clock position to make date reading as easy as it should be.
Details
- Automatic BALL Cal. 2050 with 49 jewels
- Hours, minutes, subsidiary seconds, date
- Two-register chronograph – accumulated time measurement up to 45 minutes
- 15 micro gas tubes on hour, minute, second hands and dial for night reading capability
- Exhibition sapphire case back
- Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
- Screwed-in crown
- Water-resistant to 50m
- Shock-resistant – withstands 5,000Gs shock test
Warranty
Unlike E-tailers that only provide in-house warranties, Topper Jewelers is a full service authorized dealer that offers the Ball Manufacturer's Warranty.