Retro style meets modern technology in the new BALL Engineer Master II Waco Glider watch collection, a series of limited edition timepieces designed in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. The design, which is available in three dial colourways, takes its name from the humble military gliders that were considered instrumental in winning the war and mirrors the same vintage aesthetics that were likely on the wrists of pilots flying them at the time.
Although not the most well-known military aircraft, the Waco CG-4 glider became indispensable to the U.S Army during World War II providing a stealthy means of transport for carrying troops and heavy equipment to the front line. The glider was also favourable over parachuting since it allowed soldiers to arrive closer to a concentrated target rather than spread over the countryside and could also be used to carry up to 13 troops at once, all of their gear, light artillery or even a jeep. The aircrafts were also a practical answer to the material scarcity during wartime, being only built from inexpensive materials like wood and propelled not by engines but towed on a 350ft nylon rope. It was exactly this practicality and inexpensiveness that placed the Waco CG-4 glider into the history books and the BALL Engineer Master II Waco Glider Limited Edition watch collection reminds us exactly of their feat.
Vintage- inspired in their design, the BALL Engineer Master II Waco Glider Limited Edition watches have an imposing presence on the wrist thanks to the brushed 46mm stainless steel case and oversized onion crown, a feature typical of wartime pilots watches for their ease of gripping. A smooth fixed polished bezel sits centre stage and makes way for slim, tapering lugs that allow a comfortable dark brown calfskin leather strap it secure it to the wrist. Beside the crown, on the right hand side of the case, a small button opens up a unique hinged case back which offers a view of the manual winding movement beneath the sapphire window. The case back can also be engraved with a personalised message, a special addition that not only allows you to mark an occasion in your own life but one that commemorates the watches worn by pilots during the war who had engraved case backs to remember their loved ones at home.
To protect the manual-winding movement housed inside, the case backs of the BALL Engineer Master II Waco Glider Limited Editions are equipped with a special anti-magnetic shield that delivers a remarkable protection to 1,000 Gauss (80,000 A/m). The shield, which has been carefully constructed from mu-metal, an alloy comprised of nickel, iron, copper and molybdenum, attracts and deviates static and low-frequency field lines for optimal accuracy of the movement within. The BALL RR2101 calibre is sadly not COSC-certified like many other BALL movements, however it still impresses with a healthy power reserve of 46 hours, a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour and 17 jewels.
The BALL Engineer Master II Waco Glider Limited Edition watch is available in a choice of three dial colourways: black, blue or green matte finishing. Each variant is adorned with unmissable, oversized Arabic numerals and indexes fashioned from the brand’s legendary micro gas tubes. 26 micro gas tubes in total decorate the dial at the hour and minute hands and box indexes. These astounding tritium gas tubes do not require any recharge from the sun or any external light source and do not drain any of the power reserve. The markers are also 100 times brighter than other luminous paints commonly used in the luxury watch industry and guarantee superior brightness that lasts up to 25 years. The dial of each BALL Engineer Master II Waco Glider watch is also framed by a small seconds sub dial at 9 o’clock and a special Glider Pilot ring insignia at 6 o’clock. The emblem not only underscores the inspiration behind this series, but more importantly, it is a sharp reminder of the bravery and perseverance of the troops that flew the aircraft.
Expected to be released somewhere between June and July of this year, all pre-orders of the BALL Engineer Master II Waco Glider will receive a free green NATO strap. There will only be 1,943 pieces being released in total, a number chosen to commemorate the year Waco CG-4 gliders went into active duty, and so we don’t expect these BALL Watch Company releases to be around for long. Pre-order your BALL Engineer Master II Waco Glider Limited Edition watch today here or get in touch with the Jura Watches team on 01335 453453 or at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
Specifications: BALL Engineer Master II Waco Glider Limited Edition Watches (NM2138D-L-BK, NM2138D-L-BE, NM2138D-L-GR)
- Case Size: 46mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Push in
- Case Back: Hinged with sapphire window
- Water Resistance: 50 metres
- Weight: Approx 120g
- Movement: Manual winding BALL RR2102 calibre
- COSC: No
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds
- Power Reserve: 46 hours
- Jewels: 17
- Frequency: 18,000vph
- Dial: Black, blue or green with 26 micro gas tubes
- Strap: Brown calfskin leather (+ additional green NATO if pre-ordered)
- Buckle: Stainless steel pin
- RRP: £1,940
- Limited Edition: 1,943 pieces
- Release Date: June/July 2021
