Roadmaster Worldtime Black - Ltd Ed 1000pcs Ref. DG3032A-S-BKBK

In 1891, about 40 miles west of Cleveland, a fast mail train collided with a passenger train. This accident later became known as the Great Kipton Train Wreck. The cause of the accident? The passenger train’s conductor’s watch had stopped functioning for a mere 4 minutes before restarting.

After that collision, renowned jeweller Webb C. Ball was appointed Chief Time Inspector to investigate the accident’s timekeeping issues. Ball then formulated a new timekeeping system for the railroad industry, revolutionising timekeeping (in the industry) and thus making train travel significantly safer for both passengers and employees. The watches that employees used were certified and issued by Ball, which led to the birth of the legendary company known today as Ball Watch Co.

Ball Roadmaster Worldtime Black - Ltd Ed 1000pcs Ref. DG3032A-S-BKBK

Ball watches are renowned for their precision, robustness, and durability. This new Roadmaster Worldtime Black continues to uphold Ball’s official railroad standards. The Roadmaster Worldtime is a specific model within the Ball Watch Roadmaster collection. It features a world time function, which allows the wearer to easily track time in multiple time zones around the globe. This feature is particularly useful for frequent travellers or individuals who frequently communicate with people in different parts of the world.

With a wearable 42mm diameter, the watch has a thickness of 14.5mm and a lug-to-lug of only 48.5mm. This set of dimensions helps ensure the timepiece will sit nicely on the wrist and is suitable for almost all wrist sizes. While it might seem like the watch is a tad thick, a 14.5mm thickness on a 42m watch will not look out of place and its case design helped to look balanced on the wrist. The watch is made of 316L stainless steel 5, adding to its wearability due to the reliable nature of the material. The oblong case is finished mostly with satin-brushed, only to be contrasted with mirror-finished bevellings, adding a utilitarian effect to the watch.

Automatic caliber BALL RR1501

The deep black dial has several features going on. First off,  there are applied hour markers with sword-style hands, paired altogether with a total 15 micro gas tubes for night time readability. A day/date complication is at 3 and 6, providing a helpful complication if this were to be a daily piece. By using innovative Swiss laser technology, the gas tubes are up to a hundred times brighter than your typical luminescent paint used in the watch industry. The gas tubes have a lifespan of over 25 years and also do not require an external energy source to function.

As a Worldtime timepiece, the watch also features a black steel bezel that allows the wearer to track a diving period, in tandem with both a world time display on the rehaut and a rotatable inner 24-hour GMT ring. The unique feature of the Ball Roadmaster lies in the ways to track different time-zones and a proper dive time on the go.

World time indication

Unlike your typical GMT watches where the hand is adjusted by turning the outer bezel, Ball has designed a quick set mechanism also with it that allows the owner to adjust the 24 hour ring in accordance to the Worldtime rehaut. This quick set mechanism is easy to get used to, as it is straightforward and efficient, especially when travelling. Protecting the dial is a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating that helps to enhance dial legibility even in harsh lighting.

Of course, being a Ball watch, this watch is shock-resistant up to an insane anti-magnetism to 4,800 A/m. The screw-down crown, and caseback also give the timepiece 300m of water resistance, making it truly capable of handling whatever you throw at it.

The Ball Worldtime is powered by the Ball RR1501 automatic movement, which is based on an ETA 2836-2 adjusted through its screw down crown. Ball puts an emphasis on accuracy under adverse conditions. As they are made to be tough withstanding.

15 micro gas tubes on hour, minute, second hands and dial for night reading capability

Ball pairs the Roadmaster Worldtime on a 20mm stainless steel bracelet. The satin-brushed areas on the bracelet are satined finished, while the center links that feature polished bevel edges. The bracelet feels sturdy and well-built, which allows the user to wear the watch on the wrist for a long time without feeling the need to take it off due to any discomfort. 


All in all, this latest addition to the Roadmaster Worldtime is a welcomed one that brings a fresh new design that we think will prove to be highly popular among collectors and the average watch-wearer alike. As a limited edition timepiece of just 1,000 pieces worldwide, this Ball timepiece is one that you do not want to miss. Blink, and it could already be gone.