Ball Watch Company have announced their latest model from the Trainmaster collection. This piece is a Limited Edition celebration of the 250th anniversary of Captain James Cook’s first voyage. Aboard the now famous HMS Endeavour, Cook set off on this adventure back in 1768. The Trainmaster Endeavour Chronometer is limited to only 250 pieces, and has been fully inspired by Captain Cook’s original Marine Chronometer.
Available on a stainless steel bracelet (NM3288D-S2CJ-WH) or a black leather strap (NM3288D-LL2CJ-WH) the Trainmaster Endeavour is a COSC certified chronometer. Featuring Ball’s automatic RR1101-C caliber movement, this watch is accurate, and reliable, ensuring that you will always stay on course. Inside the dial sits 14 micro gas tubes at the hour markers, and hands, which enables an improved readability in low light conditions. The 40mm stainless steel case not only holds the anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass, but it also houses some of Ball’s most advanced technology too. This makes the watch shock resistant to 5,000Gs, anti-magnetic to 4,800A/m, and water resistant to 50m/160ft.
The Story of Captain James Cook
The Trainmaster Endeavour Chronometer has been inspired by the voyage that brought Europeans to the Pacific Islands. An ambitious James Cook captained the Vessel as he aimed to go as far as it was possible for man to go!
Cook was born in Yorkshire in 1728, and was the son of a farmhand migrant from Scotland. Growing up near Whitby, James began an apprenticeship in the town known for it’s significant shipping and shipbuilding industry. James learnt his trade under the tutelage of Captain John Walker, and learnt a range of skills, including management, mathematics, pilotage, navigation, purchase of supplies and provisions, and how to keep mercantile accounts.
Cook followed this, by continuing his employment with Mr. Walker and his family, living with them for many years. He then left his occupation, and used his qualifications to join the navy, and take part in the Seven Years’ War against France in 1755. After this, he was then sent to North America with the Navy, where he would help map the St. Lawrence River, which brought General James Wolfe to lead Britain towards victory.
The Endeavour
A few years later, in 1768, he was then appointed Captain of the Endeavour, which has become one of the most famous ships in history. The purpose of his voyage aboard the Endeavour was to observe the transit of Venus, from Tahiti. By observing the planet from different locations around the world it was hoped that we’d be able to calculate the distance to the sun much more accurately.
Throughout the voyage, Cook who had proved himself to have good skills in cartography and mathematics. And so he was also instructed to search for lands in the hypothetical “Southern Continent”, the Terra Australis Incognita. There were only theories and hypothesis about the existence of this continent, but the Royal Society was keen to see the Union Jack flying high on the land, before any other European flag! Captain Cook was not so convinced about the existence of this continent. However, he was able to reach New Zealand in 1769, and was able to charter the lands in roughly 6 months with almost no mistake.
The following spring, Captain Cook and his crew continued along the Australian coastline, landing in Botany Bay, which is a little further south to what we know as Sydney today. The land was claimed as Britain’s and was first named New South Wales. unfortunately, the Endeavour actually hit the Great barrier Reed in June, and was forced to dock for repairs. The ship spent so long on land that the town was even named Cooktown! Once the Endeavour was back seaworthy again, Cook and his crew sailed back to England again. After a further three years at sea, the ship returned home on the 13th July 1771.
The BALL Trainmaster Endeavour Chronometer
Now, celebrating the 250th anniversary of this historic expediction, BALL Watch Company have revealed the Trainmaster Endeavour Chronometer. A chronometer is a piece of technology that would have been used by Cook on this expedition. This 3 hand timepiece with a date display has been inspired by Cook’s “Harrison Chronometer Nr. 4”, the timekeeper that he had by his side through every expedition to determine his position.
To make this model even more special, BALL have included James Cook’s signature on the dial, with their own logo above. This has been done using the same sleek blue that is used on the hands, and the thing RR at the tip of the second hand. This gives the piece elegance, and luxury, with this blue standing out perfectly over the white dial, and black markers. This is a very classy dial, and features both Roman Numerals, and Arabic number for it’s markers, which shows off it’s vintage heritage.
As we mentioned at the start, this Trainmaster features 14 self-powered H3 micro gas tubes. These tubes offer extreme readability and trusted reliability in all light conditions. This light is released when the H3 molecules hit the internal coloured surface of the tubes. Being a COSC certified chronometer, this timepiece has undergone rigorous testing to ensure it’s guaranteed precision, and accuracy.
This is the perfect example of the quality and dedication that BALL Watch Company posses. BALL continue their journey to assert their role in the exploration of modern time and the evolution of watchmaking. An exciting time to be a fan of BALL watches, with new and unique models being released, which we will sure to report on, on the blog! So keep an eye out for all the latest news!
