Ball Watch Company Trainmaster Cleveland Express

The Trainmaster Cleveland Express pays tribute to Ball's railroad roots. Webb C. Ball founded the Ball Watch Company in Ohio in 1891, with the aim of bringing precision to railroad chronometers--a key factor in avoiding train collisions. Ball laid out a series of requirements for watches to be worn by railroad employees. Among the stipulations: A plain dial with heavy hands and Arabic numerals that had to be of approved size, meaning large enough to read at a glance.

Ball's Trainmaster Cleveland Express is named after a famous train route from New York to Cleveland during the first half of the 20th century. The rugged watch is built around an automatic Swiss ETA movement, and is water resistant to 50 meters. It keeps the focus on delivering maximum readability thanks to the 41-millimeter case and the bright green glowing gas tubes that mark the hours, minutes, and seconds for night viewing-- a signature for Ball Watch Company.