Ball Watch Company will debut the new Engineer Master II Snoopy Flying Ace timepiece in August.
La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland—Ball Watch Company is partnering with American animation icon Snoopy.
The beloved beagle has had a few alter egos since his 1950 debut, like Joe Cool, but his Flying Ace character may be the most notable.
In his daydreams, Snoopy goes on a thrilling adventure as a World War I Flying Ace, soaring through the skies to take on his archnemesis, the Red Baron.
In its first collaboration with the Peanuts, the Swiss watchmaker is honoring Snoopy’s alter ego with the Engineer Master II Snoopy Flying Ace timepiece.
“Its thrilling precision, unshakeable durability, and unrivalled brightness join forces with the Peanuts gang—reminding us that sometimes a little imagination is all you need to take flight,” said the company.
At the 9 o’clock sub-dial, Snoopy sits atop his doghouse, which he has turned into a Sopwith Camel biplane (via his imagination, of course). He’s in his pilot outfit, including an aviator helmet and goggles, with his scarf waving in this wind.
His best friend Woodstock sits at the tip of the seconds hand.
The new Snoopy-inspired timepiece glows in the dark.
A little darkness won’t thwart the heroic pup because the watch is outfitted with 14 micro gas tubes, a technology that automatically glows in all dark conditions with no charging required.
Baton-shaped gas tubes slightly extend above the dial at each hour marker while thinner tubes mark the hour and minute hands.
The manual-winding Ball RR2102 movement powers the hour, minutes, and seconds hands.
It was chosen as a nod to the movements used in classic aviation watches worn by World War I pilots, said the company.
The onion crown is design-forward with a curved contour and fluted ridges.
“When using the easy-to-grip onion crown to wind the movement, you will feel the tension as the mainspring tightens. Smooth and deliberate, every turn of the crown transforms an ordinary task into a charming ritual,” said Ball.
The caseback showcases a silkscreen-printed image of Snoopy in his Flying Ace outfit.
The limited-edition watch comes in special packaging to mark the collaboration.
The 46mm stainless steel case commands attention while remaining effortlessly charming, said Ball, just like Snoopy.
It is paired with a retro-themed, riveted calf leather strap.
Its transparent sapphire crystal caseback shows the manual caliber and features a silkscreen-printed image of Snoopy in his Flying Ace outfit.
Snoopy made his first appearance in the Peanuts comic strip on October 4, 1950, and so the series is limited to 410 pieces.
The watch will debut in August, retailing for $2,999.
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It was Snoopy’s fearlessness and call to adventure that inspired the partnership, said Ball.
Now based in Switzerland, Ball Watch, was founded in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1891 following the Great Kipton Train Wreck about 40 miles west of the city. The disaster was caused by a watch that was four minutes off, as per its website.
Jeweler Webb C. Ball was appointed chief time inspector for Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway and created a new timekeeping system aided by Ball watches.
The Webb C. Ball Watch Company was formed in 1894 to distribute railroad watches.
“Ball Watch Company, born from the challenges of America’s expanding railroads, shares this same underdog spirit [as Snoopy], daring to innovate and redefine precision timekeeping against all odds,” said the company.
