Author Archives: Timmy Tan

Ball for BMW TimeTrekker: Blue or Black?

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The Ball for BMW TimeTrekker with a blue dial inside a BMW 5 Series – the 540i M Sport. This model with a blue dial is more distinctive as compared to the one with a black dial. Photo: © TANG Portfolio / TimeWerke. Elfa / Timmy.

Between the blue and the black models, the Ball for BMW TimeTrekker with the blue dial stands out more and is easier to identify.

This is especially so with its red accents: found on the 30, 45 and 60 numerals on the dial, the “200 metres” to indicate its water-resistance and most obviously, the red-tip sweep seconds hand.

On the other hand, the Ball for BMW TimeTrekker with the black dial has a more subdued look. We particularly enjoy the hour index at 12 o’clock because of its very light brown colour which is different from the rest. However, the colour difference is not obvious.

The Ball for BMW TimeTrekker with a black dial. The colour of the micro gas tube at 12 o’clock which also serves an hour index is slightly different as compared to the rest. The reason as to why is apparent in darkness. Photo: © TANG Portfolio / TimeWerke. Elfa / Timmy.

When it turns dark, that is the time when the Ball for BMW TimeTrekker with the black dial shows its true colours. Its hour index at 12 o’clock has a red luminescence while the rest of the micro gas tubes are in blue.

Actually, we were just being a little dramatic here as the same holds true in the dark for the Ball for BMW TimeTrekker with the blue dial.

The BMW branding is subtle and found at the 3 o’clock position, right after the day and date displays.

How the Ball for BMW TimeTrekker with the black dial appears in darkness and under normal lighting conditions. Photo: © Ball Watch

Other subtle hints of the BMW link include the textures on the dial reminding one of the link with BMW and even the crown which is like the control button.

The BMW logo becomes more apparent on the case back, on the sapphire crystal in particular.

The unidirectional rotating bezel is in pure ceramic and in a black chrome finish.

Do note that all Ball for BMW models are equipped with the Amortiser shock absorber system. This means you can actually wear the watch to play golf thanks to the Amortiser.

The Ball for BMW TimeTrekker was designed by Magali Métrailler.

Ball for BMW TimeTrekker
Introduced in 2015
Technical features:
• Calibre Ball RR1102-C automatic movement
• Chronometer-certified
• 14 micro-gas tubes on the hour and minute hands, and dial for enhanced night reading capability
• Patented Amortiser anti-shock system
• Anti-magnetic to 4,800 A/m
• Day and date display
• Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
• Screwed-in crown
• Luminous ceramic unidirectional rotating bezel
• Dial in either black or blue
• 44mm diameter case in stainless steel, 13.45mm thick
• Water-resistant to 200m / 660ft
• Sapphire crystal case back
• Available with either a rubberized leather strap with pin buckle or stainless steel bracelet

Another timewerke.com article that may be of interest:
i. Sports Watch: Ball for BMW TimeTrekker

Understanding and Appreciating the Longines Avigation Watch Type A-7 1935

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Longines Avigation Watch Type A-7 1935 single push-piece chronograph in a 41mm stainless steel case. The dial is angled as it was in the past as this allowed better time-reading legibility for aviators. Photo: © TANG Portfolio / TimeWerke. Elfa / Timmy

During the 1930s, “avigation” watches were better known as the Type A-7 – a classification system for Air Force chronograph wristwatches.

“Avigation” is a term derived from the words “Aviation” and “Navigation” and such watches were used back then by American Air Force navigators for astronomic navigation or “course determination through the stars”.

The Longines Type A-7 US Army Avigation Hack Watch made during that era was known as a “hack watch” because it features a mechanism for synchronising the seconds.

The Longines Type A-7 US Army Avigation Hack Watch is a single-pusher chronograph watch and features what is known as the désaxé or “unbalanced” dial because it is tilted or angled to allow better time-reading legibility for pilots.

What is noteworthy for collectors is that one Longines Type A-7 US Army Avigation Hack Watch went under the hammer for CHF22,500 at an Antiquorum auction held in 2011, more than three times its highest estimated value.

The good news for collectors is that Longines introduced a re-edition of this military watch in 2016 – the Longines Avigation Watch Type A-7 1935.

Like its “ancestor”, the contemporary Longines Avigation Watch Type A-7 1935 features an angled dial, the logic being that it allowed pilots (of the past) “to read the indices without having to release the plane’s control yoke”.

The dial is actually angled at 40 degrees to the right and has 12 honey-coloured Arabic numerals.

Case back of the Longines Avigation Watch Type A-7 1935. It is water-resistant to 30m and is powered by the Calibre L788.2 (ETA A08.L11) automatic movement. Photo: © TANG Portfolio / TimeWerke. Elfa / Timmy

The Calibre L788.2 automatic movement powers the Avigation Watch Type A-7 1935. It is a column wheel chronograph movement with a single-pusher for activating, stopping and resetting the chronograph function. The single-button chronograph pusher is integrated with the crown.

The Calibre L788 column wheel chronograph movement was first launched in 2012. It is based on the first movement used in a wristwatch by Longines in 1913 – the Calibre 13.33Z.

The skeleton hands of the Avigation Watch Type A-7 1935 are pear-shaped and in blued steel.

Thankfully, the good folks at Longines have offered the Avigation Watch Type A-7 1935 in a 41mm diameter case which we feel is more “wrist-friendly” rather than going for a large 50mm diameter case similar to the original from the 1930s.

Another article on the Longines Aviation Watch Type A-7 1935 on timewerke.com that may be of interest is:
i. The Longines Aviation Watch Type A-7 1935 explained