I’ve said it before, and I’ll undoubtedly say it again – I just plain like tritium tubes on a watch. It’s undoubtedly a deeply set memory of the rolling light show that was the dashboard in my dad’s car in the mid-80s. And now, with the multitude of colors, it’s just plain fun. If you want yours a bit more space-age, how about the Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT II Meteorite?
Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT II Meteorite: what it is
As you can see by the photos above (and the tech specs below), the Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT II Meteorite is a GMT-equipped watch. Which makes sense, since this particular model is intended to honor a decorated military pilot. What makes this release stand out from other GMTs in their lineup is the inclusion of a slice of meteorite for the dial. If you’ve not seen this material on a watch before, it is definitely a unique look.
Honoring Major Brian Shul
This new release is done in honor of Major Brian Shul, who passed away in 2023. Who is he? One of small group of SR-71 pilots. Here’s what the brand says:
While flying secret ops toward the end of the Vietnam War, Shul was shot down near the Cambodian border. Surviving the initial impact of crash landing in the jungle, he was trapped inside a fiery cockpit. Severely burned, he managed to free himself and crawl from the flaming wreckage.
A Special Operations Pararescue team extracted the downed pilot by helicopter from hostile territory and evacuated him to a military hospital where he was not expected to survive his burns.
One year and 15 surgeries later, Shul astonished the military world by overcoming his traumatic injuries and passing every flight physical demanded of him in order to fly again. After flying fighter jets for 10 years, he applied to pilot the SR-71 Blackbird. With a titanium pin in his finger and nerves of steel, he became part of an elite group of pilots skilled enough to fly the famed spy plane. Brian Shul is proof that with the right attitude, all things are possible.
Wrapping things up
The Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT II Meteorite is available in two sizes – 40mm and 42mm. Seems a bit odd to us to have sizing quite that close together, but however – we like the flexibility in choice for various wrists. The watch is currently up for pre-order, with either size requiring $4,499 to be handed over; delivery is anticipated for December 2024 or January 2025. Check it all out over at ballwatch.ch
Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT II Meteorite Tech Specs
- Model Number: DG2018C-S20C-MSL (Ø 42mm) | DG2118C-S20C-MSL (Ø 40mm)
- Limited Edition: 1,000 pieces
- Movement:
- Automatic caliber BALL RR1201-C
- Chronometer certified COSC
- Functions
- 44 micro gas tubes on hour, minute, second, second time zone hands, dial and bezel for night reading capability
- Luminous three time zone indication
- Shock resistant to 7,500Gs
- Anti-magnetic to 4,800A/m
- Water resistant to 100m/330ft
- Hours, minutes, sweep seconds and date
- Case
- Stainless steel
- Ø 42mm, height 13.85mm or Ø 40mm, height 14.5mm
- Bidirectional rotating curved sapphire bezel with micro gas tubes for night reading capability
- Dome-shaped anti-reflective sapphire crystal
- Patented crown protection system
- Band: Tapered stainless steel bracelet with patented folding buckle & extension system
- Dial: Meteorite
