The Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT Sled Driver honours a legendary pilot
Fergus Nash- The Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT Sled Driver pays tribute to the legendary life of Brian Shul.
- The dial features an SR-71 Blackbird, which Shul flew towards the end of his career.
- Three colour options across two case sizes offer versatile options.
There are all kinds of watches that have stories, whether it’s a famous piece like the Moonwatch or just a treasured family heirloom. But sometimes a watch can pay tribute to genuine heroism and that’s exactly what this watch does. The new Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT Sled Driver is an exclusive limited edition that honours the achievements of Brian Shul as he turns 75. The watch is a fitting match too, as both parties share a notable knack for resilience.
Brian Shul was serving as an American Foreign Air Advisor in the Vietnam War, when his plane was shot down in 1973. He couldn’t eject from the flailing aircraft, and crashed in the middle of the jungle. After surviving the impact and being engulfed in flames, he managed to crawl to safety as hallucinations set in. His rescue degenerated into a shootout, but he was treated and evacuated in a helicopter. When Shul reached the hospital in Okinawa, it was believed he would succumb to his burns, but somehow he survived. Two months later, he was flown to Texas and underwent a year of surgeries, totalling 15 major operations and months of physical therapy. Just two days after being released from hospital, Brian Shul was back in the pilot seat of an Air Force fighter jet. He enjoyed a long and fruitful career with the United States Air Force, rounding it out by flying the world’s fastest manned jet — the SR-71 Blackbird.
As a symbol of Shul’s incredible comeback and ability to stay physically fit, the SR-71 Blackbird is featured on the Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT Sled Driver’s dial, along with Brian Shul’s signature. Sled Driver is the name of one of his books, detailing his own personal experience of flying the SR-71 in a way that could bring readers a fraction of that thrill. Of course, the watch remains incredibly legible with all this added detail, and the tritium gas tubes which glow 24/7 are even lined up with the Blackbird’s jet engines neatly. Between the watch hands, fourth GMT hand, and the 24-hour bi-colour bezel, three time zones are available for viewing at any given moment.
There are three colour options for the Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT Sled Driver. The blue and black version uses the 42mm case size with Ball’s unique crown protection system. The other versions are fitted with green and black or red and blue bezel inserts, with each of these are available in either 42mm or 40mm sizes, as well as your choice of rubber strap or H-link steel bracelets.
The Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT Sled Driver pricing and availability:
The Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT Sled Driver is available now for pre-order, with delivery expected between September and October 2023. The blue and black version is limited to 1990 pieces while the green and black or red and blue colours are limited to 199 pieces. Price: US$3,349 (rubber strap) / US$3,599 (steel bracelet)
| Brand | Ball |
| Model | Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT Sled Driver |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm x 13.85mm x 54mm / 40mm x 14.5mm x 51mm |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Black |
| Lug Width | 21mm (42mm) / 20mm (40mm) |
| Strap | Steel bracelet or rubber strap |
| Movement | Ball RR1201-C |
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Availability | Limited to 199 pieces in each colour, now available for pre-order. |
| Price | US$3,349 (rubber strap) / US$3,599 (steel bracelet) |