A-2 Bud Anderson Limited Edition
Description
The A-2 Bud Anderson Limited Edition pays hommage to WW2 "Triple Ace" Bud Anderson. As a US Air Force, he flew his P-51D Mustang "Old Crow" above the skies of Europe hunting enemy bombers & escorting friendly ones. Credited with 16.25 Aerial Victories, Bud is the highest scoring living ace of the USAF currently.
In collaboration with Bud Anderson,, we've developed the A-2 Bud based off the watches he'd used throughout his career. Featuring a degrade black dial, the scheme is paired with patina indexes & hands for an enhanced vintage effect. Super Luminova has been applied to guarantee low-light visibility.
The caseback is probably one of our most complex work yet. On top you'll find a small serialized disc of actual P-51D Mustang metal donated to us. Below, we've engraved Bud's "Old Crow" P-51D. Signed by the man himself, the watch harbors both the legacy of the pilot & plane behind last living "WW2 Triple Ace".
Featuring a flat sapphire crystal & 5 ATM water-resistance, the A-2 Bud is built to carry this legend's story through time.
The A-2 Bud & Diz
Built for Longevity
36 MM SPECS
| Dial |
1950s high-legibility US mil-spec dial Super Luminova Indexes |
|---|---|
| Case Size/ Diameter |
36mm |
| Case Thickness Including Glass |
13.5 mm |
| Case Material |
Surgical Grade Stainless steel |
| Case Finish |
Brushed |
| Case Lug Width |
16mm |
| Strap Width |
16mm |
| Glass |
Flat Sapphire Crystal |
| Water Resistance |
5 ATM |
| Movement |
Automatic Seiko NH35 // Swiss-Made Soprod P024 |
CARE GUIDE
Thanks to our expertise & quality materials your watch will require very little day-to-day care. You can help preserve its lustre by washing the case and bracelet from time to time using soapy water and a soft brush. Before cleaning your watch, always ensure that the winding crown is properly pushed down to guarantee waterproofness.
THE PROJECT
The A-2 design was originally based off the watch that both Bud Anderson and Diz Laird wore in Korea: the A-17 Spec. The A-17 Spec was to be the “evolution” of the original A-11 Spec of WW2 featuring most notably a 24H inner index ring. Specifically, we refined the design hand in hand with Bud Anderson who insisted on removing the inner 24H track - leading to the final dial design of the A-2. For both editions we’ve developed intricate commemorative casebacks hand in hand with both pilots. Most notably, both were meticulous about the P-51 Mustang design (Bud Anderson) or the F4F Wildcat design (Diz Laird) which we’ve engraved to their precise standards.
THE PROJECT
The A-2 design was originally based off the watch that both Bud Anderson and Diz Laird wore in Korea: the A-17 Spec. The A-17 Spec was to be the “evolution” of the original A-11 Spec of WW2 featuring most notably a 24H inner index ring. Specifically, we refined the design hand in hand with Bud Anderson who insisted on removing the inner 24H track - leading to the final dial design of the A-2. For both editions we’ve developed intricate commemorative casebacks hand in hand with both pilots. Most notably, both were meticulous about the P-51 Mustang design (Bud Anderson) or the F4F WildCat design (Diz Laird) which we’ve engraved to their precise standards.
The A-2 Bud & Diz
A pilot watch needs to guarantee absolute reliability & precision for the length of its mission. With that in mind, we’ve chosen to go with a Swiss Automatic P024 from SOPROD - a time tested caliber that provides high accuracy & a 41H power reserve. Anti-magnetic & shockproof, it can take a beating and still carry out its mission successfully; exactly what the A-2 Bud & Diz was originally designed for. For a more affordable version, we’ve also decided to offer the workhorse Seiko NH35 automatic movement as well
The A-2 Bud & Diz
The A-2 Bud & Diz was built with longevity in mind - that is the least we could do given the historical importance of the F4F/P-51 on the caseback. Featuring a 5ATM water-resistance & an industry-leading sapphire crystal, your A-2 will be able to follow your day-to-day with minimal risk. For low-light situations, we’ve lumed the indexes & hands of the A-2 generously.
The A-2 Bud & Diz
This project culminated as a collaboration between two very good friends from Auburn High School that became pilots: one for the USAF and the other for the USN. To celebrate the life-long friendship Bud & Diz had, they requested that their limited-edition watches use the same design: the A-2. When Diz attended Bud’s 100th birthday party and greeted him with a fist bump on stage, the crowd roared while the two young centurions displayed boyish grins. Later that year, they decided to take their last flight together in a Stearman hosted by Dream Flights. In honor of the collaboration, we’ve developed a limited edition collector’s watch case for those that want to buy both A-2s
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