A-2 Diz Laird Limited Edition
Description
The A-2 Diz Laird Limited Edition pays hommage to the "Ace of Two Oceans" Dean Diz Laird. A US Navy Pilot, he flew both the F4F Wildcat & F6F Hellcat above the Atlantic & Pacific Oceans. Credited with 6.25 Aerial Victories, Diz is the only USN ace pilot to have victories in both Oceans.
In memory of Diz Laird, we've developed an F4F "Blue Gray" dial inspired by the original paint-scheme of the ace's favorite plane. 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 have a small serialized disc of actual F4F-Wildcat metal donated to us. Below, we've engraved Diz' F4F with his lucky #3. Signed by the man himself, the watch harbors both the legacy of the pilot & plane behind the "Ace of Two Oceans".
Featuring a flat sapphire crystal & 5 ATM water-resistance, the A-2 Diz 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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