Thursday, October 22, 2015

Roadrunners Internationale and Hager

This just in from Hager -

Courtesy of Hager


Hager Celebrates CIA A-12 Pilots In Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV- October 07, 2015 American watchmaker Hager (Haːɡɐ) unveiled the newest edition of their Professional Series during an exclusive reception and private dinner with members of Roadrunners Internationale, Lockheed Martin and the CIA. The event, at the Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas, was a highlight of the recent Roadrunner Internationale reunion. The Roadrunners were an elite group of CIA, Air Force, and support personnel operating out what is officially known as Area 51. They were an integral part of our Cold War history and supported the U-2, A-12, YF-12, and SR-71 programs.

Hager CEO Pierre Brown and Christopher Becker of Dubois Depraz, presented the brand’s newest timepiece, the Skymaster A-12 Limited Roadrunner Edition Chronograph, to two of the CIA’s legendary A-12 Oxcart pilots and Roadrunner members, Colonel Ken Collins, (USAF, ret.) and Lieutenant Colonel Frank Murray, (USAF, ret.). The A-12 Oxcart was the successor to the U-2 spy plane and precursor to the SR-71 Blackbird. Built by Lockheed Martin, the Oxcart was owned and operated by the CIA and represents a pioneering achievement in aeronautical engineering. To this day it holds records for speed and altitude (Mach 3.29 at 90,000 feet) for an air-breathing piloted jet aircraft. 

Courtesy of Hager

This newest edition to Hager’s Professional Series features several design elements that distinguish it from other chronograph models currently on the market. The Skymaster is a bi-compax chronograph housed in a 44mm brushed and polished case, with beveled edges; a bi-directional 24-click luminous ceramic twelve- hour countdown bezel that can also be used as a GMT; a domed Anti-reflective coated sapphire crystal (inside only); and recessed pushers and a screw-in crown. The Skymaster is water resistant to 100m. 

Courtesy of Hager

The dial sports a tachymeter scale stadium ring with two subdials and Skeleton Superluminova®-filled hands and markers. The Skymaster contains a special chronograph movement manufactured by one of the most renowned independent watchmakers in Switzerland, Dubois Depraz, with 62 jewels, at 28,800 vph. The specially modified (for Hager Watches) DD Caliber 2016 displays a 60-minute counter at 9 o’clock and a 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock. The red, plane-like Tachymeter hand also serves as the running seconds hand. 

Courtesy of Hager

The bracelet buckle is equipped with a push-button fold-over clasp and a push-button sliding micro- adjustment button that allows one to adjust the bracelet to an exact fit, rather than to the closest link size.

Courtesy of Hager
For a unique touch the sapphire caseback is custom imprinted and features the unit’s unofficial patch and the name of the program, CYGNUS, after the constellation of Cygnus the Swan—an appropriate tribute to the Skymasters’ heritage and captivating design.

This limited edition timepiece (available in Stainless Steel or Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC), will only be available to members of the Roadrunners Internationale.

Courtesy of Hager
“We are proud to honor COL Collins and LTC Murray for their service to our great nation and we hope to support the Roadrunners in the future so they can continue to preserve the history and heritage of the U-2, A-12, YF-12, and SR-71 programs for others to enjoy.” 


No comments:

Post a Comment