Horological Meandering

I'm entering world of Ball watch without ever seeing one based on opinions of others. Concensus here?

Their tritium gas capsules will shine all night in those parts of the earth that are plunged into utter darkness - or a Twilight Zone.

From my personal (re)searches on the Net - tritium is complletely harmless to the wearer unless he smashes the glass, licks or inhales it. Even so, not Really dangerous.

After about 12.5 years it will shine only half as brightly - but I bet it will still outdo Superluminova.

As for Superluminova, even the latest from Seiko or Rolex, I think it would have to be charged from sunlight or a light source containing enough UV to keep it going for more than a few hours into the night.

Night rhymes with light. That*s right!

When I wake up in the night - say after having a nightmare - I want to reach for my watch, unless I happen to be wearing it - to check out the time. If I have to reach for my glasses and turn on the bedlight, then I am wide awake and can't get back to sleep again. Maybe a repeater could help? - don't think so.

Apart from luminosity, the few photos and a recent presentation in the USA make me like these Bell products a lot! Can we find them elsewhere, say north of Helsinki?

Regards,
amerix

This message has been edited by amerix on 2011-02-17 10:46:19

They are big, especially in thickness, which is not something that always comes across in the pictures, but well-made at the price. In design, I prefer the "traditional" ones, rather then the ones with numerals made of the tubes, with that LED display look.

As a company, they seem to be a "bought the rights to the name", like many of the more recent Swiss brands, rather then actually connected to the original business

A

Here's a link to some of the new collection being showcased at a L.A. event of Ball Watch Co:  www.watchprosite.com /

-MW

Oris, Tag and other mid level brands who depend on ETA movements. the tritium tubes intrigue me. i dont think you can go far wrong as long as the size is ok for you. the only problem i have is their tenuous connection to the original Ball company responsible for the US railroad pocketwatches, but so many companies are using this type of connection to hype their watches that you shouldnt worry about it.

thats just my opinion of course and like you i've never seen one in the flesh. having said that i buy most of my watches without trying them on and i'm happy with 99.9% of them.

Graham

Currently I have Ball Dual Time and Ball World Timer... I had Ball Night Train, Aviator GMT - I want to get this one back and Ball Hydrocarbon GMT... Lovely watch, good finishings.

I dont and will never again deal with Ball USA. I only deal with Ball Switzerland.

1.  I think they are, to use a bit of slang, "cool-looking".  I like the Tritium tubes and how they glow in the dark.

2. The cases have always struck me as very well made.

3. The movements are fairly generic ETA movements (mine is a 2892a), some which are refinished enough so that Ball can give it its own caliber designation.  The watch I own keeps fairly decent time...about what you'd expect for a mid-level ETA.  I suspect Ball watches that receive COSC certification may do a bit better, but they are also probably a bit more expensive.

4. The prices are reasonable.

5. The company's effort to brand itself as having a genetic connection to a U.S. railroad past is a bit of a stretch (the company is presently owned by several Asian and U.S. investors), but it does have a real and bona fide U.S. connection.  And, to the extent the "railroad" theme is touted because it reflects their design ethos (and I think it does), that's fine with me because I've always liked their designs.

6. 'Haute Horologie' they are not.  These are casual/sport watches to be beaten-up, tossed-around and enjoyed.  But that's okay....everybody needs to have a "beater" watch or two (or 3...) and if I were the kind of person who wanted to have more than just one beater around (mine is a UTS 1000m v2 GMT) Ball would definitely be on my short list.

7. I gave my Ball to my daugher, who is a senior in college.  She adores the watch and she gets a lot of compliments about it from her peers.  She beats the living daylights out of it but hey:  she enjoys it!

DB Darien

My daughter's watch:  Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Magnate

This message has been edited by db darien on 2011-02-18 09:40:36

The simpler time only/date watches like the Fireman or Engineer Hydrocarbon Spacemaster are the best expression of these watches IMO.

Cheers,
Daos

They are generally thick and heavy but serves as great workhorses.

cheers

PAt

I own a Ball dive watch (Engineer Master II Diver Chronometer). At the price point the watch is, I think that they have tremendous quality.  The finish on the dials, cases and braclets are very good. I think as sport watches they are an excellent choice.  The tritium glow is a unique feature.  Many of the watches are rated T25 and some are T60 or T100 (outside the US on the late). The tritium is about 80% as bright as well applied superluminova.  The difference being is after a short time the superluminova fades and the tritium does not (it does over decades though). My model (and many others) come with Chronometer grade movements (mine has a ETA 2836-2) and keep excellent time.  So if the aesthetics of the watch attracts you, have no fear about the quality of the watch. In their price range, they are an excellent choice in my experience.

Bob