Ball watches

The history of the Ball Watch Company begins in the USA on April 19, 1891, with a dramatic train accident. That was the day two trains collided near Cleveland, Ohio. The crash was caused one of the train drivers' pocket watch, which had stopped for several minutes, unbeknownst to its owner. Following the train accident, watchmaker and railroad official Webb C. Ball was commissioned to set new standards for timekeeping in rail traffic. As early as 1893, the so-called “Ball standard” for railroad chronometers was introduced to railroads across North America. The Ball Watch Company has been producing watches of the highest quality since 1895.

Although the look of Ball watches has changed several times since the 19th century, the original details are still clearly recognizable. Even in the 21st century, the dial design still adheres to the 1893 General Railroad Timepiece Standards. Today, the Ball Watch Company is one of the most respected watch brands in the United States. The brand’s luxury watches produced in Switzerland have also enjoyed great popularity in Europe for several years now. The Engineer, Engineer II, Engineer Master II, Engineer Hydrocarbon, and Fireman collections are particularly well-known. The Roadmaster collection also offers an appealing line of timepieces.

Ball offers a variety of technical innovations as well. The self-powered micro gas tubes, based on innovative Swiss laser technology, are particularly remarkable. These micro gas tubes do not require an external energy source and, according to Ball, shine up to 100 times brighter than Super-LumiNova hour markers.

Depending on the model and complication, Ball uses both its own in-house calibers and modified movements from the Swiss movement manufacturer ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse.

Reasons to Buy a Ball Watch

• Traditional Swiss brand with American roots
• Outstanding value for money
• Innovative florescent technology
• Distinctive designs
• Models with in-house calibers

You can buy a Ball watch in mint condition for just over 1,000 USD. A Ball Fireman Enterprise in stainless steel with three hands and a date display, for example, demands an investment of around 1,080 USD. A stainless steel Ball Engineer III with an additional weekday display costs around 1,650 USD. Prices for diving watches like the Ball Engineer Master II start at around 2,100 USD. If you’d prefer a Ball Engineer Master II Skindiver from the Heritage collection, plan to spend around 2,200 USD. If you’re looking for a Ball watch with GMT function, check out the limited edition Roadmaster GMT Marine Ceramic. Prices here start at around 2,600 USD. Ball chronographs are only slightly more expensive. The Ball Fireman Storm Chaser with an automatic chronograph caliber based on an ETA movement, for example, will set you back about 2,750 USD.

The upper end of the price scale for Ball watches is occupied by rare models made of precious metals. These include the Ball Trainmaster Doctor's Chronograph, available in either yellow gold or platinum. The former will set you back about 9,900 USD, while the platinum chronograph demands an investment of over 30,000 USD.

The Ball Engineer collection is the brand’s most extensive. The manufacturer divides the line into six sub-collections: the Engineer II, Engineer III, Engineer M, Engineer, Master II, and Engineer Hydrocarbon.

Engineer II: Classic Designs, Sporty and Elegant

The Engineer II Skindiver Heritage (ref. DM3208B-S1C-BK), limited to 1,000 pieces, is just one of the watches in the Ball Engineer II collection. This model offers wearers a classic diving watch design with luminescent trapeze indices on a black dial. There are a total of 31 micro gas tubes on the dial, bezel, and hands, for optimum readability.

The 42-mm stainless steel watch is powered by an automatic ETA-based Ball caliber RR1102, which is also available with an optional chronometer certificate. Along with the hours and minutes, the movement also displays the date and day of the week at 3 o'clock. The timepiece is water-resistant to 200 m (20 bar, 656 ft) and changes hands for roughly 2,400 USD.

The Engineer II Marvelight ref. NM2026C-S6J-BE is a sporty and elegant three-hand watch with a satin-brushed bezel. The time is highly readable, thanks to the 14 micro gas tubes on the hour markers and hands. The Marvelight measures 40 mm in diameter and is water-resistant to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft). The watch offers dials in black, blue, silver, or white.

Inside the watch ticks the automatic Ball caliber RR1103 with a date display at 3 o'clock. Expect to spend approximately 1,200 USD for an unworn specimen.

Engineer III: High Technical Standards

Limited to 3,000 pieces, the Bronze Star (ref. NM2186C-L1J-BK) is 43 mm across and – you guessed it! – made of bronze. The black dial is dominated by Arabic numerals filled with Super-LumiNova, and its 14 micro gas tubes provide just the right level of illumination in the dark. The watch is shock-resistant up to 5,000 g, anti-magnetic up to 1,000 gauss, and powered by the Ball caliber RR1102 with a weekday and date display. You can call a mint-condition model your own for around 2,000 USD.

The stainless steel Engineer III Ohio ref. NM9026C-S5CJ-BK measures 40 mm in diameter and features a decidedly simple dial design. At first glance, the dial is reminiscent of the Explorer dial made famous by the Rolex timepiece of the same name. The dial has trapezoidal indices interrupted by Arabic numerals at 6, 9, and 12 o'clock. The date display is located at 3 o’clock, and 15 luminous micro gas tubes ensure optimum readability. The Ball caliber RR1103-C with chronometer certification sets the pace. The watch comes with a black, blue, green, or silver dial and costs just over 1,500 USD.

Engineer M: In-House Calibers

As of December 2023, the Ball Engineer M collection includes four models powered by in-house calibers. The Engineer M Skindiver III Beyond (ref. DD3100A-S2C-BE) is a classic diving watch with a unidirectional bezel. Limited to just 1,000 pieces, the watch features a blue dial with line indices. A total of 35 micro gas tubes on the bezel, indices, and hands ensure that the Skindiver III Beyond is always easy to read.

The 41.5-mm watch is made of stainless steel and water-resistant up to 300 m (30 bar, 984 ft). It’s also shock-resistant up to 5,000 g and anti-magnetic up to around 60,000 gauss. The Ball caliber 7309-C is chronometer-certified and boasts a power reserve of 80 hours. An Engineer M Skindiver III Beyond in mint condition changes hands on Chrono24 for roughly 2,750 USD.

The Ball Engineer Skindiver III ref. DD3100A-S1C-BK is also limited to 1,000 pieces. The watch is identical to the M Skindiver III Beyond in terms of its technical features and price, but has a black dial.

The Ball Engineer M Marvelight is available with a case size of either 43 mm (ref. NM2128C-S1C-BK) or 40 mm (ref. NM2032C-S1C-BK). Both models have a satin-brushed bezel, black dial, and 12 micro gas tube bar indices. Both models are water-resistant up to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft) and can withstand magnetic fields of up to 60,000 gauss. They Engineer M Marvelight is powered by the chronometer-certified in-house Ball caliber RRM7309-C.

Plan on spending approximately 2,600 USD on the 43-mm Engineer M Marvelight, or about 3,000 USD on the 40-mm model.

Engineer Master II: Diving & Pilot's Watches

Two variants of the Skindiver Heritage are typical representatives of the Engineer Master II collection: the ref. DM3308A-SCJ-BK with a black dial and the blue-dial ref. DM3308A-S1C-BE. Both 42-mm stainless steel watches feature bar indices fitted with micro gas tubes, and offer water resistance up to 300 m (30 bar, 984 ft). Both models are also shock-resistant up to 5,000 g and anti-magnetic up to 1,000 gauss. The timepieces are powered by the chronometer-certified automatic Ball caliber 1102-C. A mint-condition watch from the Engineer Master II Skindiver Heritage collection will set you back about 2,200 USD on Chrono24.

The Engineer Master II Diver Chronometer ref. DM2280A-S1C-BKR is a diving watch limited to 1,000 pieces. The 42-mm timepiece features an internal bezel and black dial, and is water-resistant up to 300 m (30 bar, 984 ft). There are a total of 36 micro gas tubes on the bezel, dial, and hands. The Engineer Master II Diver Chronometer can withstand magnetic fields of up to 1,000 gauss and shocks of up to 5,000 g. The watch is powered by the COSC-certified Ball caliber RR1101-C, which offers an additional date display at 3 o’clock. Expect to pay around 2,750 USD for a specimen in mint condition.

Engineer Hydrocarbon: For Explorers & Adventurers

The Engineer Hydrocarbon collection is home to a range of timepieces aimed at explorers and adventurers. The movements are chronometer-certified and equipped with Ball's patented Springlock and Springseal systems. This means that the watches are anti-magnetic up to 1,000 gauss and shock-resistant up to 7,500 g. Ball also equips most Hydrocarbon models with a particularly robust crown protector in the form of a bracket that encloses the crown.

Fans of watches with a diver design will get their money's worth with the Ball ref. DM2118B-SCJ-BK. This 40-mm watch with a black dial features the typical diving watch look with dot and line indices. The bezel is fitted with a sapphire crystal insert. As is usual with Ball, micro gas tubes illuminate the indices on the dial and bezel.

The watch is water-resistant to 200 m (20 bar, 656 ft) and also offers magnetic field protection of up to 1,000 gauss. At the heart of this Hydrocarbon ticks the Ball caliber RR1102-CSL. You can purchase this model for around 3,000 USD in mint condition. A 43-mm version of the watch bears the reference number DM2218B-SCJ-BK and is available with either a blue or green dial. This larger variant trades hands on Chrono24 for roughly 3,300 USD.

Hydrocarbon GMT & Chronograph

If you’re looking for a Ball Hydrocarbon with a second time zone, then one of the brand’s AeroGMT variants could be the watch for you. Ref. DG2118C-S3C-BK, for example, measures 40 mm in diameter and is fitted with a black and red 24-hour sapphire crystal bezel. The timepiece is powered by the chronometer-certified Ball caliber RR1201-C and water-resistant up to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft). This model will set you back about 3,300 USD. The 40 and 42-mm versions come with a black and green bezel and can be yours for a comparable expenditure.

The Engineer Hydrocarbon collection also offers chronographs with mechanical movements. The Racer Chronograph ref. CM2198C-S1CJ-SL, for example, has a classic bicompax dial design available in blue, silver, or black. The stainless steel bezel of this 42-mm watch comes with a tachymeter scale, which wearers can use to calculate speeds and distances. The watch is equipped with the chronometer-certified Ball caliber RR1401-C, which features a 45-minute counter at 3 o’clock, a small seconds at 9, and a date display at 12. In mint condition, the Racer Chronograph demands an investment of approximately 2,300 USD on Chrono24.

The Ball Trainmaster collection references the unique history of the brand and primarily offers elegant watches with Ball’s classic sense of design. The Standard Time ref. NM3888D-PG-LCJ-WH is one of the few models the manufacturer makes with an 18-carat rose gold case. The 39.7-mm timepiece is fitted with a white enamel dial featuring twelve black Arabic numeral hour markers supplemented by small luminous dot indices that compliment the railroad minute markers at the outer edge of the dial. The watch is water-resistant up to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft) and powered by the Ball caliber RR1105-C, which along with centralized hours and minutes also provides the watch with a small seconds above 6 o’clock and a date display at 3. You can view the movement through a sapphire crystal back.

The Ball Trainmaster Standard Time in mint condition changes hands on Chrono24 for roughly 5,170 USD. The stainless steel variant will set you back about 2,750 USD.

The Trainmaster collection also offers watches with a moon phase display. The stainless steel Moon Phase ref. NM3288D-SJ-WH measures 40 mm in diameter and features a clean blue sunburst dial. There are only twelve trapezoidal micro gas tubes on the dial, complemented by a large moon phase display in the center.

The hours, minutes, seconds, moon phase, and date are all made possible by the Ball caliber RR1801, which is shock-resistant up to 5 g. The Trainmaster Moon Phase is water-resistant up to 50 m (5 bar, 164 ft) and demands an investment of around 2,000 USD. The same amount will also get you a model with a black or silver dial.

Fireman: Clean Look & Robust Build

With just four models (as of December 2023), the Fireman collection is one of the smallest in the Ball catalog. Here you will find the three-hand models Victory, Enterprise, Classic, and Night Train DLC, which has a black DLC-coated case. All four watches are powered by the automatic Ball caliber RR1103, which is shock-resistant up to 5 g. The Fireman offers a water resistance of up to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft).

The 40-mm Ball Fireman Victory is available with a number of different dial finishes and colors. Common to all dials, however, are the twelve trapezoidal micro gas tube hour markers and date display between 4 and 5 o’clock. You can call the Ball Fireman Victory your own for around 1,370 USD on Chrono24.

The Ball Fireman Enterprise measures 40 mm in diameter and features a decidedly simple design with a black or white dial. The hours are indicated by twelve long baton indices. The Ball Fireman Enterprise demands an investment of about 770 USD. If you prefer a more classic look with applied metal indices, check out the Fireman Classic. You can add this watch to your collection for about the same price as the Enterprise.

In terms of design, the Fireman Night Train DLC is much more modern. With a diameter of 45 mm, the DLC-coated case is designed for big wrists. The watch features a total of 75 bar-shaped micro gas tubes, which are doubled at the hour indices and provide just the right amount of illumination on the dial. Prices for an unworn model start at around 1,700 USD.

Roadmaster Pilot GMT & Marine GMT

The Roadmaster collection consists of a series of robust tool watches with a wide range of applications. Well-known models include the Roadmaster Pilot GMT and Marine GMT. As the names suggest, these models come with a GMT function. As of December 2023, Ball offers two versions of the Roadmaster GMT Pilot, which differ only in the color of the ceramic bezel: black and red, or black and blue.

The titanium watch measures 40 mm in diameter and features a special quick-set mechanism for the local time. This function can be controlled by two additional crowns located on the left-hand side of the case. A total of 27 micro gas tubes on the dial, hands, and bezel ensure perfect readability for all three time display options.

The watch is powered by the automatic Ball caliber RR1204-C, which also offers a date display at 3 o'clock. As usual, the Roadmaster Pilot GMT is shock-resistant up to 5 g and can withstand magnetic fields of up to 60,000 gauss. The Ball Roadmaster Pilot GMT is water-resistant up to 300 m (30 bar, 984 ft) and costs approximately 3,000 USD on Chrono24.

At first glance, watches in the Roadmaster Marine GMT Ceramic collection differ from the Pilot GMT only in their array of bezel colors, of which there are a total of eight different color variants to choose from. If you look closely, however, you’ll notice that the Marine GMT Ceramic not only displays the date but also the day of the week, made possible by the Ball caliber RR1203-C. The remaining technical specs correspond to those of the Roadmaster Pilot GMT. Each variant of the Ball Roadmaster Marine GMT Ceramic is limited to just 1,000 pieces. The ref. DG3030B-S2C-BK with a black and green bezel, for example, will set you back about 2,650 USD.

Other Roadmaster models include the Rescue Chronograph, which changes hands on Chrono24 for roughly 2,750 USD, and the Roadmaster Vanguard with a second time zone, priced at around 2,200 USD.