Ball Watch Co.

A little American Railroad History…

“On April 19, 1891 the Fast Mail train known as No. 4 was coming west on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad in Kipton, Ohio. At Elyria, 25 miles from Cleveland, the Engineer and the Conductor of the Accommodation were given orders to let the fast mail train pass them at Kipton, a small station west of Oberlin, the University town.

As the Conductor of Accommodation admitted afterward, from the time the train left Elyria until it collided with the Fast Mail at Kipton, he did not take his watch out of his pocket. He said that he supposed the Engineer would look out for Fast Mail No. 4. But the Engineer’s watch stopped for four minutes and then began running again, a little matter of life and death of which he was unconscious. There were several stations between Elyria and Kipton, but the Engineer pounded slowly along in the belief that he had time to spare.

Leaving Oberlin, the Engineer supposed he had seven minutes before reaching the meeting point. Of course he only had three minutes. Had the Conductor looked at his own watch he could have prevented the accident. The trains came together at Kipton, the Fast Mail at full speed and the Accommodation under brakes, because it was nearing the station. The Engineers of both trains were killed, and the dead bodies of nine clerks were taken from the kindling wood and broken iron of the postal cars.

The Kipton Disaster prompted the Lake Shore officials to enlist Webb C. Ball (see inset box at right) to investigate Time and Watch conditions throughout the Lake Shore Line and develop an inspection system for their implementation. Webb C. Ball set about immediately and put in place fortnightly checks on the watches worn by all railroad workers. The checks were carried out by approved watchmakers. Ball set strict standards, forbidding variations more than 30 seconds among the watches.

Today, BALL Watch is one of the most respected and established watch brands in the United States. Despite changes in appearance, the founding spirit of the brand – industrial function – is never compromised. It is upheld in Ball’s original details, such as the watch dial that faithfully follows his design guidelines for the standard railway watch. Every detail, from the shape of the hands to the style of the numerals, was laid down by the founder in his quest for accuracy in timekeeping.

It is a vision that the Ball family remains faithful to. For legions of men and women today whose split-second decisions keep the world ticking, it is a shared commitment.”

Ball watches may not share the stage with watch giants like Patek Philippe and Jaeger-LeCoultre, but their railroad legacy is hard to dismiss. The tagline “Since 1891, accuracy under adverse conditions” is a great one. I currently own two Ball watches – the first two in the following – and the models presented below are some of my personal favourites from Ball’s line of watches.

	“My first watch from Ball was the Trainmaster Worldtime Chronograph. This watch has served me well in my globe-trots and couldn’t have come handier during a recent trip to Rome when I needed quick checks of the time back home for office communications, as well as the time in Utah USA to make a phone call to sort out a business downtime. Literally, the times on both ends of the planet, including those in between, were made available on my wrist!”
“My second watch was the Fireman Racer, with red arabic numerals over a black dial, with red stitchings on a black rubber strap. Shown here is a different model with blue highlights over a white dial. I am no fireman, but the 15 micro tubes on the hour, minute and second hands and on dial index markers make this watch highly readable in pitch black darkness – something I’ve come to appreciate very much in Ball watches…”
	“The Engineer Master II Diver Freefall remains to this day my favourite watch from Ball. As an engineer and a diver, it’s a watch I can certainly relate to. Its stocky steel case spells sturdiness, and the rubber strap and stainless steel bracelet included in the attractive box set with tools for the swap make this limited edition a good value buy! The inner rotating bezel and chronograph counters complicate the dial which draws interest.”

“Expect Ball to do really well with timeless classic designs such as this Fireman Classic, where all the curves, lines and proportions have been handsomely applied. The Fireman Classic Ladies seen here is no less a stunning beauty…”

The Series – The Collection

OFFICIAL RAILROAD FLYING SCOTSMAN Ref. NM2198D-PG-LCJ-WH	OFFICIAL RAILROAD GCT Ref. GM2086C-L2-BK	OFFICIAL RAILROAD POWER RESERVE Ref. NM1056D-L1J-WH
limited edition – 149 pieces 18-carat/750 rose gold case 42.0 mm case width 10.9 mm case thickness anti-reflective sapphire crystal sapphire crystal caseback automatic caliber BALL RR1105-C chronometer certified COSC 14 micro gas tubes on hour and minute hands and dial 5,000 Gs shock resistance water-resistant to 30 m crocodile leather strap with rose gold standard buckle	limited edition – 999 pieces stainless steel case 44.0 mm case width 13.3 mm case thickness anti-reflective convex sapphire crystal screwed-in crown automatic caliber BALL RR1301 15 micro gas tubes on hour, minute, second hands and dial second time zone indication 5,000 Gs shock resistance antimagnetic to 4,800 A/m water-resistant to 100 m stainless steel bracelet with folding buckle or calf leather strao with standard buckle	stainless steel case 41.0 mm case width 12.6 mm case thickness anti-reflective sapphire crystal sapphire crystal caseback screwed-in crown automatic caliber BALL RR1702 power reserve display 15 micro gas tubes 5,000 Gs shock resistance water-resistant to 50 m stainless steel bracelet or crocodile leather strap

ENGINEER II CHRONOMETER RED LABEL Ref. NM2026C-LCJ-BK	ENGINEER II OHIO MOON PHASE Ref. NM2082C-SJ-BK	ENGINEER II ARABIC (40mm) Ref. NM1020C-S4-BK
stainless steel case 40.0 mm case width 13.15 mm case thickness black, grey or white dial anti-reflective sapphire crystal screwed-in crown automatic caliber BALL RR1102-C chronometer certified COSC 15 micro gas tubes on hour, minute, second hands and dial 5,000 Gs shock resistance antimagnetic to 4,800 A/m water-resistant to 100 m stainless steel bracelet with folding buckle or crocodile leather strap with standard buckle	stainless steel case 40.0 mm case width 13.2 mm case thickness black or silver dial anti-reflective sapphire crystal screwed-in crown automatic caliber BALL RR1801 15 micro gas tubes on hour, minute, second hands and dial 5,000 Gs shock resistance antimagnetic to 4,800 A/m water-resistant to 100 m stainless steel bracelet or calf leather strap	stainless steel case 40.0 mm case width 13.2 mm case thickness anti-reflective sapphire crystal screwed-in crown automatic caliber BALL RR1103 27 micro gas tubes on hour, minute, second hands and dial 5,000 Gs shock resistance antimagnetic to 4,800 A/m water-resistant to 100 m stainless steel bracelet or calf leather strap

ENGINEER MASTER II DLC Ref. NM2020C-PA-BKYE	ENGINEER MASTER II DIVER FREEFALL Ref. DC1028C-S2J-BK	ENGINEER MASTER II DIVER TMT Ref. DT1020A-PAJ-BK
stainless steel with black DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) case 41.0 mm case width 13.00 mm case thickness black dial anti-reflective sapphire crystal screwed-in crown automatic caliber BALL RR1102 51 micro gas tubes on hour, minute, second hands and dial 5,000 Gs shock resistance antimagnetic to 4,800 A/m water-resistant to 100 m calf leather or rubber strap	stainless steel case 43.8 mm case width 16.3 mm case thickness black or blue dial anti-reflective convex sapphire crystal screwed-in crowns automatic caliber BALL RR1402 chronograph with accumulated time measurement up to 12 hours 25 micro gas tubes on hour, minute, second hands and dial 5,000 Gs shock resistance antimagnetic to 4,800 A/m water-resistant to 300 m stainless steel bracelet with folding buckle or rubber strap with standard or folding buckle	limited edition – 2,006 pieces titanium with black DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) case also available in stainless steel case with silver dial on stainless steel bracelet 42.0 mm case width 14.9 mm case thickness anti-reflective sapphire crystal screwed-in crowns automatic caliber BALL RR1601 53 micro gas tubes 5,000 Gs shock resistance antimagnetic to 4,800 A/m water-resistant to 300 m cold temperature endurance to -40oC thermometric indication range from -35oC to 45oC/-31oF to 113oF celsius or fahrenheit display rubber strap

ENGINEER HYDROCARBON CERAMIC XV Ref. DM2136A-SCJ-BK	ENGINEER HYDROCARBON DEEPQUEST Ref. DM3000A-SC-BK	ENGINEER HYDROCARBON NEDU Ref. DC3026A-SC-BK
stainless steel case 42.0 mm case width 13.25 mm case thickness black dial 5.3 mm anti-reflective sapphire crystal top ceramic luminous unidirectional rotating bezel patented crown protection system automatic caliber BALL RR1101-C chronometer certified COSC 31 micro gas tubes on hour, minute, second hands and dial 5,000 Gs shock resistance antimagnetic to 4,800 A/m water-resistant to 300 m tapered stainless steel bracelet with patented folding buckle and extension system, or rubber strap with standard buckle	titanium single block case 43.0 mm case width 16.00 mm case thickness black or silver dial 5.3 mm anti-reflective sapphire crystal automatic helium release valve screwed-in crown automatic caliber BALL RR1101-C chronometer certified COSC 3 micro gas tubes on hour, minute, second hands and 12 patented rectangular micro gas tubes on dial 7,500 Gs shock resistance antimagnetic to 4,800 A/m water-resistant to 3,000 m tapered titanium and stainless steel bracelet with patented folding buckle and extension system, or rubber strap with standard buckle	titanium case 42.0 mm case width 17.3 mm case thickness black, blue or white dial 3.7 mm anti-reflective sapphire crystal top ceramic luminous unidirectional rotating bezel underwater operable chronograph with accumulated measurement up to 12 hours patented helium system patented crown protection system automatic caliber BALL RR1402-C chronometer certified COSC 21 micro gas tubes on hour, minute, second hands and dial 7,500 Gs shock resistance antimagnetic to 4,800 A/m water-resistant to 600 m stainless steel and titanium bracelet with patented folding buckle and extension system

TRAINMASTER ONE HUNDRED TWENTY Ref. NM2888D-PG-LJ-GYGO	TRAINMASTER MOONLIGHT SPECIAL Ref. CM1036D-L1J-BK	TRAINMASTER WORLDTIME CHRONOGRAPH Ref. CM2052D-LJ-BK
18-carat/750 rose gold case 39.5 mm case width 10.5 mm case thickness grey or silver dial with rose gold index anti-reflective sapphire crystal convex sapphire crystal caseback automatic caliber BALL RR1101 14 micro gas tubes on hour and minute hands and dial 5,000 Gs shock resistance water-resistant to 50 m crocodile leather strap with standard buckle	limited edition – 999 pieces stainless steel case 43.0 mm case width 16.0 mm case thickness black, silver or brown dial anti-reflective sapphire crystal sapphire crystal caseback automatic caliber BALL RR1406 chronograph, accumulation measurement up to 12 hours 24-hour indication and moon phase display triple calendar 15 micro gas tubes 5,000 Gs shock resistance water-resistant to 50 m stainless steel bracelet of crocodile leather strap	stainless steel case 42.0 mm case width 13.7 mm case thickness black or white dial anti-reflective sapphire crystal sapphire crystal caseback screwed-in crown automatic caliber BALL RR1502 world time display 15 micro gas tubes on hour, minute, second hands and dial 5,000 Gs shock resistance water-resistant to 50 m crocodile leather strap with standard buckle

CONDUCTOR TRANSCENDENT Ref. NM2068D-SAJ-WH	CONDUCTOR VANDERBILT CHRONOGRAPH Ref. CM2068D-LJ-BK	CONDUCTOR CLASSIC Ref. NM1068D-LJ-BK
stainless steel case 37.5 mm x 47.5 mm case 10.4 mm case thickness black or white dial tv screen anti-reflective sapphire crystal curved sapphire crystal caseback screwed-in crown automatic caliber BALL RR1101 30 micro gas tubes on hour and minute hands and dial 5,000 Gs shock resistance water-resistant to 50 m stainless steel bracelet with folding buckle or crocodile leather strap with standard buckle	stainless steel case 38.5 mm x 51.0 mm case 14.3 mm case thickness black or grey dial tv screen anti-reflective sapphire crystal curved sapphire crystal caseback screwed-in crown automatic caliber BALL RR1401 two register chronograph, accumulated measurement up to 45 minutes 14 micro gas tubes 5,000 Gs shock resistance water-resistant to 50 m crocodile leather strap	stainless steel case 35.5 mm x 47.5 mm case 12.5 mm case thickness black or white dial tv screen anti-reflective sapphire crystal curved sapphire crystal caseback screwed-in crown automatic caliber BALL RR1101 3 hands and date 16 micro gas tubes 5,000 Gs shock resistance water-resistant to 50 m stainless steel bracelet or crocodile leather strap

FIREMAN RACER DLC Ref. NM3098C-P1J-BK	FIREMAN NIGHT TRAIN DLC Ref. NM2092C-P-BK	FIREMAN VICTORY Ref. NM2098C-S3J-BK
stainless steel case with DLC coating 43.0 mm case diameter 11.35 mm case thickness black dial anti-reflective sapphire crystal screwed-in crown automatic caliber BALL RR1103 15 micro gas tubes on hour, minute and second hands and dial 5,000 Gs shock resistance water-resistant to 100 m rubber strap with standard buckle	stainless steel case with DLC coating 45.0 mm diameter case 11.65 mm case thickness black dial anti-reflective sapphire crystal screwed-in crown automatic caliber BALL RR1103 hours, minutes, sweep seconds and date 75 micro gas tubes on hour, minute and second hands and dial 5,000 Gs shock resistance water-resistant to 100 m rubber strap with standard buckle	stainless steel case 40.0 mm diameter case black or white dial anti-reflective sapphire crystal screwed-in crown automatic caliber BALL RR1103 3 hands and a date 14 micro gas tubes 5,000 Gs shock resistance water-resistant to 100 m stainless steel bracelet

Related Videos

“BALL is on the wrist of Jonathan Legg, ultimate explorer of the “Road Less Traveled” TV Show, airing on National Geographic and Discovery Channels. Jonathan Legg spans the globe in search of exotic and unique experiences; moments not found in the mainstream and rutted path of millions, but on the Road Less Traveled. There could not be a better choice than BALL for his timekeeper, the truly ultimate explorer’s watch that ensures accuracy under adverse conditions since 1891.”

End Notes on Gas Light Tubes and Usability

Thanks to Swiss technology, pure tritium gas (3H, an isotope of hydrogen gas) is filled and contained within mineral glass tubes coated with luminescent material which produces light when tritium electrons strike the luminous phosphors on the inside surface of the glass tubes. This self-powered micro gas lights produce an inherent glow that allows time to be read off the watch in complete darkness (see photo below), without the need for recharging under external light source the way conventional luminous glow-in-the-dark markers on other watches do. These micro gas lights glow up to 100 times more brightly than conventional luminous paints and last up to 25 years before requiring complete replacement of these tubes. The brightness is expected to deteriorate over time, but I will be in my sixties when replacement of these gas light tubes become necessary on my Trainmaster Worldtime Chronograph. On a side note, tritium gas is only toxic when inhaled, and poses no hazards or risks, as exposure to other background radiation from one’s daily surrounding is regarded to be higher.