Ball Watch Co.

Ball Watch Company

A little American Railroad History…

WEBB C. BALL, the Founder

Webster Clay Ball was born in Fredericktown, Ohio on October 6, 1847. When Standard Time was adopted in 1883, he was the first jeweler to use time signals, bringing accurate time to Cleveland. On July 19, 1891, the General Superintendent of Lake Shore Lines appointed Webb C. Ball as Chief Inspector for the lines. His early inspection system was the beginning of the vast Ball network that would encompass 75% of the railroads throughout the country and cover at least 175,000 miles of railroad. Webb C. Ball also extended his system into Mexico and Canada.

In 1996, Cleveland, Ohio, celebrated the bicentennial of the founding of the city on the lake. During this celebration, many individuals were remembered and recognized as Cleveland’s favorite sons, and their accomplishments were reviewed. One Clevelander honored, whose accomplishments reached international acclaim, not only for his civic contributions, but also for his place in horology, was Webb C. Ball.

It is important to recognize and applaud Webb C. Ball, for his system was the first successful one to be accepted on a broad scale. It was his system that set the standard for railroads; it was his system that helped establish accuracy and uniformity in timekeeping. It was his system that resulted in railroad time and railroad watches being recognized as STANDARD, whenever accuracy in time was required. In general, it became accepted that when the average person asks a railroad man the time, he is assured a correct answer.

“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.

Advertisement

“Today, BALL Watch is one of the most respected and established watch brands in the United States.”

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.”

“Since 1891, accuracy under adverse conditions”

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.

Ball Trainmaster Worldtime Chronograph

“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…”

Ball Fireman Racer
Ball Engineer Master II Diver Freefall

“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…”

Ball Fireman Classic and Classic Ladies
Get It On eBay


 

The Series – The Collection

OFFICIAL RAILROAD

Ball Flying Scotsman

OFFICIAL RAILROAD
FLYING SCOTSMAN

Ref. NM2198D-PG-LCJ-WH
Ball GCT

OFFICIAL RAILROAD
GCT

Ref. GM2086C-L2-BK
Ball Power Reserve

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

Ball Engineer II Chronometer Red Label 40 mm

ENGINEER II
CHRONOMETER RED LABEL

Ref. NM2026C-LCJ-BK
Ball Engineer II Ohio Moon Phase

ENGINEER II
OHIO MOON PHASE

Ref. NM2082C-SJ-BK
Ball Engineer II Arabic 40 mm

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

Ball Engineer Master II DLC

ENGINEER MASTER II
DLC

Ref. NM2020C-PA-BKYE
Ball Engineer Master II Diver Freefall

ENGINEER MASTER II
DIVER FREEFALL

Ref. DC1028C-S2J-BK
Ball Engineer Master II Diver TMT

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

Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Ceramic XV

ENGINEER HYDROCARBON
CERAMIC XV

Ref. DM2136A-SCJ-BK
Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon DeepQuest

ENGINEER HYDROCARBON
DEEPQUEST

Ref. DM3000A-SC-BK
Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon NEDU

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

Ball Trainmaster One Hundred Twenty

TRAINMASTER
ONE HUNDRED TWENTY

Ref. NM2888D-PG-LJ-GYGO
Ball Trainmaster Moonlight Special

TRAINMASTER
MOONLIGHT SPECIAL

Ref. CM1036D-L1J-BK
Ball Trainmaster Worldtime Chronograph

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

Ball Conductor Transcendent

CONDUCTOR
TRANSCENDENT

Ref. NM2068D-SAJ-WH
Ball Conductor Vanderbilt Chronograph

CONDUCTOR
VANDERBILT CHRONOGRAPH

Ref. CM2068D-LJ-BK
Ball Conductor Classic

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

Ball Fireman Racer DLC

FIREMAN
RACER DLC

Ref. NM3098C-P1J-BK
Ball Fireman Night Train DLC

FIREMAN
NIGHT TRAIN DLC

Ref. NM2092C-P-BK
Ball Fireman Victory

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

“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.”

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.

Night and Day View of the Ball Trainmaster Worldtime Chronograph
Night and Day View of the Ball Trainmaster Worldtime Chronograph, with phosphor-coated micro tubes filled with pure tritium gas (3H), creating self-powered illumination which glows 100 times more brightly than conventional luminous paint, for up to 25 years before needing complete replacement. Blue light tubes are a recent addition to this technology, and although this watch was not designed for diving, this colour wavelength allows for better visibility in greater water depths for other models designed for diving.

BALL WATCHES

BALL WATCHES



Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
devonbuy.com