Quick Review of my new Ball

[Ryeguy]

I just picked this up and figured I'd share my thoughts

It was kind of a "want this, get that" purchase after admiring the new Rolex OP that we discussed a few months ago.



I liked the looks of this OP, and I thought a green dial was a bit unique and outside my normal black or blue dial preferences.

When I saw this Ball Engineer III Ohio pop up on Joma for about $900, I decided to give it a shot.

IMG_8589.jpeg

IMG_8588.jpeg

Things I like:
- 40mm 904L Stainless case and bracelet with some kind of hardness coating ("Mu-metal Shield" whatever that is)
- COSC certified movement based on the ETA 2824-2
- Anti-magnetic to 1,000 Gauss / 80,000A/m
- 100m water resistance with screw down crown
- 15 Tritium gas tubes for great night visibility that are discrete and not "in your face" like on other models
- Applied faceted indices for good daytime visibility
- Seconds hand ornate "counter balance" - This may be a controversial design element, but I like it.

Things I don't like:
- The bracelet is a bit too "bling" to me
- The bracelet does not taper very much - maybe 20mm to 18mm
- Butterfly clasp (works, and does include half links, but adjustment is limited)

This is my first COSC-certified chronometer and it is running about 30 seconds slow after 4 days of wear. I have not played around with positional variance.

Bottom line, this watch is going to serve the role as my "business travel watch". I'm going to explore some options for leather straps.

This watch can be found on the Ball website here: https://shop.ballwatch.ch/en/ball-watch ... 6C-S5CJ-GR

[hoppyjr]

I like the shade of green. The tubes seem to blend well too.

As for the bling on bracelet; you could have it fully brushed on the top surfaces as I recently did on the BB Monochrome. While I won’t help the lack of adjustability, it’ll look more subdued.

Another thought is the Omega style mesh deployant strap I bought on eBay would work well on that style watch. Again, adjustment is based on holes (like with deployant leather or rubber) but if I fits you it would look really nice.

Congrats.

[Wario406]

That’s a beautiful watch. Congrats. Mid-market watches like Ball DO stand up in comparison to top brands, and that one is sharp.

[gwells]

i was expecting more to ask the question, "which one? lefty or righty?"

at least it isn't blue.

nice ball.

[Blaine]

I just picked this up and figured I'd share my thoughts

It was kind of a "want this, get that" purchase after admiring the new Rolex OP that we discussed a few months ago.



I liked the looks of this OP, and I thought a green dial was a bit unique and outside my normal black or blue dial preferences.

When I saw this Ball Engineer III Ohio pop up on Joma for about $900, I decided to give it a shot.

IMG_8589.jpeg

IMG_8588.jpeg

Things I like:
- 40mm 904L Stainless case and bracelet with some kind of hardness coating ("Mu-metal Shield" whatever that is)
- COSC certified movement based on the ETA 2824-2
- Anti-magnetic to 1,000 Gauss / 80,000A/m
- 100m water resistance with screw down crown
- 15 Tritium gas tubes for great night visibility that are discrete and not "in your face" like on other models
- Applied faceted indices for good daytime visibility
- Seconds hand ornate "counter balance" - This may be a controversial design element, but I like it.

Things I don't like:
- The bracelet is a bit too "bling" to me
- The bracelet does not taper very much - maybe 20mm to 18mm
- Butterfly clasp (works, and does include half links, but adjustment is limited)

This is my first COSC-certified chronometer and it is running about 30 seconds slow after 4 days of wear. I have not played around with positional variance.

Bottom line, this watch is going to serve the role as my "business travel watch". I'm going to explore some options for leather straps.

This watch can be found on the Ball website here: https://shop.ballwatch.ch/en/ball-watch ... 6C-S5CJ-GR

Really great color. A lot there for the $$. Congrats and enjoy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[snootydog]

A man with 3 balls,who'd have thought Nice looking watch Chris,I like that shade of green.

[BacoNoir]

I like it. You're right in that a lot of time the gas tubes are too much on Balls, but the use of the small dots for the hour markers and thin tubes for the hands works on this one. Any lume shots?

[Ryeguy]

I like it. You're right in that a lot of time the gas tubes are too much on Balls, but the use of the small dots for the hour markers and thin tubes for the hands works on this one. Any lume shots?

I’ve heard mixed remarks about the brightness of these tritium tubes, but I actually find them more than adequate (especially for a design like this one where the tubes aren’t a focal point).

IMG_8591.jpeg

Here is a lume shot.

It isn’t a torch like some micros, but it is very adequate. I like the use of a different color at the 12 position for easily orientation.

[ChuckW]

I like it. You're right in that a lot of time the gas tubes are too much on Balls, but the use of the small dots for the hour markers and thin tubes for the hands works on this one. Any lume shots?

I’ve heard mixed remarks about the brightness of these tritium tubes, but I actually find them more than adequate (especially for a design like this one where the tubes aren’t a focal point).

IMG_8591.jpeg

Here is a lume shot.

It isn’t a torch like some micros, but it is very adequate. I like the use of a different color at the 12 position for easily orientation.

A lot of people don't understand the way auto-luminescence works versus photo-luminescence, but obviously you do. You did a good job of showing the tritium glow in your pic when you can't boost the lume with a UV flashlight.

I really like the look of this one except for the polished bracelet (which can be rectified), but that accuracy would annoy me, especially for a COSC movement, but considering it's a Jomashop deal, probably go ahead and get it adjusted.

[Ryeguy]

I like it. You're right in that a lot of time the gas tubes are too much on Balls, but the use of the small dots for the hour markers and thin tubes for the hands works on this one. Any lume shots?

I’ve heard mixed remarks about the brightness of these tritium tubes, but I actually find them more than adequate (especially for a design like this one where the tubes aren’t a focal point).

IMG_8591.jpeg

Here is a lume shot.

It isn’t a torch like some micros, but it is very adequate. I like the use of a different color at the 12 position for easily orientation.

A lot of people don't understand the way auto-luminescence works versus photo-luminescence, but obviously you do. You did a good job of showing the tritium glow in your pic when you can't boost the lume with a UV flashlight.

I really like the look of this one except for the polished bracelet (which can be rectified), but that accuracy would annoy me, especially for a COSC movement, but considering it's a Jomashop deal, probably go ahead and get it adjusted.

Yes, no UV flashlight boost needed. I just stepped into a dark room and snapped the photo. It'll glow like this for the next 10 or 15 years I guess.

As for the accuracy, while somewhat disappointing, I'm a Seiko guy so this is above my normal expectations.

I'm also timing this against the NIST time.gov website (which I hardly ever do- again, Seiko guy) and we are currently sitting at -42 seconds after 5 days.

Personally, I'd rather it be running a hair fast than a hair slow, but it is close enough that I'm not going to mess with it. As they say, "it's good enough for who it's for".

[gwells]

if you want to do timing, i tend to use an app called twixt. it takes a picture of your dial, let's you align the twixt hands over the hands on your watch dial, and then you can retest it every 24 hrs to track whether it's losing time or not. and it will save all the times you've done it under the name of that watch. that way it's just timing itself against itself, not trying to sync to a specific clock.

[hoppyjr]

I like it. You're right in that a lot of time the gas tubes are too much on Balls, but the use of the small dots for the hour markers and thin tubes for the hands works on this one. Any lume shots?

I’ve heard mixed remarks about the brightness of these tritium tubes, but I actually find them more than adequate (especially for a design like this one where the tubes aren’t a focal point).

IMG_8591.jpeg

Here is a lume shot.

It isn’t a torch like some micros, but it is very adequate. I like the use of a different color at the 12 position for easily orientation.

A lot of people don't understand the way auto-luminescence works versus photo-luminescence, but obviously you do. You did a good job of showing the tritium glow in your pic when you can't boost the lume with a UV flashlight.

I really like the look of this one except for the polished bracelet (which can be rectified), but that accuracy would annoy me, especially for a COSC movement, but considering it's a Jomashop deal, probably go ahead and get it adjusted.

^ This

[Ryeguy]

if you want to do timing, i tend to use an app called twixt. it takes a picture of your dial, let's you align the twixt hands over the hands on your watch dial, and then you can retest it every 24 hrs to track whether it's losing time or not. and it will save all the times you've done it under the name of that watch. that way it's just timing itself against itself, not trying to sync to a specific clock.

Thanks! I'll try this because my Ball remains 42 seconds slow even 7 days later. It doesn't seem to be changing at all day to day.

I am academically curious because it is advertised as a "chronometer" and the watch came with a certificate with a serialized movement in a serialized case.

With my Seiko's, if they within +/- 10s per day, I am happy (plus, I normally change watches a few times per week, so accuracy over X days isn't a concern).

[hoppyjr]

if you want to do timing, i tend to use an app called twixt. it takes a picture of your dial, let's you align the twixt hands over the hands on your watch dial, and then you can retest it every 24 hrs to track whether it's losing time or not. and it will save all the times you've done it under the name of that watch. that way it's just timing itself against itself, not trying to sync to a specific clock.

Thanks! I'll try this because my Ball remains 42 seconds slow even 7 days later. It doesn't seem to be changing at all day to day.

I am academically curious because it is advertised as a "chronometer" and the watch came with a certificate with a serialized movement in a serialized case.

With my Seiko's, if they within +/- 10s per day, I am happy (plus, I normally change watches a few times per week, so accuracy over X days isn't a concern).

If Joma’s warranty will cover it you could save a buck, but I wouldn’t trust them to do it right. Maybe send it down to Jack for an adjustment? Couldn’t cost much and he can dial them in really well.

[Wario406]

if you want to do timing, i tend to use an app called twixt. it takes a picture of your dial, let's you align the twixt hands over the hands on your watch dial, and then you can retest it every 24 hrs to track whether it's losing time or not. and it will save all the times you've done it under the name of that watch. that way it's just timing itself against itself, not trying to sync to a specific clock.

Thanks! I'll try this because my Ball remains 42 seconds slow even 7 days later. It doesn't seem to be changing at all day to day.

I am academically curious because it is advertised as a "chronometer" and the watch came with a certificate with a serialized movement in a serialized case.

With my Seiko's, if they within +/- 10s per day, I am happy (plus, I normally change watches a few times per week, so accuracy over X days isn't a concern).

Have you reset it since?

[Ryeguy]

if you want to do timing, i tend to use an app called twixt. it takes a picture of your dial, let's you align the twixt hands over the hands on your watch dial, and then you can retest it every 24 hrs to track whether it's losing time or not. and it will save all the times you've done it under the name of that watch. that way it's just timing itself against itself, not trying to sync to a specific clock.

Thanks! I'll try this because my Ball remains 42 seconds slow even 7 days later. It doesn't seem to be changing at all day to day.

I am academically curious because it is advertised as a "chronometer" and the watch came with a certificate with a serialized movement in a serialized case.

With my Seiko's, if they within +/- 10s per day, I am happy (plus, I normally change watches a few times per week, so accuracy over X days isn't a concern).

Have you reset it since?

No. Just set it the one time last week when I received it. Been wearing it daily since and tracking it against time.gov

It is 42s slow now after 7 days, but it was 42s slow yesterday too. It hasn't gained or lost really anything noticeable in 24 hours (and by noticeable I mean it is me looking at the digital read on my PC while comparing it to the analog dial of my watch - I could be off by a second or two).

It could be that when I originally set the watch it wasn't fully wound, so it ran a little slow until it gained power in the spring. Or maybe it just needed to warm up a bit after being stored in a Joma warehouse for who knows how long (although I did make sure this watch was a current Ball model before buying). Once the oil got warm the watch regained its expected level of accuracy.

In any event, it is still accurate to the minute against my PC clock after 7 days of wear. It is accurate enough for me for all practical purposes.

[Wario406]

if you want to do timing, i tend to use an app called twixt. it takes a picture of your dial, let's you align the twixt hands over the hands on your watch dial, and then you can retest it every 24 hrs to track whether it's losing time or not. and it will save all the times you've done it under the name of that watch. that way it's just timing itself against itself, not trying to sync to a specific clock.

Thanks! I'll try this because my Ball remains 42 seconds slow even 7 days later. It doesn't seem to be changing at all day to day.

I am academically curious because it is advertised as a "chronometer" and the watch came with a certificate with a serialized movement in a serialized case.

With my Seiko's, if they within +/- 10s per day, I am happy (plus, I normally change watches a few times per week, so accuracy over X days isn't a concern).

Have you reset it since?

No. Just set it the one time last week when I received it. Been wearing it daily since and tracking it against time.gov

It is 42s slow now after 7 days, but it was 42s slow yesterday too. It hasn't gained or lost really anything noticeable in 24 hours (and by noticeable I mean it is me looking at the digital read on my PC while comparing it to the analog dial of my watch - I could be off by a second or two).

It could be that when I originally set the watch it wasn't fully wound, so it ran a little slow until it gained power in the spring. Or maybe it just needed to warm up a bit after being stored in a Joma warehouse for who knows how long (although I did make sure this watch was a current Ball model before buying). Once the oil got warm the watch regained its expected level of accuracy.

In any event, it is still accurate to the minute against my PC clock after 7 days of wear. It is accurate enough for me for all practical purposes.

The “stored” story makes sense.

[AtomicTom]

Chris, it’s honestly like you picked up the Rolex when you think about
it, but with a supercharger on it ! And May I say too that the
bracelet looks like it has both polished, and brushed sections. So,it is
doubly as cool and beautiful in that way as well. ..It’s breathtaking in
your picture, but must be epically hypnotic in person. I mean from
the bracelet, to case it’s perfection imho, and really it ticks every
box the Rolex does. But in all truth, I feel it ticks more boxes to be
100% honest !

Just the dial alone is on a different level. Giving off multiple hues of
green, silver, and even gold, like epic horological fireworks ! And then
the lume continues the show in the dark. What a great get, as well
decision to go for this marvel Chris ! ..Thanks so very much for doing
the review, and a COLOSSAL congratulations on having this beauty !!!

[Lennox_N7]

well dude I never own a Ball watch, but Im a super fan of tritium watches.

the way I see it, this watch have very unique way of display. usually watch company like to put them horizontaly, to achive more exposure surface, through that for better brightness.

But on this watch, Ball decided to put it vertically, and hide half of in inside the dial, creating a 3d look and make it more elegant, and it makes the hands brighter than the markers, which is the way I like, serve the easy-to-read perpuse better this way.

Congratulations my friend!

[Ryeguy]

well dude I never own a Ball watch, but Im a super fan of tritium watches.

the way I see it, this watch have very unique way of display. usually watch company like to put them horizontaly, to achive more exposure surface, through that for better brightness.

But on this watch, Ball decided to put it vertically, and hide half of in inside the dial, creating a 3d look and make it more elegant, and it makes the hands brighter than the markers, which is the way I like, serve the easy-to-read perpuse better this way.

Congratulations my friend!

Thank you for the kind words, Dennis,

The more discreet, vertical placement of the tubes on this Ball watch was what actually attracted me to the design.

Ball has made the use of tritium tubes a design theme across nearly all of their watches. It is their thing.

Commonly, Ball will lay the tubes horizontally and use them to create the cardinal numbers or even spell out words on the dial.

This dial design is a bit more common


If you want to really get crazy with tritium tubes, Ball makes a model using a rainbow of colors that I think would look right at home on a few of our member’s wrists


For me, I like the use of tritium in the more understated way.

[Lennox_N7]

well dude I never own a Ball watch, but Im a super fan of tritium watches.

the way I see it, this watch have very unique way of display. usually watch company like to put them horizontaly, to achive more exposure surface, through that for better brightness.

But on this watch, Ball decided to put it vertically, and hide half of in inside the dial, creating a 3d look and make it more elegant, and it makes the hands brighter than the markers, which is the way I like, serve the easy-to-read perpuse better this way.

Congratulations my friend!

Thank you for the kind words, Dennis,

The more discreet, vertical placement of the tubes on this Ball watch was what actually attracted me to the design.

Ball has made the use of tritium tubes a design theme across nearly all of their watches. It is their thing.

Commonly, Ball will lay the tubes horizontally and use them to create the cardinal numbers or even spell out words on the dial.

This dial design is a bit more common


If you want to really get crazy with tritium tubes, Ball makes a model using a rainbow of colors that I think would look right at home on a few of our member’s wrists


For me, I like the use of tritium in the more understated way.

Yep dude, I totally agreed with ya, since you mentioned that you pick this watch for vertical placement of tritium tubes, now I can say I like your taste!

that Pepsi is not as common as you might think, yes the lay out is using 0.9mm diameter tubes in horizontal position, but mind the hands, they are using wide flat tubes on them, just like Capellini vs Fettucine in an Italian restraunt, still serves the goal of easy-to-read!

Talking about crazy, well my friend you meet the right guy, I been busy taking photos and editing them for the past 3 hours, am about to post something more crazier than a rainbow tritium watch today, just watch me