Their timepieces are renowned for their exceptional durability, precision, and groundbreaking technologies. One of their latest creations, the Ball Engineer Master II Ballistic Diver, is a testament to their unwavering commitment to crafting watches that can withstand the most extreme conditions. This exceptional timepiece seamlessly blends ruggedness, functionality, and sophisticated design, making it an ideal companion for both everyday adventures and daring underwater explorations.
The Ball Engineer Master II Ballistic Diver is a timepiece that embodies the spirit of adventure and resilience. Its robust construction, innovative features, and meticulous attention to detail make it a true testament to Ball Watch Company's unwavering commitment to excellence. Whether you're a seasoned diver or simply appreciate a watch that can handle the challenges of everyday life, the Ballistic Diver is a reliable and stylish companion that will serve you well for years to come.
Courtesy of Ball
Drawing inspiration from a remarkable real-life incident, the Ballistic Diver's story began in August 2023 when a police officer's Ball Engineer Master II Diver was struck by a 9mm bullet during a critical incident. While the impact shattered the watch's sapphire crystal and stainless steel case, the inner workings remained unscathed, thanks to Ball's patented Amortiser anti-shock system. This extraordinary event served as a testament to the exceptional durability and protective capabilities of Ball watches, inspiring the creation of the Ballistic Diver.
The Ballistic Diver's design is a harmonious blend of ruggedness and sophistication. Its 42mm stainless steel case strikes a perfect balance between robustness and wearability, making it suitable for a variety of wrist sizes. The black dial provides a striking contrast to the luminous hands and markers, ensuring optimal readability in any lighting condition. The watch's unidirectional rotating bezel, a crucial feature for divers, allows for precise tracking of elapsed time underwater.
One of the standout features of the Ballistic Diver is its exceptional luminosity. Ball is renowned for its innovative use of micro gas tubes (H3) to illuminate its watches, and the Ballistic Diver is no exception. These tiny vials of tritium gas are strategically placed on the hands, hour markers, and bezel, providing unparalleled visibility in low-light conditions. Unlike conventional luminescent materials that require external light sources to charge, H3 micro gas tubes emit a continuous glow, ensuring constant readability without the need for recharging.
Courtesy of Ball
The Ballistic Diver is equipped with a COSC-certified automatic movement, ensuring exceptional accuracy and reliability. The movement is housed within a robust case that provides water resistance up to 300 meters (1,000 feet), making it suitable for recreational diving. Additionally, the watch features a patented Amortiser anti-shock system that protects the movement from impacts, further enhancing its durability.
In addition to its technical prowess, the Ballistic Diver boasts a distinctive aesthetic that sets it apart from other dive watches. The combination of a black dial, luminous hands and markers, and a stainless steel case creates a timeless and versatile look that can be dressed up or down. The watch is available with a choice of a stainless steel bracelet or a rubber strap, allowing for customization to suit individual preferences.
The Ball Engineer Master II Ballistic Diver is more than just a timepiece; it's a symbol of resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to quality. Its rugged construction, advanced features, and captivating design make it a true testament to Ball Watch Company's legacy of crafting exceptional watches that can withstand the test of time. Whether you're an avid adventurer or simply appreciate a watch that can handle the rigors of everyday life, the Ballistic Diver is a reliable and stylish companion that will serve you well for years to come.
To truly appreciate the Ballistic Diver, it's essential to delve into its historical context. Ball Watch Company has a rich heritage that dates back to the late 19th century. Founded by Webb C. Ball in 1891, the company played a pivotal role in the development of accurate timekeeping standards for the American railroad system. Ball's commitment to precision and reliability quickly earned them a reputation for producing high-quality watches that could withstand the demanding conditions of railroad operations.
Courtesy of Ball
In the early days of American railroading, accurate timekeeping was crucial for preventing collisions and ensuring the smooth operation of train schedules. Following a series of tragic accidents caused by inaccurate timekeeping, Webb C. Ball was tasked with establishing a standardized timekeeping system for the railroads. Ball's system, which involved the use of highly accurate watches and synchronized clocks, significantly improved the safety and efficiency of train travel.
Ball's legacy of precision and durability extends to their modern-day creations, including the Ballistic Diver. The watch's COSC-certified movement, anti-shock system, and robust construction are a testament to the company's unwavering commitment to producing timepieces that can withstand the most challenging conditions.
The Ballistic Diver's design also pays homage to the company's rich history. The watch's classic dive watch aesthetic, with its unidirectional rotating bezel, luminous hands and markers, and stainless steel case, is reminiscent of the early dive watches that Ball produced for the U.S. Navy in the mid-20th century. These watches were renowned for their durability and reliability, and they played a crucial role in the Navy's underwater missions.
At the heart of the Ballistic Diver lies a high-performance automatic movement, meticulously crafted to deliver exceptional accuracy and reliability. The movement is chronometer-certified by the COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres), ensuring that it maintains a timekeeping accuracy of +/- 4 seconds per day. This level of precision is essential for divers who rely on their watches to accurately track their dive times.
Courtesy of Ball
The Ballistic Diver's movement is protected by Ball's patented Amortiser anti-shock system, which absorbs up to 5,000Gs of impact. This innovative technology ensures that the movement remains unaffected by even the most jarring shocks, safeguarding its accuracy and functionality.
The Ballistic Diver's case is crafted from high-grade stainless steel, renowned for its strength and durability. The case is meticulously machined and polished to perfection, resulting in a smooth, sleek finish that is both eye-catching and functional. The case back features a screw-down crown, which further enhances the watch's water resistance and protects the movement from dust and debris.
The Ballistic Diver boasts exceptional water resistance of up to 300 meters (1,000 feet), making it suitable for deep-sea diving and other water-related activities. The watch's sapphire crystal is also highly scratch-resistant, ensuring that the dial remains clear and legible even in harsh conditions. In addition to its water resistance, the Ballistic Diver is also highly anti-magnetic, with a resistance of up to 1,000 Gauss. This feature protects the movement from magnetic fields that can interfere with its accuracy.
One of the most distinctive features of the Ballistic Diver is its exceptional luminosity. Ball's proprietary micro gas tubes (H3) are strategically placed on the hands, hour markers, and bezel, ensuring that the watch is easily readable in even the darkest environments. Unlike traditional luminescent materials that require external light sources to charge, H3 micro gas tubes emit a continuous glow for up to 25 years, making the Ballistic Diver a reliable companion for any adventure.
Courtesy of Ball
The Ballistic Diver is a testament to the exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail that have become synonymous with Ball Watch Company. Each watch is meticulously assembled by hand, ensuring that every component is perfectly aligned and finished. The result is a timepiece that is not only functional but also a work of art.
This limited-edition timepiece is priced at US$2,599, but is currently being offered at a special pre-order price of US$2,199 until January 22nd, 2025. With only 1,000 pieces available, this exclusive watch is expected to be in high demand. Don't miss your chance to own a piece of horological history that combines rugged performance with refined design. The estimated delivery for the Ball Engineer Master II Ballistic Diver is between March and April 2025.
Case: Stainless steel case measuring 42mm in diameter with a thickness of 13.5mm. The lug-to-lug width is 50mm and it features a screw-down crown. Water resistance is rated at 300m/1000ft.
Movement: Automatic caliber BALL RR1101-C, COSC certified chronometer. Features the Amortiser® patented anti-shock system and a mu-metal shield for anti-magnetism up to 1,000 Gauss.
Dial: Black dial with 48 micro gas tubes on the hour, minute, and second hands, as well as the dial and inner bezel for night reading capability.
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet with folding buckle. Lug width is 21mm.
Price: US$2,599 (RRP) with a special pre-order price of US$2,199.
Notes: Limited edition of 1,000 pieces. Features a bi-directional rotating sapphire inner bezel with micro gas tubes. This watch was inspired by a real-life incident where a Ball watch stopped a 9mm bullet, protecting the wearer.