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derklink · 14 June 2019, 04:43 AM

Just came across this via facebook:

https://shop.ballwatch.ch/en/mgmt

Interesting concept (but not my cup of tea). Anyone know about this brand and the quality etc. Just curious...

wantonebad · 14 June 2019, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derklink

Just came across this via facebook:

https://shop.ballwatch.ch/en/mgmt

Interesting concept (but not my cup of tea). Anyone know about this brand and the quality etc. Just curious...

Ball watches are a well established brand have been around for many years, their claim to fame were railroad time pieces and they make very good watches.

Yk101 · 14 June 2019, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Ball watches are a well established brand have been around for many years, their claim to fame were railroad time pieces and they make very good watches.

I would add “using tritium tubes” to that! Ball is one of a few manufacturers that uses super bright tritium tubes instead of luminova.

superdog · 14 June 2019, 05:05 AM

Never heard of em.

Blansky · 14 June 2019, 05:13 AM

As has been said they were one of the big name American watch brands in the pocket watch era, and specialized in railroad watches. Due to the "keeping the trains running on time" mentality of the day, any brand that was considered a Railroad watch had to keep very good time.

It's currently owned by a Chinese company.

JParm · 14 June 2019, 05:17 AM

My Ball watch; a Christmas gift from my wife a couple years back and my only bronze watch.

Has grown some nice patina, and I love having my navy pilot wings on the dial.

SearChart · 14 June 2019, 05:18 AM

Yep, they make a pretty good watch for the money.

RW16610 · 14 June 2019, 05:21 AM

I discovered them many years back on another forum. It's a decent brand that seems to make very good quality pieces.

Jim Smyth · 14 June 2019, 05:52 AM

Been intrigued with them for a while. Love the idea of not needing light at night to read the time. One of these days....

swils8610 · 14 June 2019, 06:18 AM

They are nice watches. The tritium tubes light up well in darkness.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Mad Hatter · 14 June 2019, 08:54 AM

I have one that's about 16 years old now, a Fireman. It's awesome, I beat the crap out of it with no problem, the tritium tubes are fabulous and it's just a great value proposition. Love them even though a few of them are odd looking. Well made for sure.

77T · 14 June 2019, 11:28 AM

I’ve had a couple and they never disappointed. The only issue I had is their policy against selling parts to indie watchmakers.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Slider817 · 14 June 2019, 01:10 PM

Love Ball watches, great quality for the price and it’s really nice to have the Tritium.

rolehex · 14 June 2019, 03:55 PM

Sure do, Below is the link to the one I own in blue. (Fireman Victory) It's my movie night watch because of the glowing lume tubes. Nice watch for the money. PM me if you need the contact of a good discount AD.

https://www.ballwatch.com/global/en/...-be---521.html

1William · 14 June 2019, 09:39 PM

Great watch for the price point. I have never owned one but have been close a couple of times. If the right one came along in the pre-owned market I would be a buyer.

dtwer · 15 June 2019, 12:11 AM

Love the tritium tubes idea; from a practical standpoint it's many folds better than the luminova IMO. I just wish they didn't do the "imitation BLRO" bezel.

Mad Hatter · 15 June 2019, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rolehex

Sure do, Below is the link to the one I own in blue. (Fireman Victory) It's my movie night watch because of the glowing lume tubes. Nice watch for the money. PM me if you need the contact of a good discount AD.

https://www.ballwatch.com/global/en/...-be---521.html

Ha! I very specifically think of my Ball watch as my movie watch!

ap1 · 15 June 2019, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superdog

Never heard of em.

Naples09 · 15 June 2019, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derklink

Just came across this via facebook:

https://shop.ballwatch.ch/en/mgmt

Interesting concept (but not my cup of tea). Anyone know about this brand and the quality etc. Just curious...

Yes..have heard of them. Nice watches.

chro.nic · 16 June 2019, 11:33 PM

They were commissioned to create accurate timepieces for the railroad. In fact they did such a good job, that the expression

"Get on the Ball"

refers to them and their accuracy!!
I believe they were initially formed in Cleveland.

Nicolas

DLRIDES · 17 June 2019, 07:32 AM

That’s a good looking watch !

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpeezy14@hotmail.com

My Ball watch; a Christmas gift from my wife a couple years back and my only bronze watch.

Has grown some nice patina, and I love having my navy pilot wings on the dial.

brianb95 · 18 June 2019, 01:00 PM

Never heard of these before. I have a feeling they will start to grow on me though.

tsquared · 21 June 2019, 08:26 AM

the ball watches with the sapphire caseback and adjustable anti-magnetic iris is really cool! definitely technically very unique and a great solution for anti-magnetism with an open caseback, something to check out perhaps.

konkret · 25 June 2019, 09:37 PM

How do you like the upcoming Roadmaster Marine GMT?

https://shop.ballwatch.ch/en/rmgmt?f...i2WgT90UgaMGag

Andad · 25 June 2019, 09:59 PM

The Tritium tubes are excellent.

tjs00 · 27 June 2019, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by konkret

How do you like the upcoming Roadmaster Marine GMT?

https://shop.ballwatch.ch/en/rmgmt?f...i2WgT90UgaMGag

I would have but I already have another Ball on order from a few months ago, supposed to deliver in July. Plus I have another GMT in mind (not Rolex).

antbkny · 27 June 2019, 02:41 AM

Terrible name

toxicavenger · 27 June 2019, 04:23 AM

Tons of history with this brand. Unfortunately they do not get any forum love.

BALL Watch Company SA is an American watch company based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. It was founded in 1891 by Webb C. Ball in Cleveland, Ohio, and is linked to American railroad history. The brand is currently owned by Hong Kong group Asia Commercial Holdings Ltd.

antbkny · 27 June 2019, 06:42 AM

Hey, check out my ball collection! Who wants to see my balls!?!

contrerasjmd · 26 May 2020, 03:46 AM

I had...underline HAD an EHC Black rock. It Really did not live up to the name. It stopped working about 1 year into ownership right after it stopped hacking. In addition, the crown protector mechanism stopped working properly as part of it became unattached and even when it was intact it would come undone on its own accidentally. I would not recommend that particular watch or any watch with that crown guard. On the plus side...the ceramic bezel was cool, but the feel on the bezel was cheap. The lume on the bezel was not up to par with Omega, Rolex or Seiko (of which I own all). The tritium is cool...but that's about it. Definitely not a rock and I was dissappointed. Granted it can be picked up cheap, but I would much rather my skx.
I do own The Fireman from Ball. I like it better.

14 June 2019, 04:43 AM	#1
derklink "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Location Location Watch: amacallit Posts: 573	Anyone ever hear of "Ball" Watches? Just came across this via facebook: https://shop.ballwatch.ch/en/mgmt Interesting concept (but not my cup of tea). Anyone know about this brand and the quality etc. Just curious...

14 June 2019, 05:05 AM	#4
superdog 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Real Name: Seth Location: nj Watch: Omega Posts: 24,699	Never heard of em. __________________ If happiness is a state of mind, why look anywhere else for it? IG: gsmotorclub IG: thesawcollection (Both mostly just car stuff)

14 June 2019, 05:17 AM	#6
JParm 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NorCal Watch: Yes! Posts: 6,556	My Ball watch; a Christmas gift from my wife a couple years back and my only bronze watch. Has grown some nice patina, and I love having my navy pilot wings on the dial. __________________

14 June 2019, 06:18 AM	#10
swils8610 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Real Name: shannon Location: usa Posts: 8,993	Anyone ever hear of "Ball" Watches? They are nice watches. The tritium tubes light up well in darkness. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

14 June 2019, 11:28 AM	#12
77T 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: PaulG Location: Georgia Posts: 40,736	I’ve had a couple and they never disappointed. The only issue I had is their policy against selling parts to indie watchmakers. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro __________________ Does anyone really know what time it is?

14 June 2019, 05:13 AM	#5
Blansky 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: swmnpoolsmovie* Posts: 9,097	As has been said they were one of the big name American watch brands in the pocket watch era, and specialized in railroad watches. Due to the "keeping the trains running on time" mentality of the day, any brand that was considered a Railroad watch had to keep very good time. It's currently owned by a Chinese company.

14 June 2019, 05:21 AM	#8
RW16610 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: Rommel Location: Toronto Canada Watch: 116710LN Posts: 8,973	I discovered them many years back on another forum. It's a decent brand that seems to make very good quality pieces.

14 June 2019, 05:52 AM	#9
Jim Smyth Banned Join Date: Nov 2013 Real Name: Jim Smyth Location: Florida Watch: DD Posts: 1,842	Been intrigued with them for a while. Love the idea of not needing light at night to read the time. One of these days....

14 June 2019, 08:54 AM	#11
Mad Hatter "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 268	I have one that's about 16 years old now, a Fireman. It's awesome, I beat the crap out of it with no problem, the tritium tubes are fabulous and it's just a great value proposition. Love them even though a few of them are odd looking. Well made for sure.

14 June 2019, 01:10 PM	#13
Slider817 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Real Name: William Location: New York Watch: Journe, AP & Lange Posts: 868	Love Ball watches, great quality for the price and it’s really nice to have the Tritium.

14 June 2019, 03:55 PM	#14
rolehex 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA Posts: 1,438	Sure do, Below is the link to the one I own in blue. (Fireman Victory) It's my movie night watch because of the glowing lume tubes. Nice watch for the money. PM me if you need the contact of a good discount AD. https://www.ballwatch.com/global/en/...-be---521.html

14 June 2019, 09:39 PM	#15
1William 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: North Carolina Watch: Rolex/Others Posts: 44,758	Great watch for the price point. I have never owned one but have been close a couple of times. If the right one came along in the pre-owned market I would be a buyer.

15 June 2019, 12:11 AM	#16
dtwer "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: midwest Watch: DJ 41 Posts: 1,475	Love the tritium tubes idea; from a practical standpoint it's many folds better than the luminova IMO. I just wish they didn't do the "imitation BLRO" bezel.

16 June 2019, 11:33 PM	#20
chro.nic "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Real Name: .nic Location: Toronto Posts: 377	They were commissioned to create accurate timepieces for the railroad. In fact they did such a good job, that the expression "Get on the Ball" refers to them and their accuracy!! I believe they were initially formed in Cleveland. Nicolas

18 June 2019, 01:00 PM	#22
brianb95 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Chicago, IL Watch: Omega Planet Ocean Posts: 31	Never heard of these before. I have a feeling they will start to grow on me though.

21 June 2019, 08:26 AM	#23
tsquared "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: USA Posts: 30	the ball watches with the sapphire caseback and adjustable anti-magnetic iris is really cool! definitely technically very unique and a great solution for anti-magnetism with an open caseback, something to check out perhaps.

25 June 2019, 09:37 PM	#24
konkret "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: WAW, PL Posts: 24	How do you like the upcoming Roadmaster Marine GMT? https://shop.ballwatch.ch/en/rmgmt?f...i2WgT90UgaMGag

27 June 2019, 02:41 AM	#27
antbkny "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Real Name: Anthony Location: Brooklyn, NY Watch: Dblue Posts: 6,723	Terrible name

27 June 2019, 04:23 AM	#28
toxicavenger "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Colorado Springs Watch: Seiko's Posts: 2,563	Tons of history with this brand. Unfortunately they do not get any forum love. BALL Watch Company SA is an American watch company based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. It was founded in 1891 by Webb C. Ball in Cleveland, Ohio, and is linked to American railroad history. The brand is currently owned by Hong Kong group Asia Commercial Holdings Ltd.

27 June 2019, 06:42 AM	#29
antbkny "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Real Name: Anthony Location: Brooklyn, NY Watch: Dblue Posts: 6,723	Hey, check out my ball collection! Who wants to see my balls!?!

26 May 2020, 03:46 AM	#30
contrerasjmd "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Metairie Posts: 1	Ball Watches I had...underline HAD an EHC Black rock. It Really did not live up to the name. It stopped working about 1 year into ownership right after it stopped hacking. In addition, the crown protector mechanism stopped working properly as part of it became unattached and even when it was intact it would come undone on its own accidentally. I would not recommend that particular watch or any watch with that crown guard. On the plus side...the ceramic bezel was cool, but the feel on the bezel was cheap. The lume on the bezel was not up to par with Omega, Rolex or Seiko (of which I own all). The tritium is cool...but that's about it. Definitely not a rock and I was dissappointed. Granted it can be picked up cheap, but I would much rather my skx. I do own The Fireman from Ball. I like it better.

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