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mike · 27 December 2011, 11:44 AM

As in Ball Hydrocarbon Ceramic. Man what a watch!!

This was one I'd been looking at for a long time and as luck would have it the great people at Topper's Jewlers came through for me.

Special kudos to Mayling at Toppers. What a real pleasure to have someone so nice and knowledgeable to work with.

No only did she she find a very special watch for me, but made sure the timekeeping was spot on before it was sent.

Let's take a look at a reference that if you are a Ball enthusiast has to be on your short list.

Ball's attempt to use a ceramic insert as opposed to the traditional steel just looks fantastic.

Ball chose to polish the sides of the case which gives a great contrat between the brushed lugs.

At 42MMs and with Ball's blending of the lugs the watch just sits perfectly on the wrist.

Of course readability in less than ideal conditions has always been a strong suit with Ball dur to the use of tritium gas vials, but the enhanced application of superluminova on the ceramic bezel gives the watch enhanced usability not found other divers at a much hight price point.

One needs to take notice that the darker the surroundings the more the tritium vials play a part in readability and, of course, they're always on.

I have to admit I've fallen hard for the Ball brand. At it's price point Ball gives the user incredible value and workmanship found on watch at miltiples of it's price.

theken · 27 December 2011, 11:53 AM

Excellent choice, Mike.

I am also a big fan of the Ball watches.
They are a fantastic value for the $$$$.
Looking forward to seeing you in 2012, buddy.

Art 1 · 27 December 2011, 12:17 PM

Good one, congrats.

Yoda · 27 December 2011, 01:03 PM

That's a beast of a watch, nice.

Dickson Lim · 27 December 2011, 04:37 PM

Ball watch is really unbeatable at its price point. Congratulations Mike, it looks superb on your wrist.

clarencek · 27 December 2011, 04:41 PM

Wow - congrats! Some times I wish I would have waited for the XV, but I pulled the trigger on this one a few weeks ago.

It's amazing Ti and wears amazingly well for 18mm in height.
Congrats and I'm a Ball convert myself. :-)

johnbeth · 27 December 2011, 04:41 PM

Looks great! Congrats and Enjoy!

mike · 27 December 2011, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarencek

Wow - congrats! Some times I wish I would have waited for the XV, but I pulled the trigger on this one a few weeks ago.

It's amazing Ti and wears amazingly well for 18mm in height.
Congrats and I'm a Ball convert myself. :-)

The Deepquest is a stunning reference. Nice score and it looks great!

HL65 · 28 December 2011, 12:27 AM

Very nice Mike and a great write up and pics as well!! I hope I get to meet up with you and Mark and Ohio crew this coming year as well! Happy New Year my friend!

theken · 28 December 2011, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Very nice Mike and a great write up and pics as well!! I hope I get to meet up with you and Mark and Ohio crew this coming year as well! Happy New Year my friend!

For the last 2 years, we held a GTG in Northern Kentucky to coincide with the World Wide Traders show at the Drawbridge Inn in Ft. Mitchell.
This year the show will be on Wednesday, April 11.
Most likely we will meet for dinner Tuesday night at the Montgomery Inn and for a late lunch after attending the watch show on Wednesday.
I will encourage Dan Pierce to post an announcement in The Meeting Point section.
We hope to see you there.

Dan Pierce · 29 December 2011, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Very nice Mike and a great write up and pics as well!! I hope I get to meet up with you and Mark and Ohio crew this coming year as well! Happy New Year my friend!

Quote:

Originally Posted by theken

For the last 2 years, we held a GTG in Northern Kentucky to coincide with the World Wide Traders show at the Drawbridge Inn in Ft. Mitchell.
This year the show will be on Wednesday, April 11.
Most likely we will meet for dinner Tuesday night at the Montgomery Inn and for a late lunch after attending the watch show on Wednesday.
I will encourage Dan Pierce to post an announcement in The Meeting Point section.
We hope to see you there.

Ken, that would be great!!

Think you can make the WWT Show April 11th?

Mark, thanks for the heads up. Yes, I like the schedule you've outlined.

Mike, Sorry for the hijack.

But hopefully we can checkout the ceramic Ball at the April GTG.

dP

WatchTimes · 29 December 2011, 12:16 AM

I think that will be my next Ball!!
Looks GREAT!

kilyung · 29 December 2011, 12:57 AM

Balls a nice brand with a great tradition/history. I'd definitely pick one up but maybe something a little smaller.

HL65 · 29 December 2011, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theken

For the last 2 years, we held a GTG in Northern Kentucky to coincide with the World Wide Traders show at the Drawbridge Inn in Ft. Mitchell.
This year the show will be on Wednesday, April 11.
Most likely we will meet for dinner Tuesday night at the Montgomery Inn and for a late lunch after attending the watch show on Wednesday.
I will encourage Dan Pierce to post an announcement in The Meeting Point section.
We hope to see you there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Ken, that would be great!!

Think you can make the WWT Show April 11th?

Mark, thanks for the heads up. Yes, I like the schedule you've outlined.

Mike, Sorry for the hijack.

But hopefully we can checkout the ceramic Ball at the April GTG.

dP

This might be the year! Would certainly love to meet up with you guys!!

Mosco · 29 December 2011, 01:12 AM

Mike, that's one sexy beast, mate. And the watch is nice too

Ken, if you make it to one of out NKY GTG's, ans the kids say nowadays, "it's on". Give yer kidneys a rest for a week or two leading up, just sayin'.

HL65 · 29 December 2011, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mosco

Mike, that's one sexy beast, mate. And the watch is nice too

Ken, if you make it to one of out NKY GTG's, ans the kids say nowadays, "it's on". Give yer kidneys a rest for a week or two leading up, just sayin'.

Greg- Would be great to see you too my friend!!

Dan Pierce · 29 December 2011, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mosco

Mike, that's one sexy beast, mate. And the watch is nice too

Ken, if you make it to one of out NKY GTG's, ans the kids say nowadays, "it's on". Give yer kidneys a rest for a week or two leading up, just sayin'.

For medicinal purposes only.

dP

mike · 29 December 2011, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Ken, that would be great!!

Think you can make the WWT Show April 11th?

Mark, thanks for the heads up. Yes, I like the schedule you've outlined.

Mike, Sorry for the hijack.

But hopefully we can checkout the ceramic Ball at the April GTG.

dP

I'll have it and maybe some friends there.

dddrees · 29 December 2011, 04:48 AM

Great looking watch Mike, the lume on that watch looks real neat.

kingblackbolt · 29 December 2011, 11:23 PM

Hey Mike long time no see... Saw your post and I'm really impressed with this watch! I didn't know that Ball even had a ceramic bezeled model. I've yet to own a Ball Watch but this would be the top of my list.

I just picked up a Grand Seiko GMT Diver with lumed bezel and I really like the addition of it. Makes the lume much more effective IMHO.

All this GTG talk is making me want to take a road trip :)

mike · 29 December 2011, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingblackbolt

Hey Mike long time no see... Saw your post and I'm really impressed with this watch! I didn't know that Ball even had a ceramic bezeled model. I've yet to own a Ball Watch but this would be the top of my list.

I just picked up a Grand Seiko GMT Diver with lumed bezel and I really like the addition of it. Makes the lume much more effective IMHO.

All this GTG talk is making me want to take a road trip :)

Hey Ren,

Great to here from you pal.

Nice score on the Seiko, man what a reference.

Seiko, Ball, Omega, BP, and others using luminova on the bezels are giving these watches a whole new relam of usability.

theken · 30 December 2011, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingblackbolt

All this GTG talk is making me want to take a road trip :)

Hey Ren..be there, my friend.
Sorry about hijacking your great thread, Mike, but all these guys, me included, want to see your ceramic Ball...very cool pick up on your part.

This was the first I learned of it as well. I called Mayling yesterday for a price for VX and also for the Deep Quest.

MrJ320 · 30 December 2011, 01:11 AM

Great looking watch! I like the lume on the bezel

warren G. · 31 December 2011, 02:25 AM

Stellar watch and wow the lume looks great!

kingblackbolt · 31 December 2011, 07:07 AM

Thanks Mike good to chat with you again big guy! I haven't been here as much as I'm out of Rolex for a while now but I'll check this forum out more often :) I'm going to post about my Seiko here soon. Thank you for the kudos I'm really enjoying my Grand Seiko and really think this is the perfect watch for me...

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike

Hey Ren,

Great to here from you pal.

Nice score on the Seiko, man what a reference.

Seiko, Ball, Omega, BP, and others using luminova on the bezels are giving these watches a whole new relam of usability.

kingblackbolt · 31 December 2011, 07:09 AM

Do you have a comfortable couch I can crash on Mark? Drinks on me :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by theken

Hey Ren..be there, my friend.
Sorry about hijacking your great thread, Mike, but all these guys, me included, want to see your ceramic Ball...very cool pick up on your part.

This was the first I learned of it as well. I called Mayling yesterday for a price for VX and also for the Deep Quest.

vukotab · 1 January 2012, 09:18 PM

That Ball looks fantastic, a true tool watch, but one that goes well with anything! Congrats, Mike, awesome piece!

27 December 2011, 11:44 AM	#1
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	Ceramic As in Ball Hydrocarbon Ceramic. Man what a watch!! This was one I'd been looking at for a long time and as luck would have it the great people at Topper's Jewlers came through for me. Special kudos to Mayling at Toppers. What a real pleasure to have someone so nice and knowledgeable to work with. No only did she she find a very special watch for me, but made sure the timekeeping was spot on before it was sent. Let's take a look at a reference that if you are a Ball enthusiast has to be on your short list. Ball's attempt to use a ceramic insert as opposed to the traditional steel just looks fantastic. Ball chose to polish the sides of the case which gives a great contrat between the brushed lugs. At 42MMs and with Ball's blending of the lugs the watch just sits perfectly on the wrist. Of course readability in less than ideal conditions has always been a strong suit with Ball dur to the use of tritium gas vials, but the enhanced application of superluminova on the ceramic bezel gives the watch enhanced usability not found other divers at a much hight price point. One needs to take notice that the darker the surroundings the more the tritium vials play a part in readability and, of course, they're always on. I have to admit I've fallen hard for the Ball brand. At it's price point Ball gives the user incredible value and workmanship found on watch at miltiples of it's price.

27 December 2011, 11:53 AM	#2
theken "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA Watch: GMT-Master II Posts: 3,417	Very nice. Excellent choice, Mike. I am also a big fan of the Ball watches. They are a fantastic value for the $$$$. Looking forward to seeing you in 2012, buddy.

27 December 2011, 04:37 PM	#5
Dickson Lim "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: planet Posts: 1,517	Ball watch is really unbeatable at its price point. Congratulations Mike, it looks superb on your wrist. __________________ Dream the impossible, and make it possible!

27 December 2011, 04:41 PM	#6
clarencek "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New York Posts: 400	Wow - congrats! Some times I wish I would have waited for the XV, but I pulled the trigger on this one a few weeks ago. It's amazing Ti and wears amazingly well for 18mm in height. Congrats and I'm a Ball convert myself. :-) __________________ Citizen AQ4020-54X, NB6005-05L, NB6006-02X, Casio GMW-B5000TFC, MRG-B5000B, MTG-B1000XB, Hamilton Field Khaki H70605731, IWC IW356501, IWC387902, Longines Spirit L3.810.4.93.0, MKII PMWF Graywater GMT, Project 300, Omega 210.92.42.20.01.001, 304.33.44.52.03.001, Rolex 116400GV, 116520, 116610LV, 126600, 326933, Seiko SBGA001, SLA019, Sinn U1-ST

28 December 2011, 12:27 AM	#9
HL65 TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Ken Location: SW Florida Watch: One on my wrist. Posts: 63,490	Very nice Mike and a great write up and pics as well!! I hope I get to meet up with you and Mark and Ohio crew this coming year as well! Happy New Year my friend! __________________ *SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT*

27 December 2011, 12:17 PM	#3
Art 1 Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Florida, Canada Watch: Rol/Seik/Tud/Omega Posts: 30,244	Good one, congrats.

27 December 2011, 01:03 PM	#4
Yoda Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: London Watch: PP AP RM Posts: 794	That's a beast of a watch, nice.

27 December 2011, 04:41 PM	#7
johnbeth "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: John Location: Australia Watch: Depends on mood. Posts: 9,536	Looks great! Congrats and Enjoy!

29 December 2011, 12:16 AM	#12
WatchTimes 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Real Name: JYogi/Jeremy Location: Metro Detroit USA Watch: It's a Rolex! Posts: 5,547	I think that will be my next Ball!! Looks GREAT! __________________ "You won't rise to the occasion - you'll default to your level of training." Barrett Tillman Kentucky Colonel, Tennessee Squire & Combat Leprechaun

29 December 2011, 12:57 AM	#13
kilyung 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cave Watch: Sundial Posts: 33,873	Balls a nice brand with a great tradition/history. I'd definitely pick one up but maybe something a little smaller.

29 December 2011, 01:12 AM	#15
Mosco "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Greg Location: Cincinnati Watch: I like to... Posts: 18,567	Mike, that's one sexy beast, mate. And the watch is nice too Ken, if you make it to one of out NKY GTG's, ans the kids say nowadays, "it's on". Give yer kidneys a rest for a week or two leading up, just sayin'. __________________ Instagram - @CaliberSwiss *“A man who procrastinates in his choosing will inevitably have his choice made for him by circumstance.” - Hunter S. Thompson*

29 December 2011, 04:48 AM	#19
dddrees "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2010 Real Name: Dan Location: USA Watch: This N That Posts: 34,251	Great looking watch Mike, the lume on that watch looks real neat. __________________ When it captures your imagination, that's when you know you have found your passion. Loyal Foot Soldier of The Nylon Nation. Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons

29 December 2011, 11:23 PM	#20
kingblackbolt "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Real Name: Ren Location: Toronto On Canada Posts: 1,886	Hey Mike long time no see... Saw your post and I'm really impressed with this watch! I didn't know that Ball even had a ceramic bezeled model. I've yet to own a Ball Watch but this would be the top of my list. I just picked up a Grand Seiko GMT Diver with lumed bezel and I really like the addition of it. Makes the lume much more effective IMHO. All this GTG talk is making me want to take a road trip :) __________________ “Hail to the king, baby" Ash (Army of Darkness 1992)

30 December 2011, 01:11 AM	#23
MrJ320 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Real Name: James Location: Toronto Watch: IG: @j.project Posts: 2,194	Great looking watch! I like the lume on the bezel

31 December 2011, 02:25 AM	#24
warren G. "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Duy Location: New Orleans, LA Watch: Speedmaster 3861 Posts: 1,925	Stellar watch and wow the lume looks great! __________________ De gustibus non est disputandum.

1 January 2012, 09:18 PM	#27
vukotab "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Real Name: Vukota Brajovi Location: Belgrade,Serbia Watch: ing movies! Posts: 3,812	That Ball looks fantastic, a true tool watch, but one that goes well with anything! Congrats, Mike, awesome piece!

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