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TARDIS · 28 April 2006, 03:18 PM

Anyone here own one of these?

I am wondering where they are manufactured AND how good they are. I have a family member who works a lot of night shifts. We are thinking of getting him one for his BD.

Steve

mailman · 28 April 2006, 07:17 PM

From what I've read, the tubes glow for many years. One thing that would concern me is the crown guard. It's awful big and I'm not sure how comfortable it is and how much it would dig into the wrist. They make a few models without it also.

padi56 · 28 April 2006, 10:02 PM

They make some pretty good watches with excellent lume quite good value for your money if you shop around,Movments are normaly the higher grade ETA and should give years of trouble free service.

28 April 2006, 10:24 PM

One of our members here, Pat, owns a Ball. He doesn't come here often but you can find him at our neighbour's house... www.wristwatchforums.com.

I can tell you that he is very pleased with his Ball watch and has recommended it to quite a few people in the two years I've known Pat. He's a stand up guy too.

TARDIS · 29 April 2006, 02:56 PM

Thanks guys.

maccars · 2 May 2006, 05:31 AM

John was very kind to PM me to let me know of your inquiry. He is also very kind with his comments.

I actually have that very watch with a white dial . . .

Engineer Hydrocarbon GMT Ⅱ

The current Ball Watch Co. collection is almost completely filled with real "tool" watches - this GMT especially so. It's a large, heavy watch (40 mm) with a stout S/S bracelet, and a very solid feeling case (14 mm thick). The movement is a modified ETA 2893-2. It's shock resistant to 7,500 G's (tested), and magnetic resistant to 12,000 A/m. Depth resistance is 900 ft.

Like I said - it's one tough watch.

The Ball Watch Co. began in 1891, at the hand of its founder, Webster Clay Ball. Ball was a time inspector for several railroads, who saw the need for a standard rail service watch which would stand up to the rigors of railroad time service (engineers, firemen, brakemen, conductors, agents, dispatchers, managers - anyone whom the company required to maintain accurate timekeeping).

Being a very entrepreneurial kind of guy, Ball established his watch company along with a service company to the railroads that set up a continent-wide time service, inspecting and maintaining railroaders' watches. He was also instrumental in setting up modern time standards for almost every railroad in North America.

Ball's watch company was unusual, in that it did not "make" any watches. Ball contracted with the major players of the day in railroad grade watch manufactury - Hamilton, Waltham, Elgin (and others) to provide completed movements which he then mounted into special cases with his own dials. The result was one of the most coveted watches of the time. Here's a good example:

Ball Watch Co., Cleveland, Ohio
Railroad Standard 16s Pocket Watch
(Waltham Movement)

These watches are even more coveted today because of the classic simplicity of the case and dial, and because of the unique nature of the Ball Watch Company itself.

Today's Ball Watch Co. does something that its predecessor never did - it manufactures watches. Very good watches made in Switzerland, which adhere to the quality and service standards set by Ball at the turn of the 20th century. Of course, the Ball family no longer owns the company, but Webb C. Ball's influence can be seen in every watch the company produces.

You would be hard pressed to find a tougher, sturdier watch in today's market. I heartily recommend this GMT to you. I wouldn't part with mine.

2 May 2006, 05:59 AM

Thanks for chiming in, Pat. You 'da man'.

mamas · 2 May 2006, 08:21 AM

interesting read Pat.. thank you

JJ Irani · 2 May 2006, 05:22 PM

GR8 post, Pat...many thanks!

padi56 · 2 May 2006, 06:22 PM

Great post Pat and agree fine value watches with quite a bit of history.

mailman · 2 May 2006, 07:05 PM

Thanks for the info Pat.

That pocket watch is a beauty

TARDIS · 2 May 2006, 09:41 PM

Terrific post

I might get one myself now!

Steve

Alan From New York · 7 May 2006, 08:58 PM

Originally, the Ball name was purchased by an Asian consortium, which made a few cheap watches with quartz movements. More recently, they sold the name (I don't know to whom) and the product is much nicer.

If you don't care much for the style, but appreciate the lume, Luminox makes mechanical watches at a somewhat lower price, as well as quartz watches that are downright cheap.

Gentleman8 · 21 May 2006, 11:14 AM

Is there a company that still makes pocket watches?

Alan From New York · 21 May 2006, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gentleman8

Is there a company that still makes pocket watches?

Off the top of my head, Tissot, Oris and IWC make pocket watches. No doubt, there are several more companies.

28 April 2006, 03:18 PM	#1
TARDIS "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Real Name: Steve Location: Queensland, AUST Posts: 2,003	Ball Watch Anyone here own one of these? I am wondering where they are manufactured AND how good they are. I have a family member who works a lot of night shifts. We are thinking of getting him one for his BD. Steve

28 April 2006, 10:02 PM	#3
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 53,062	They make some pretty good watches with excellent lume quite good value for your money if you shop around,Movments are normaly the higher grade ETA and should give years of trouble free service. __________________ ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder

2 May 2006, 05:22 PM	#9
JJ Irani Fondly Remembered Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: JJ Location: Auckland, NZ Watch: ALL SOLD!! Posts: 74,319	GR8 post, Pat...many thanks! __________________ Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!! I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!!

2 May 2006, 06:22 PM	#10
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 53,062	Great post Pat and agree fine value watches with quite a bit of history. __________________ ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder

21 May 2006, 11:14 AM	#14
Gentleman8 "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2006 Real Name: Steven Location: Canada Posts: 663	¿ New Pocket Watch ? Is there a company that still makes pocket watches?

28 April 2006, 07:17 PM	#2
mailman TRF Moderator & SubLV41 2024 Patron Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: . Watch: 126610LN Posts: 35,510	From what I've read, the tubes glow for many years. One thing that would concern me is the crown guard. It's awful big and I'm not sure how comfortable it is and how much it would dig into the wrist. They make a few models without it also.

28 April 2006, 10:24 PM	#4
Atomic Guest Posts: n/a	One of our members here, Pat, owns a Ball. He doesn't come here often but you can find him at our neighbour's house... www.wristwatchforums.com. I can tell you that he is very pleased with his Ball watch and has recommended it to quite a few people in the two years I've known Pat. He's a stand up guy too.

29 April 2006, 02:56 PM	#5
TARDIS "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Real Name: Steve Location: Queensland, AUST Posts: 2,003	Thanks guys.

2 May 2006, 05:31 AM	#6
maccars Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Jackson, MS Watch: Omega Railmaster Posts: 15	John was very kind to PM me to let me know of your inquiry. He is also very kind with his comments. I actually have that very watch with a white dial . . . Engineer Hydrocarbon GMT Ⅱ The current Ball Watch Co. collection is almost completely filled with real "tool" watches - this GMT especially so. It's a large, heavy watch (40 mm) with a stout S/S bracelet, and a very solid feeling case (14 mm thick). The movement is a modified ETA 2893-2. It's shock resistant to 7,500 G's (tested), and magnetic resistant to 12,000 A/m. Depth resistance is 900 ft. Like I said - it's one tough watch. The Ball Watch Co. began in 1891, at the hand of its founder, Webster Clay Ball. Ball was a time inspector for several railroads, who saw the need for a standard rail service watch which would stand up to the rigors of railroad time service (engineers, firemen, brakemen, conductors, agents, dispatchers, managers - anyone whom the company required to maintain accurate timekeeping). Being a very entrepreneurial kind of guy, Ball established his watch company along with a service company to the railroads that set up a continent-wide time service, inspecting and maintaining railroaders' watches. He was also instrumental in setting up modern time standards for almost every railroad in North America. Ball's watch company was unusual, in that it did not "make" any watches. Ball contracted with the major players of the day in railroad grade watch manufactury - Hamilton, Waltham, Elgin (and others) to provide completed movements which he then mounted into special cases with his own dials. The result was one of the most coveted watches of the time. Here's a good example: Ball Watch Co., Cleveland, Ohio Railroad Standard 16s Pocket Watch (Waltham Movement) These watches are even more coveted today because of the classic simplicity of the case and dial, and because of the unique nature of the Ball Watch Company itself. Today's Ball Watch Co. does something that its predecessor never did - it manufactures watches. Very good watches made in Switzerland, which adhere to the quality and service standards set by Ball at the turn of the 20th century. Of course, the Ball family no longer owns the company, but Webb C. Ball's influence can be seen in every watch the company produces. You would be hard pressed to find a tougher, sturdier watch in today's market. I heartily recommend this GMT to you. I wouldn't part with mine.

2 May 2006, 05:59 AM	#7
Atomic Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks for chiming in, Pat. You 'da man'.

2 May 2006, 08:21 AM	#8
mamas "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 792	interesting read Pat.. thank you

2 May 2006, 07:05 PM	#11
mailman TRF Moderator & SubLV41 2024 Patron Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: . Watch: 126610LN Posts: 35,510	Thanks for the info Pat. That pocket watch is a beauty

2 May 2006, 09:41 PM	#12
TARDIS "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Real Name: Steve Location: Queensland, AUST Posts: 2,003	Terrific post I might get one myself now! Steve

7 May 2006, 08:58 PM	#13
Alan From New York Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Real Name: Alan Location: Brooklyn, NY Watch: And Learn Posts: 335	Originally, the Ball name was purchased by an Asian consortium, which made a few cheap watches with quartz movements. More recently, they sold the name (I don't know to whom) and the product is much nicer. If you don't care much for the style, but appreciate the lume, Luminox makes mechanical watches at a somewhat lower price, as well as quartz watches that are downright cheap.

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