Hi,
I'm new to the forum and it seems like a really nice community on here.
I'm currently looking to add another watch to my collection. I was hoping to find something like a Submariner 16610LV but I personally think they go for too much and people on places like eBay just buy for the name so it keeps the prices high. They also seem to think it's a limited edition when in fact it's only a special edition.
Anyhow, when I was looking into alternatives, I came across Ball watches. They're much cheaper and sound very tough and functional but they have a very small presence in the UK.
I went to a local AD to try on an Engineer Master II World Time and liked it a LOT but they didn't have the right version for me to want to just buy there and then. They're a lot cheaper than the Rolex I wanted which is always a bonus so I wondered what perople's experiences of them are on here?
Thanks in advance :mrgreen:
I have had a couple of Balls, (yes, I know), and they are extremely impressive watches.
The Hydrocarbon Spacemaster I had made a Rolex feel like something out of a Christmas cracker - seriously. (With the exception of the Milgauss, which does feel like a Rolex should in my opinion).
So clever my foot fell off.
HiOriginally Posted by W44NNE
Ball watches make for an interesting breed. Initially I have short listed 2 watches: a Ball moonphase and a Fortis square. I then went to a local AD but the the Ball watch did not make it for me. And the Fortis is a bit of a rip off (at that price point I would expect more than an undecorated basic ETA in a case back porn window).
Ball owners are happy with their purchase and what I have read Ball custommer service seems to be top notch. However, Ball watches are in a different league than Rolex and you should carefully evaluate what you get value for money out of the deal.
By the way: there is a Ball authorized dealer on Princess Street here in Edinburgh. I like the Ball Telemeter in the shopping window, although it is way to thick at height of 16mm and 41mm diameter.
Captain Howdy's a big fan, and his photos of the lume on these things are stunning. I've looked at them in AD's several times - there's no question that they're well made. What puts me off are the overly fussy seconds hands and unecessarily clumsy crown guards. I think (and this is, of course, only my opinion) that like several women of my acquaintance, they look better in the dark.
Regards
Ian
Although no trees were harmed during the creation of this post, a large number of electrons were greatly inconvenienced.
If you like to buy your watches by the pound or the inch, it's a great brand. Light up like a christmas tree at night, too. Not subtle, though. Also, I found the bracelet on a Fireman rather cheap and sharp, like something from a Seiko 5 despite being solid-link all the way through. The divers were better in this respect, but I found the crowns very difficult to use, so I passed and went for something much simpler.
Never seen one in the wild, but I don't live in the US or SE Asia where they seem to be very popular.
...but what do I know; I don't even like watches!
For me, Ball watches stand up well against many other brands, I still have the SD shown below, together with several IWC dive watches and two Panerai Submersibles. I can say that if you can forget about the made up history of the brand, the watches themselves stack up very well.
I'm now on my seventh Ball watch, and each one has been very good, the latest arrivals are the Aviator and the new Magnate GMT, the feel on the wrist, together with the fit and finish of this watch is just about a match for anything.
Some of the range, I'm not keen on at all, so you will have to find the right one for you, but in terms of VFM, you get a lot of watch.
And the lume is fantastic :)
I have one Ball watch (one of the engineer hydrocarbon models) and would happily get another in the future. Build quality is excellent and it keeps time well within COSC specs. Obviously the lume is the big selling point, but they are well built solid watches in their own right. Some of their designs are a bit blingy and they can get carried away with the lume tubes sometimes, but they do have a lot of more subtle designs too.
regards,
Nick
bought mine on here. spacemaster hydrocarbon jobby. awesome build and quality, i flipped mine out of brand snobbery but it was stupid to do so! really great piece you need to be a lover of sturdy machinery but great at that price point
Only BaIl I've owned was this 40mm Fireman (no longer in production I believe). Excellent build quality and kept exceptional time:
great lume too:
For me it is the only point of them - and that's assuming you like 'blingy' coloured lume - many in their range are too akin to a Swatch appearance for my taste.
R
Ignorance breeds Fear. Fear breeds Hatred. Hatred breeds Ignorance. Break the chain.
I've got three and there's plenty more that I want. Beautifully built with some stunning designs and not your typical choice, all good reasons to love them.
Very nice built quality, and not to expensive.
So, if you like the designs............
Cheers,
Daddel.
Got a new watch, divers watch it is, had to drown the bastard to get it!
I've got an Engineer Master II Moonphase...nice watch,looks good and gets nice comments. Trouble is i don't wear it much.
Anyway..here's a picture (which could be better)
Thanks for all the replies... I lost the thread and have only just found it again.
I think for the price point, like others have said, they're very good watches. I know they have ETA movements but then again, so do a fair few more expensive watches so I'd be happy enough as long as it runs within COSC.
I just need to find the right one now... if anyone here decides to sell theirs then please get in touch :wink: :bigsmurf:
I have had 3 Ball watches and cannot speak highly enough of them. For the money they are very well made, great build build quality, excellent customer service ( I had a problem with the deployment clasp on my Moonlight Specila and they just sent a new one immediately ) and interesting designs.
It has to be said that I don't like all of their designs but if you can find one you like they are well worth getting.
If I hadn't fallen in love with Panerai and needed to free up as much cash as possible I would still have the Hydrocarbon GMT and would not have just sold my Moonphase! I am however keeping my Moonlight Special - great Ltd. Ed piece and one I have no intention of selling.
My advice - try some one ( the Hydrocarbons are very heavy ) and you will find one you like!
Here is my Moonphase ( soon to be leaving ) and my Moonlight Special
Regards
Mike
That one has an updated (I assume better-made) bracelet, with curvier links, to the one I looked at several years ago, way back when Selfridges was about the only European outlet for them and a Fireman cost under £400. (Happy days!)Only BaIl I've owned was this 40mm Fireman (no longer in production I believe). Excellent build quality and kept exceptional time:
...but what do I know; I don't even like watches!
£400?! If only we could go back to those days :shock:That one has an updated (I assume better-made) bracelet, with curvier links, to the one I looked at several years ago, way back when Selfridges was about the only European outlet for them and a Fireman cost under £400. (Happy days!)Only BaIl I've owned was this 40mm Fireman (no longer in production I believe). Excellent build quality and kept exceptional time:
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