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anyone seen this new model from Ball? It's often been discussed 904L in reality doesnt offer that much benefit over 316L for what is mainly desk diving duties!
Shame as the watch looks nice but is only good for 200m.
https://gearpatrol.com/2019/08/11/ba...er-904l-watch/
It's not a diver's watch, so I don't see the lack of 200M+ WR being much of an issue...
M
Have to say I really like the look of that, nice splash of colour with the power reserve, just a shame for me that it is 'just' 40mm case size. Does anyone know offhand the longevity of the tritium (?) tubes?
Half-life = 12.3 years
Comes in blue and white too . Article from W&W on the new Ball Roadmaster icebreaker.
https://wornandwound.com/introducing...ainless-steel/
https://i.imgur.com/h8EXZGY.jpg
I really like the version without power reserve, will be on my list to try at some point.
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i like those, nice to see they don't have that fussy Ball logo second hand tail. Even so the branding on the dial is still a bit overstated, for me.
[QUOTE=raydin;5172237]anyone seen this new model from Ball? It's often been discussed 904L in reality doesnt offer that much benefit over 316L for what is mainly desk diving duties!
Shame as the watch looks nice but is only good for 200m.
https://gearpatrol.com/2019/08/11/ba...er-904l-watch/[/
I found the use of different steel interesting ,
You learn something new every day !
I've never had a 904L watch, my own Rolex predates that. Would be interested to hear if it's noticeably more scratch / ding resistant in practice?
OK so on reading this piece:
https://www.fourtane.com/2015/10/19/...ason-for-904l/
.. it's apparent that it's more about corrosion resistance than resistance to wear & tear. Seems an odd choice other than for a diver, to me. I've yet to notice a spot of corrosion on any of my steel watches.
Great news. Happy my watch will last a tad longer when I next immerse my arm in hydrochloric acid.
Previously never like Ball watches as their gas vial indices looked unrefined and clunky.
That new model really looks good, although I'd have to see a real photo rather than a dodgy render.
904 stainless is a nice upgrade even if of little real world use, although I've almost convinced myself it has a slightly different hue.
These are good looking watches with some good features for the cost. Apparently, you can pre order direct from Ball at a special discounted prices before launch. It is what their say in their FB adverts in any case.
Even if it was a diver 200m is plenty for any recreational diver who won’t really be going beyond 40m unless going Tech diving and even that will be well under the limit!
I've always thought it looks a bit warmer than 316L does, a bit closer to white gold. Not sure if that's true or not...Quote:
Originally Posted by MartC
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The case share and the power reserve reminds me of the North Flag.
https://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/n-arxsr...0.1200.JPG?c=2
Regarding the 904 steel:
- it has high nickel content and people like my wife are allergic to it.
I think it is more about copying Rolex than about looking at real merit as it isn't useful in any way.
Some might say: but it is more acid resistant.
True, but at the levels where it makes a difference, your watch probably isn't your primary concern.
Does it hang lower than your other ball ?
I’ll get my coat ......
More acid resistant at high temperatures. So fundamentally pointless. 904 is used because its shiny...the other stuff is BS.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bernard
Ask anyone with PCLs and they'll tell you that 904L is far from scratch resistant. I've been very careful with my blnr but you only have to look at it funny and it picks up a hairline. The clasp is full of hairlines even after only 9 months of light careful use.Quote:
Originally Posted by monogroover
Those Ball watches look nice!
I think it’s just marketing
I think I read somewhere that 904 is slightly softer than 316,that’s why 904 can be polished better to reach higher shiny-ness
Balls eh. I never scratched that itch
Main advantage is corrosion resistance according to this: http://www.atlassteels.com.au/docume...May%202008.pdf
Which isn't a real world issue with 316l steel.Quote:
Originally Posted by gerrudd
It is marketing BS.
Thanks for that. I went in to the local AD in Cheltenham today and had a look at the Skin Diver.....nice enough with 500m WR and those tritium tubes. Asked the guy and he said they were good for 25 years.....but he was also unaware of the 904L grade steel construction development (must have missed the memo). Any road, it was twice the price of my new Mido so I think I will pass!Quote:
Originally Posted by MakeColdplayHistory