Ball Watches...

[richmondesi]

Seem pretty interesting. I heard a tale that the phrase "on the Ball" was a reference to the accuracy of railroad watches of which Mr. Ball was responsible for establishing standards. The most consistent explanation of that phrase on the net that I saw was that it originated with discussions about Pitchers in baseball, but the explanations really seemed like a reach.

Either way, I'm looking for a nice watch, and I've been contemplating a Breitling but open to lesser known gems.

Thoughts?

 

[richmondesi]

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/on-the-ball.html

Thanks, but I'm really interested in info on the watches. I ran across that link in my research as well, and it didn't seem any more "definitive" than the others that I shrugged off. However, the origin of the phrase is of much less interest than the watches for me.

 

[MichaelG]

The current Ball watches have no direct link to the old Ball railroad watches. Having said that, they have a good reputation and a following on the watch discussion boards. They make nice watches with great luminosity. Have you checked out Timezone.com ? - they have a Ball discussion forum.

As for other brands in a similar price range, I'd say look at Sinn. They have a strong history as well - mostly with pilot/military watches. They're a fairly unknown brand outside of the watch aficionado community. They're very robust watches with good reputation for quality.

My favorite brand is Panerai. They have a very strong tradition that goes back to the dive watches and other instruments made for the Italian navy. They're not for everyone, since they're oversized, but they have a strong, almost cult-like following, among some watch nuts.

Seem pretty interesting. I heard a tale that the phrase "on the Ball" was a reference to the accuracy of railroad watches of which Mr. Ball was responsible for establishing standards. The most consistent explanation of that phrase on the net that I saw was that it originated with discussions about Pitchers in baseball, but the explanations really seemed like a reach.

Either way, I'm looking for a nice watch, and I've been contemplating a Breitling but open to lesser known gems.

Thoughts?

 

[richmondesi]

The current Ball watches have no direct link to the old Ball railroad watches. Having said that, they have a good reputation and a following on the watch discussion boards. They make nice watches with great luminosity. Have you checked out Timezone.com ? - they have a Ball discussion forum.

As for other brands in a similar price range, I'd say look at Sinn. They have a strong history as well - mostly with pilot/military watches. They're a fairly unknown brand outside of the watch aficionado community. They're very robust watches with good reputation for quality.

Very cool. Thanks. What do you mean by "no direct link"? I know it's not the same, but did Webb Ball start the company?

 

[richmondesi]

Also, thanks for the pointer for the watch forum, but to be perfectly honest, I don't want another forum (3 active ones are enough) because I'm not sure I could control myself (and I know I can't afford getting into much in the way of watch collecting

 

[MichaelG]

Also, thanks for the pointer for the watch forum, but to be perfectly honest, I don't want another forum (3 active ones are enough) because I'm not sure I could control myself (and I know I can't afford getting into much in the way of watch collecting

 

[Johnny Dale]

My Dad was a railroad engineer and has a Ball wrist watch he bought in the 70's. He has his grand-dads Ball pocket watch his father gave him. I would love to have it someday but I would rather keep the old man around. He's in his 80's and still hanging tough.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Paul,

I was a member of Timezone for a couple of years before joining B&B (not active now....I spend too much time here )

Ball watches have a great rep and are often available on their sales corner for a decent rate. I was very close to popping for their dive watch but got another Omega instead.

I have to say....B&B is a much better hobby. You can only buy so many watches before it really makes an impact on the budget!

 

[DS/B MCS]

Ball makes a very nice watch. I've handled a few over the past couple of years and they were impressive. They seem to have a high quality fit/finish and loyal customer following. As has been mentioned, take a little time and do some reading in the Ball forums on timezone and watchtalkforums. Lots of info and pics.

Since you are interested in lesser known gems, take a look at the offerings from:
Oris
Stowa
Anonimo
Bell & Ross
Sinn

The above brands offer many different style watches with reasonable prices, and I can almost guarantee you'll never meet anyone wearing the same watch. Just don't tell any Panerai fans you are interested in Anonimo watches

 

[DunEdinRanger]

What if SWMBO gets upset at the acquisition of said railroad watches and in a fit of jealous anger throws them out, saying, "You can kiss your Balls good-bye!!!"

 

[johnmrson]

Breitling make a very good watch but are far to blingy for my taste.

Firstly, what do you want out of a watch? Is it a daily watch or something for special occassions? Do you want new or are you happy to buy a pre-owned?

I'm a big fan of Omega watches. They have a very good range that suits most tastes, they are very well made and are very well priced.

 

[MichaelG]

Ball watches don't hold their value as much as some other brands so there are definitely good values to be found on a site like TimeZone.

Paul,

I was a member of Timezone for a couple of years before joining B&B (not active now....I spend too much time here )

Ball watches have a great rep and are often available on their sales corner for a decent rate. I was very close to popping for their dive watch but got another Omega instead.

I have to say....B&B is a much better hobby. You can only buy so many watches before it really makes an impact on the budget!

 

[richmondesi]

Ball makes a very nice watch. I've handled a few over the past couple of years and they were impressive. They seem to have a high quality fit/finish and loyal customer following. As has been mentioned, take a little time and do some reading in the Ball forums on timezone and watchtalkforums. Lots of info and pics.

Since you are interested in lesser known gems, take a look at the offerings from:
Oris
Stowa
Anonimo
Bell & Ross
Sinn

The above brands offer many different style watches with reasonable prices, and I can almost guarantee you'll never meet anyone wearing the same watch. Just don't tell any Panerai fans you are interested in Anonimo watches

Thanks for the list!

Breitling make a very good watch but are far to blingy for my taste.

Firstly, what do you want out of a watch? Is it a daily watch or something for special occassions? Do you want new or are you happy to buy a pre-owned?

I'm a big fan of Omega watches. They have a very good range that suits most tastes, they are very well made and are very well priced.

I have a Breitling configured now for my "bling" watch as a matter of fact I have a Luminox that I use for my dive watch and I'm happy with that (as well as my 3 Movados) if that means anything to you... Point is, I'm not a watch aficionado by any stretch, but like with many other things in my life, I'm upgrading some quality items.

 

[petr]

I love these watches.

I was drawn to them originally because of the tritium markers. The movements do not last very long after you take it off (48 hours), but they are built like a tank. If you are used to automatic movements - no big deal.

I got my wife one because she is a nurse and the second hand is in tritium. She loves being able to see her watch in a dim room with patients. It was a perfect watch for her.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Ball watches don't hold their value as much as some other brands so there are definitely good values to be found on a site like TimeZone.

I would agree but with the caveat that few watches do hold their value unless you're buying a Patek or Vacheron or something similar....its almost like buying a car, they lose value the minute you walk out the store with it on your wrist

 

[richmondesi]

I would agree but with the caveat that few watches do hold their value unless you're buying a Patek or Vacheron or something similar....its almost like buying a car, they lose value the minute you walk out the store with it on your wrist

I typically keep things that I buy like this, and I doubt resale value will be much of an issue for me

 

[Ru4scuba?]

I typically keep things that I buy like this, and I doubt resale value will be much of an issue for me

I'm like you in that regard...otherwise I wouldn't own my Omegas....they're resale value isn't the best but that never mattered to me.

Too bad you've already got a diver...the Ball Engineer Master II Diver is amazing IMHO.

 

[richmondesi]

I'm like you in that regard...otherwise I wouldn't own my Omegas....they're resale value isn't the best but that never mattered to me.

Too bad you've already got a diver...the Ball Engineer Master II Diver is amazing IMHO.

Yeah, I saw that. If I had seen it before my Luminox, I would have it

 

[DS/B MCS]

Too bad you've already got a diver...the Ball Engineer Master II Diver is amazing IMHO.

Only one dive watch

I thought the rule was a different one for each day

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Only one dive watch

I thought the rule was a different one for each day

When I was on TZ regularly, I was contemplating starting a dive watch only collection (my first was the Blue Bezel 2531.80). Then Omega came out with their damn 50th Anniversarry Speedy....