Is it a bit parky out there today?  The Ball Trainmaster Celsius watch will let you know whether to wrap up warm or strip off the layers if you’re a bit partial to the elements.  It features a “TMT” function or mechanical thermometer module, displayed on the dial in an arc-shaped indicator at 6 o’clock with increments of 5°C.  It’s accurate too. 97% accurate and this clever little addition is capable of measuring temperatures between -35°C to 45°C.  This is not a gimmick, it is a perfectly usable function with all the practicality and reliability synonymous with every thing that the Ball Watch Company produce.  Forming part of the Trainmaster collection, the stainless steel case measures 41mm across.  Inside is the Ball 9018 automatic calibre.

The Ball Trainmaster Celsius is a commemorative watch created in honour of Anders Celsius, the inventor of the modern temperature scale who was born 310 years ago, hence the piece is a limited edition of just 310 pieces.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Ball Watch present a new addition to their Storm Chaser Collection with a dark and moody coating of black DLC.  Ok so that chunky watchcase might look stealthy, but do not be fooled – this one will glow, glow, glow thanks to a humongous 66 micro tubes of gas on the dial and hands.  Ultra readability is a bit of a party piece for the Ball Watch Co. and you will find that each piece in their portfolio is not only highly legible, they are all on the right side of cool too!

On the dial are hours, minutes, seconds, day, date and chronograph.  The piece is designed to be used in extreme conditions so the tachometer scale on the bezel and the rangefinder on the flange are not just there for added kudos, although I have to admit this piece is a bit of a loooker – those big hour markers, that generous date window, even if you don’t follow tornadoes and such-like wear this and turn back your cuff after dark.

An automatic ETA 7750 Calibre powers the Storm Chaser DLC Glow and water resistance is to 100m.  The piece comes presented on a black perforated leather strap and will be a limited edition of 1999 pieces.

Popularity: 4% [?]

I first really noticed the Ball Watch company a few years ago and have always meant to get my hands on one but never actually got round to it. Ball Watch possess a quite unusual characteristic which is not found in many watch brands – although a nod of recognition also goes to Traser/H3 watches at this point.

Ball Watch often fit their watches with vials of H3 luminous gas (similar to that used in Xenon headlights) in their displays and use it for super-high levels of legibility in the hour markers, numerals and hands. And it’s in use again in the latest cool offering of the Ball Watch Engineer Hydrocarbon Spacemaster.

Ball Watch put out a press release on the new watch. Here’s what they said…..

Ball Watch Press Release

The Engineer Hydrocarbon collection is the ultimate personification of the BALL Watch identity. It is its iconic hero! Today, the brand has instilled it with renewed vigor. For this youthful makeover, the Research & Development team has applied all its technological expertise, its knowledge of materials and the readability standards inherited from the brand’s founder.

Several components have been modified and improved, including the rotating bezel. It has retained its unidirectional function, its notch calibrated at 30 seconds as well as its virile and robust design. However, it has been made slightly wider and flatter making it much easier to manipulate even when wearing gloves.

Loyal to its easy night reading function, BALL Watch has equipped the Hydrocarbon bezel with an H3 marker inserted in a protective container at 12 o’clock. Further, the graduation from 0 to 14, along with the digits 15, 30 and 45 all have very powerful luminescent paint emitting a blue glow.

Ball Watch Engineer Hydrocarbon Spacemaster

The triple folding clasp and its extension, patented by BALL Watch, is a pure distillation of innovation.To improve the strength and durability of this clasp, it is machined from a single block of 316L stainless steel. To ensure optimum ergonomics, the clasp’s balance is perfect and the unfolding components are spread evenly under their cover; and a 22-millimeter extension system has been added on both sides of the bracelet so that the watch can be worn over sports gear. Opening and closing operations can be performed singlehandedly. The clasp operates with a robust locking mechanism enabling it to withstand extreme traction forces when in the closed position.

The crowning technical touch in this watch is its chronometer-certified ETA 2836 movement, with day and date calendar, delivering extreme precision.

The BALL Watch Engineer Hydrocarbon exudes unrivalled character that transforms its wearer into an unmistakable hero. It goes where he goes, cleaved to his wrist, leaving all others in its wake! Its ergonomic design means the wearer can forget about it and just focus all his attention on his current mission. The BALL Watch ambassador Brian Binnie, former US Navy pilot and astronaut, is well placed to report back on this particular point. It was this watch that he chose to accompany him out where gravity loses its hold, into infinite space where the earth is just a panorama separated from the immense blackness by a blue ribbon. Out there, Brian Binnie found the ultimate freedom.

BALL Watch is proud to be associated with the greatest of human endeavors and pays homage to this expedition by equipping the dial of the Spacemaster model with luminescent gas tubes emitting a blue glow similar to the illumination of a spaceship’s instrument panel.

Technical specification

Model Number: DM2036-SCAJ-BK
Movement: Automatic ETA 2836-2, COSC certified chronometer
Functions: Hours, minutes, sweep seconds, day and date
29 micro gas tubes on hour, minute, second hands and dial for night reading capability
Case: Stainless steel case with luminous unidirectional rotating bezel
Diameter 41.5 mm, Height 16.1 mm
4mm anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Patented crown protection system
Water-resistant to 333 m
Antimagnetic to 12,000 A/m
Shock-resistant – withstands 7,500 Gs shock test
Band: Tapered stainless steel bracelet, with patented deployant buckle
& extension system

For more information, please visit www.ballwatch.com

Well I’m not absolutely certain that hero status is a pre-requisite to own one, but if you can maybe ‘pretend’ to possess hero qualities, then you might just get away without anyone asking for your hero credentials.

It would be a shame if the watch was not supplied to mere mortals such as I because it’s a nice looking piece and I’m sure it would draw admiring comments, but maybe that’s because heroism is expected as standard if you wear one.

Popularity: 7% [?]