Ball watches?
Author
Discussion

Adam B

Original Poster:

29,757 posts

285 months

Monday 5th September 2011
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Not seen them since a recent trip to Bangkok and like the cut of their jib, but know nothing about them. Any views?

Particular like this one


hilly10

7,543 posts

259 months

Tuesday 6th September 2011
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Good honest well built watch. I particularly like the Hydrocarbon Chronograph

Adam B

Original Poster:

29,757 posts

285 months

Tuesday 6th September 2011
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Thanks for the link, I did try a search but it kept freezing

So no quality concerns then?

Threeracers

714 posts

280 months

Wednesday 7th September 2011
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Adam B said:
.....

So no quality concerns then?
I have the Engineer Hydrocarbon and it’s superbly made except it's missing a tritium tube in the chronograph second hand. It hasn’t fallen out – at least there isn’t a tube floating around inside that I can see. I keep meaning to get it back to them but haven’t yet!


Ikemi

8,610 posts

236 months

Wednesday 7th September 2011
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Adam B said:
Thanks for the link, I did try a search but it kept freezing

So no quality concerns then?
As well built as an Omega, IMHO. Check out my review in the link Nemisis posted above ... Fantastic watches smile Some the new offerings are very temping too, especially the Ceramic XV!

hilly10

7,543 posts

259 months

Wednesday 7th September 2011
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Threeracers said:
I have the Engineer Hydrocarbon and it’s superbly made except it's missing a tritium tube in the chronograph second hand. It hasn’t fallen out – at least there isn’t a tube floating around inside that I can see. I keep meaning to get it back to them but haven’t yet!

Thats the one I like

speedtwelve

3,547 posts

304 months

Wednesday 7th September 2011
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Go and handle some Balls. I was surprised at how much more striking they were in the flesh compared to pictures. If buying new in the UK you've a choice of Jura, Chisholm Hunter or Ernest Jones as stockists.

Agree with other posters about quality; I've an Engineer Hydrocarbon Mad Cow, in brushed titanium & steel. It's very well made. Little things like bracelet quality, the fluid and friction-free crown action, crisp bezel ratchet, the guilloche pattern on the face, all the details. The Engineer Hydrocarbons don't wear all that big due to curved lugs that contour to your wrist, but the watches are hefty enough to be used in a bar fight!

The tritium does look cool; you're also highly unlikely to come across anyone else wearing a Ball.

Mine (Not a great pic, doesn't show the dial detail):


thetapeworm

13,892 posts

270 months

Wednesday 7th September 2011
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When I woke up this morning I had never heard of these watches, now I find myself looking around the house for things to sell in order to fund one.

Curse you again PH! smile

sparkyhx

4,200 posts

235 months

Wednesday 7th September 2011
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I like most of their offerings - quality without the brand expense of the big names

Adam B

Original Poster:

29,757 posts

285 months

Wednesday 7th September 2011
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They were 20% off in Bangkok, regret not going with my instincts now but hate spending a large amount without researching prices first

Will certainly investigate further now

speedtwelve

3,547 posts

304 months

Wednesday 7th September 2011
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If investigating, Chisholm Hunter may have a sale on with a couple of Ball watches at the moment...

Ikemi

8,610 posts

236 months

Thursday 8th September 2011
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I bought mine from Chisholm Hunter, who were fantastic and very helpful throughout the purchasing process! Ball are very popular on the other side of the world, more notably Australasia and Asia. However Ball are building a large fan base in Europe and the UK; Ernest Jones took on the brand approximately 2 years ago smile

As Ball are a relatively new brand to the UK market, the majority of AD's are unwilling to offer any sort of discount. If you push, Jura and Chisholm Hunter will entertain a 10% discount off RRP price.

Anyway, this thread made me choose my Ball for this evening ... Perfect for a trip to the cinema! biggrin


DS3R

13,493 posts

197 months

Thursday 8th September 2011
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Keep an eye out in Ernest Jones for these- EJ have a habit of randomly offering up to 50% discounts from certain items for odd periods.

Last time I was there they had a few for -30% from retail.

Shaw Tarse

31,903 posts

234 months

Thursday 8th September 2011
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NeMiSiS said:
Ah nuts, I now need a tritium watch goes to search the bay for a cheap one type

Ikemi

8,610 posts

236 months

Thursday 8th September 2011
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Shaw Tarse said:
NeMiSiS said:
Ah nuts, I now need a tritium watch goes to search the bay for a cheap one type
Traser - A balance between good quality and low price thumbup The Classic Auto is an absolute bargain, considering it's specifications!