Do you like Balls?
Discussion
So, I'm currently on the hunt for my first automatic watch.
I'm looking for a chronograph, preferably something that has a racing look...
Watches that I like so far:
- Omega Speedmaster
- Tudor Heritage Chrono Blue
- Tag Monaco
- Chopard Mille Miglia
Unfortunately I don't think I'd get good examples of the above in my budget (~£2k with a bit of flex)
Which is when I found the following:
http://www.ablogtowatch.com/ball-fireman-storm-cha...
I like the style, love the lume, it's in budget - but just wondering what the rest of you guys think? Is the Valjoux/ETA 7750 movement good? Do Ball make a good watch in general? They're not a company that I'm very familiar with.
I'm looking for a chronograph, preferably something that has a racing look...
Watches that I like so far:
- Omega Speedmaster
- Tudor Heritage Chrono Blue
- Tag Monaco
- Chopard Mille Miglia
Unfortunately I don't think I'd get good examples of the above in my budget (~£2k with a bit of flex)
Which is when I found the following:
http://www.ablogtowatch.com/ball-fireman-storm-cha...
I like the style, love the lume, it's in budget - but just wondering what the rest of you guys think? Is the Valjoux/ETA 7750 movement good? Do Ball make a good watch in general? They're not a company that I'm very familiar with.
Valjoux 7750 is a pretty standard auto chronograph movement, usually referred to as a 'work horse' (whatever the feck that means). You'll find them in all sorts of stuff around your budget - unless they use an in-house movement. I've got one in my Offshore and it seems to work OK.
If I had £2k to spend on a watch now, I'd get a Tudor Black Bay.
If I had £2k to spend on a watch now, I'd get a Tudor Black Bay.
Ball are a very decent watch, but for the stated budget, and because I like something that's a bit left field, I'd be opting for either of these two.
https://www.chrono24.com/en/perrelet/big-date-chro...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/pequignet/moorea--id26...
Alternatively – https://www.chrono24.com/en/fortis/b-42-diver-chro...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/fortis/b-42-stratoline...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/fortis/b42-marinemaste...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/perrelet/big-date-chro...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/pequignet/moorea--id26...
Alternatively – https://www.chrono24.com/en/fortis/b-42-diver-chro...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/fortis/b-42-stratoline...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/fortis/b42-marinemaste...
TimLambert7 said:
Valjoux 7750 is a pretty standard auto chronograph movement, usually referred to as a 'work horse' (whatever the feck that means). You'll find them in all sorts of stuff around your budget - unless they use an in-house movement. I've got one in my Offshore and it seems to work OK.
If I had £2k to spend on a watch now, I'd get a Tudor Black Bay.
That's what I thought regarding the movement - nothing particularly special, but decent nonetheless. Unfortunately, at my price-point for a chrono there is always going to be a trade-off.If I had £2k to spend on a watch now, I'd get a Tudor Black Bay.
Why the tudor black bay?
Diver will probably be next on the list after I've ticked the chrono box.
PJ S said:
Ball are a very decent watch, but for the stated budget, and because I like something that's a bit left field, I'd be opting for either of these two.
https://www.chrono24.com/en/perrelet/big-date-chro...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/pequignet/moorea--id26...
I like these two - more so the bottom one. The strap reminds me of an AP RO.https://www.chrono24.com/en/perrelet/big-date-chro...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/pequignet/moorea--id26...
utgjon said:
I like these two - more so the bottom one. The strap reminds me of an AP RO.
Yes, Pequignet devised their take on Genta's RO bracelet, not long after it was shown at Basel, back in the early '70s.You'd not go wrong with either of those, but here's some more I forgot to include:
https://www.chrono24.com/en/paulpicot/yachtman-3-c...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/paulpicot/gentleman-ch...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/paulpicot/technograph-...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/paulpicot/technograph-...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/paulpicot/technograph-...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/paulpicot/the-first-of...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/paulpicot/tele-meter--... – sounds nice with the blue dial, but needs better pics in natural light.
https://www.chrono24.com/en/unionglashuette/viro-c...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/unionglashuette/viro-c...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/unionglashuette/belisa...
Some of those show that you don't need to spend all your budget to get a cracking looking watch – but the Balls do have the tritium tube in their favour.
As others have said, it's a pretty generic movement (albeit reasonably good quality), so most of it comes down to whether you like the style of the watch or not.
It's OK, but it wouldn't be choice at that sort of price, tbh.
Of course, that matters not a jot to you
You could get a good used Speedmaster with some service warranty still on it for well under £2k.
Worth looking at Sinns too. Similar prices, a bit classier and you don't have to put up with the homoerotic names
M
It's OK, but it wouldn't be choice at that sort of price, tbh.
Of course, that matters not a jot to you
You could get a good used Speedmaster with some service warranty still on it for well under £2k.
Worth looking at Sinns too. Similar prices, a bit classier and you don't have to put up with the homoerotic names
M
marcosgt said:
As others have said, it's a pretty generic movement (albeit reasonably good quality), so most of it comes down to whether you like the style of the watch or not.
It's OK, but it wouldn't be choice at that sort of price, tbh.
Of course, that matters not a jot to you
You could get a good used Speedmaster with some service warranty still on it for well under £2k.
Worth looking at Sinns too. Similar prices, a bit classier and you don't have to put up with the homoerotic names
M
In some ways, I guess I am looking for something that is horologically respected. It's OK, but it wouldn't be choice at that sort of price, tbh.
Of course, that matters not a jot to you
You could get a good used Speedmaster with some service warranty still on it for well under £2k.
Worth looking at Sinns too. Similar prices, a bit classier and you don't have to put up with the homoerotic names
M
The style is important, as is an interesting/functional complication such as a chronograph... but what I don't want to find is that as I get more and more 'into watches', I've bought something that completely turns me off and if I'd been smarter, could have bought something that's going to give me pleasure for years to come (no homoerotic puns intended).
What are peoples thoughts on going down the vintage/used route - I've seen some nice Breitling Top Times kicking about? Likewise with the vintage Heuers.
utgjon said:
marcosgt said:
As others have said, it's a pretty generic movement (albeit reasonably good quality), so most of it comes down to whether you like the style of the watch or not.
It's OK, but it wouldn't be choice at that sort of price, tbh.
Of course, that matters not a jot to you
You could get a good used Speedmaster with some service warranty still on it for well under £2k.
Worth looking at Sinns too. Similar prices, a bit classier and you don't have to put up with the homoerotic names
M
In some ways, I guess I am looking for something that is horologically respected. It's OK, but it wouldn't be choice at that sort of price, tbh.
Of course, that matters not a jot to you
You could get a good used Speedmaster with some service warranty still on it for well under £2k.
Worth looking at Sinns too. Similar prices, a bit classier and you don't have to put up with the homoerotic names
M
The style is important, as is an interesting/functional complication such as a chronograph... but what I don't want to find is that as I get more and more 'into watches', I've bought something that completely turns me off and if I'd been smarter, could have bought something that's going to give me pleasure for years to come (no homoerotic puns intended).
What are peoples thoughts on going down the vintage/used route - I've seen some nice Breitling Top Times kicking about? Likewise with the vintage Heuers.
From your list, I'd say a reasonably new (early 2000s) used Speedmaster Pro would be a great place to spend your money as it's an iconic watch with a totally respected movement (and brand) and even if you decide, longer term, it's not for you, you'll be able to move it on for most (if not all) of what you spent on it.
An older one with a recent service would also be a good choice (anything early 2000s or older should probably have had a service in the last few years) if the price is right, but go back too far and you start getting into vintage and the prices go up instead of down.
I'm wearing my Speedmaster today - I spent a little too much on a whim one bored evening away on business (£1700 on eBay) a few years ago (I realise now, I could have probably saved £200-400 looking around) and the mainspring broke last year so I spent around £400 on a full service, but really, it looks like new now (and runs like it too! Photo above is pre-service), which when you consider a new one is about £3000 isn't too bad.
The 'Speedy' is a manual (there are automatics, but the bargain 'reduced' model is quite small - It suits some, but not others - and the bigger ones are either 'not really Speedmasters' or blinkin' expensive!). If you like the Ball, there's nothing at all wrong with anything with a Valjoux 7750, it, I think, certainly qualifies as 'horologically respectable'
Another favourite watch of mine is my Sinn Arktis, which features the same movement as the Ball.
Arktis' are hard to find (out of production and sought after), but the more usual 103/203 range is 95% as good.
M
Edited by marcosgt on Tuesday 3rd February 17:21
marcosgt said:
Oh yes, vintage can be great, my first 'proper' watch was 1967 Breitling Cosmonaute, but you need to do lots of research as it's easy to either buy a 'frankenwatch' (lots of bits put together) or just a poor example at a premium price.
The 'Speedy' is a manual (there are automatics, but the bargain 'reduced' model is quite small - It suits some, but not others - and the bigger ones are either 'not really Speedmasters' or blinkin' expensive!). If you like the Ball, there's nothing at all wrong with anything with a Valjoux 7750, it, I think, certainly qualifies as 'horologically respectable'
Another favourite watch of mine is my Sinn Arktis, which features the same movement as the Ball.
Thanks for such a detailed reply, I really appreciate it.The 'Speedy' is a manual (there are automatics, but the bargain 'reduced' model is quite small - It suits some, but not others - and the bigger ones are either 'not really Speedmasters' or blinkin' expensive!). If you like the Ball, there's nothing at all wrong with anything with a Valjoux 7750, it, I think, certainly qualifies as 'horologically respectable'
Another favourite watch of mine is my Sinn Arktis, which features the same movement as the Ball.
I have no issues with a manual movement - in fact i think i'd quite like one as it'll mean an excuse to play with it more
... and yeah, the reduced definitely would be too small for me.What's the deal with Sinn? I see the name around quite a lot but don't know much about them - what's their USP?
I think this looks quite nice, reminds me of the a TransOcean and it's happily within budget:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-60S-BREITLING-TOPTI...
The 7750 is a technically very well designed and executed movement.
Sure, it's finish may be basic and it's not a "brand name" in its own right but, if it was in any way inherently second rate, it wouldn't have been the almost universal base for Swiss mechanical chronographs over the past few decades.
Admittedly modified to greater or lesser extent (often little more than pretty finishing)it's been used by Omega, IWC, Panerai, Cronoswiss, Franck Muller, and plenty of others.
Even in base form "untrained thoroughbred" would be a fairer description than "workhorse" once you take brand snobbery out of the equation.
Sure, it's finish may be basic and it's not a "brand name" in its own right but, if it was in any way inherently second rate, it wouldn't have been the almost universal base for Swiss mechanical chronographs over the past few decades.
Admittedly modified to greater or lesser extent (often little more than pretty finishing)it's been used by Omega, IWC, Panerai, Cronoswiss, Franck Muller, and plenty of others.
Even in base form "untrained thoroughbred" would be a fairer description than "workhorse" once you take brand snobbery out of the equation.
utgjon said:
What's the deal with Sinn? I see the name around quite a lot but don't know much about them - what's their USP?
http://www.sinn.de/en/Company.htmyeti said:
TimLambert7 said:
If I had £2k to spend on a watch now, I'd get a Tudor Black Bay.
I owned one for less than 24hrs. Really wanted to like it but it was dull, dull, dull. Pelagos on the other hand... Mmmm, Pelagos... Interested in what was dull about the Black Bay. They look great to me.
TimLambert7 said:
yeti said:
TimLambert7 said:
If I had £2k to spend on a watch now, I'd get a Tudor Black Bay.
I owned one for less than 24hrs. Really wanted to like it but it was dull, dull, dull. Pelagos on the other hand... Mmmm, Pelagos... Interested in what was dull about the Black Bay. They look great to me.
BrabusMog said:
I tried a Pelagos and it just felt "cheap", I find the Black Bay boring but I guess it's all subjective. Just picked up a bi metal Daytona this evening after a house purchase fell through last week and that has got me grinning like a Cheshire cat
I've not tried a Pelagos, but Titanium watches can feel like that because they're (relatively) light and warm to the touch compared to steel.I rather like them, but I can see how some people would not be able to get past the slightly odd feeling.
M.
Ironically in that link, I mention being interested in the Marathon CSAR and I now have one. Tritium was something I specifically wanted and the CSAR is built like a tank and I abuse watches terribly.
A mate has 3 Balls he loves them and they are lovely watches, but purely from a "taking abuse" perspective, the CSAR wins.
A mate has 3 Balls
he loves them and they are lovely watches, but purely from a "taking abuse" perspective, the CSAR wins.Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff