Will Casio’s design team go Ballistic?
Discussion
[Quick review of the Ballistic Sabre - a rival to the Casio G-shock]
Will Casio’s design team go Ballistic?
Introduction
Casio’s G-shock series have been known on PH as the MX5 of the rugged watch world and rightly so. If you needed a tough, go anywhere, do anything watch, then you would leave your Patek Grand Complication at home and strap on your chunky G because you know that what you’re about to embark upon will have your mindset in one of self-preservation at the expense of anything else around you – equipment, clothing or watch – and if the kit can’t look after itself when you’re about to faceplant then chances are that it will have to be replaced. And G-shocks have been satisfyingly good at exceeding these requirements as has been demonstrated countless times on YouTube as well as in my own life.
The main criticism with G-shocks, however, is that while they look purposeful and practical, to many they are pretty ugly - a purposeful ugliness, you might say - and until now, you didn’t really have a choice; you either risked gears falling out of place in your £150,000 watch or you wore something that looked ridiculous with a suit. That is, until recently. Ballistic Watches, a new kid on the watch industry block, has been quietly selling watches to rival the G-shock - watches that have been designed to resist damage that would break bones and tear flesh - but still look good with analogue faces, crowns, standard lugs and chronograph sub-dials.
The Ballistic Sabre
This week, I have been fortunate enough to get hold of a pre-owned one, specifically, the Ballistic Sabre. It can probably be described as the entry level model as it is a basic three-hand design with a date function. Looks-wise, the face is normal with applied numerals and hour batons as per watches from the 1960s. The hands are also sensible in design, being chromed, slim “broadsword” ones. The second hand gives the layout a modern touch with its bright red colouring. At about 40mm wide excluding the crown and 13mm deep, it is quite chunky and the black plastic protection ring around the dial does suggest that this watch is not normal but that is the only thing that really sets it apart from other modern, non-sports watches.
Ballistic Sabre with aftermarket vintage strap
The lugs have been drilled to enable screw bars to be used; presumably, this is because they are sturdier than spring bars. As mentioned previously, the lugs are a standard design (22mm lug width) and permit the fitting of one-piece Nato straps, which I feel are more suited to it than the standard leather strap if you intend to use the watch in anger (which may mean you will be sweating a lot plus risk scratching the strap).
Orange Monster and Sabre, for size comparison
For those who enjoy real diving (as opposed to desk diving!), the knurled crown is a screw-down affair but the waterproof rating is only 100m so not suitable for professionals (admittedly, I know little about scuba diving so please do your own research into waterproof requirements). Personally, I wanted a watch to climb with...
On a black Nato
So, What Do I Think?
As mentioned, the case does look chunky and, despite being a quartz watch, feels appropriately heavy. The combination of brushed metal bezel and top of lugs with the chrome case does work well in that it doesn’t appear shiny and “show-offy”, which is right for such a watch. The standard strap feels chunky and does suit the watch but being made of leather, will very quickly become damaged and dirty hence I have replaced it with a Nato. The accuracy of the quartz movement is very good - it has matched my atomic watch for the last 3 days.
One criticism is that the lume is pretty poor. Whilst I do not expect Seiko Monster or Omega Seamaster Pro lume, I would like something near to superluminova levels on a watch that could easily be used “in the wild”. Failing that, another route they could have taken would be to use tritium tubes as they would work well with this kind of watch.
Overall, I am happy with my purchase - a chunky, subtle watch that I don't have to worry about.
But What About Its Rugged Qualities, Dammit?
As for what it was designed to do, well, I cannot comment as I have yet to wear it in anger. Sorry. Certainly, while hitting the gym and “desk diving” I haven’t had any problems; I have also dropped it on a carpeted floor. I would prefer to test it under real circumstances from a “wabi sabi” viewpoint so you will have to wait if you want to find out how it gets on. In the meantime, for proof of how it copes, your best bet is to check out these videos that others have posted on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm2DAumuyFU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raIJwSMPAAM
Full specification (from Ballistic's website)
Mens Ballistic BWS102 watch with Stainless Steel Case, Brown Dial and Brown Leather Strap. 100m Water resistant, Shock resistant, shatterproof crystal. Featuring a Date display. Ballistic watches are meticulously crafted and utilize a precision Quartz Movement. Ballistic watches are guaranteed for a period of 2 Years. List Price: £79.00
Sabre in box
Will Casio’s design team go Ballistic?
Introduction
Casio’s G-shock series have been known on PH as the MX5 of the rugged watch world and rightly so. If you needed a tough, go anywhere, do anything watch, then you would leave your Patek Grand Complication at home and strap on your chunky G because you know that what you’re about to embark upon will have your mindset in one of self-preservation at the expense of anything else around you – equipment, clothing or watch – and if the kit can’t look after itself when you’re about to faceplant then chances are that it will have to be replaced. And G-shocks have been satisfyingly good at exceeding these requirements as has been demonstrated countless times on YouTube as well as in my own life.
The main criticism with G-shocks, however, is that while they look purposeful and practical, to many they are pretty ugly - a purposeful ugliness, you might say - and until now, you didn’t really have a choice; you either risked gears falling out of place in your £150,000 watch or you wore something that looked ridiculous with a suit. That is, until recently. Ballistic Watches, a new kid on the watch industry block, has been quietly selling watches to rival the G-shock - watches that have been designed to resist damage that would break bones and tear flesh - but still look good with analogue faces, crowns, standard lugs and chronograph sub-dials.
The Ballistic Sabre
This week, I have been fortunate enough to get hold of a pre-owned one, specifically, the Ballistic Sabre. It can probably be described as the entry level model as it is a basic three-hand design with a date function. Looks-wise, the face is normal with applied numerals and hour batons as per watches from the 1960s. The hands are also sensible in design, being chromed, slim “broadsword” ones. The second hand gives the layout a modern touch with its bright red colouring. At about 40mm wide excluding the crown and 13mm deep, it is quite chunky and the black plastic protection ring around the dial does suggest that this watch is not normal but that is the only thing that really sets it apart from other modern, non-sports watches.
Ballistic Sabre with aftermarket vintage strap
The lugs have been drilled to enable screw bars to be used; presumably, this is because they are sturdier than spring bars. As mentioned previously, the lugs are a standard design (22mm lug width) and permit the fitting of one-piece Nato straps, which I feel are more suited to it than the standard leather strap if you intend to use the watch in anger (which may mean you will be sweating a lot plus risk scratching the strap).
Orange Monster and Sabre, for size comparison
For those who enjoy real diving (as opposed to desk diving!), the knurled crown is a screw-down affair but the waterproof rating is only 100m so not suitable for professionals (admittedly, I know little about scuba diving so please do your own research into waterproof requirements). Personally, I wanted a watch to climb with...
On a black Nato
So, What Do I Think?
As mentioned, the case does look chunky and, despite being a quartz watch, feels appropriately heavy. The combination of brushed metal bezel and top of lugs with the chrome case does work well in that it doesn’t appear shiny and “show-offy”, which is right for such a watch. The standard strap feels chunky and does suit the watch but being made of leather, will very quickly become damaged and dirty hence I have replaced it with a Nato. The accuracy of the quartz movement is very good - it has matched my atomic watch for the last 3 days.
One criticism is that the lume is pretty poor. Whilst I do not expect Seiko Monster or Omega Seamaster Pro lume, I would like something near to superluminova levels on a watch that could easily be used “in the wild”. Failing that, another route they could have taken would be to use tritium tubes as they would work well with this kind of watch.
Overall, I am happy with my purchase - a chunky, subtle watch that I don't have to worry about.
But What About Its Rugged Qualities, Dammit?
As for what it was designed to do, well, I cannot comment as I have yet to wear it in anger. Sorry. Certainly, while hitting the gym and “desk diving” I haven’t had any problems; I have also dropped it on a carpeted floor. I would prefer to test it under real circumstances from a “wabi sabi” viewpoint so you will have to wait if you want to find out how it gets on. In the meantime, for proof of how it copes, your best bet is to check out these videos that others have posted on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm2DAumuyFU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raIJwSMPAAM
Full specification (from Ballistic's website)
Mens Ballistic BWS102 watch with Stainless Steel Case, Brown Dial and Brown Leather Strap. 100m Water resistant, Shock resistant, shatterproof crystal. Featuring a Date display. Ballistic watches are meticulously crafted and utilize a precision Quartz Movement. Ballistic watches are guaranteed for a period of 2 Years. List Price: £79.00
Sabre in box
Edited by RemainAllHoof on Saturday 26th February 18:27
NeMiSiS said:
For £30 it is a bargain, nice pictures and comprehensive review too.
Thanks, and yes, I couldn't resist! It is a strange thing - I was only thinking the other day that I quite fancy an analogue that looks normal and could handle being worn while climbing (I have a G-shock Cockpit Diver but it still looks a bit unusual).Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff