Experience of Ball or Alpina?
Discussion
Two brands that appear to have genuine heritage. I've said before that this isn't something that bothers me, but the price point they occupy suggests they need to be bringing something to the fight.
I'm still after a GMT watch, and today I like the Ball Engineer II Red Label GMT, at around £2k and the Alpina Alpiner 4 GMT at around 10% less.
Any input would be appreciated.
I'm still after a GMT watch, and today I like the Ball Engineer II Red Label GMT, at around £2k and the Alpina Alpiner 4 GMT at around 10% less.
Any input would be appreciated.
Aesthetically the Alpina wins it for me between those two though I've no experience of the brand however a few years ago I used to own a couple of Balls, an Engineer Hydrocarbon and an Ohio. Both were, IMO, solidly built and I still consider them to be amongst the best made watches that I've owned relative to the price paid. Great story behind the brand as well though much like others of that era they've been swallowed up by one of the bigger boys, SWATCH in the case of Ball IIRC.
If the right model at the right price came up again I'd consider owning another, no problem.
Edit to add that I bought both of mine pre-owned thus negating the inevitable depreciation, and that the tritium tubes are easily the best performers compared to regular lume if that's important to you. A fully charged luminova watch will glow brighter though once that fades the tritium tubes come into their own.
If the right model at the right price came up again I'd consider owning another, no problem.
Edit to add that I bought both of mine pre-owned thus negating the inevitable depreciation, and that the tritium tubes are easily the best performers compared to regular lume if that's important to you. A fully charged luminova watch will glow brighter though once that fades the tritium tubes come into their own.
Edited by CardShark on Friday 25th August 15:00
Thanks both. I also think the Alpina looks a little nicer, but my collection is entirely made up of dive watches at the moment, so I really think I ought to have something with a different bezel (although I'm not sure thats what I [i]want[/]).
It's good to hear that Ball are decent quality. I suspected they were, but I know the Americans' definition of quality and ours can differ
It's good to hear that Ball are decent quality. I suspected they were, but I know the Americans' definition of quality and ours can differ
Bought my wife one several years ago and she has been very pleased with it - faultless in that time, tritium glowing brightly as expected, quite thick for the small diameter in a woman's watch because of the need for an automatic movement, then space above it for the tubes of 3H in the three hands above the dial. Her one has the seconds in tiny digits around the dial which look great on magnified pictures of the watch online but are not readable life size by those with normal vision but that's not important. She wears it constantly - quite bright and with a metal strap scratchy in bed.
We have no experience of Alpina. Nite provides good budget (waterproof, holiday in dodgy places) 3H watches - only have one of their quartz models, no experience of the new automatics if you want tritium.
We have no experience of Alpina. Nite provides good budget (waterproof, holiday in dodgy places) 3H watches - only have one of their quartz models, no experience of the new automatics if you want tritium.
Revisitph said:
Bought my wife one several years ago and she has been very pleased with it - faultless in that time, tritium glowing brightly as expected, quite thick for the small diameter in a woman's watch because of the need for an automatic movement, then space above it for the tubes of 3H in the three hands above the dial. Her one has the seconds in tiny digits around the dial which look great on magnified pictures of the watch online but are not readable life size by those with normal vision but that's not important. She wears it constantly - quite bright and with a metal strap scratchy in bed.
We have no experience of Alpina. Nite provides good budget (waterproof, holiday in dodgy places) 3H watches - only have one of their quartz models, no experience of the new automatics if you want tritium.
This kind of points to my concern. I like a big watch, and I therefore like a relatively thick watch. 43-44mm x 13-14mm. But the movement plus the tritium makes for a thick case, which is why I've been concerned about the quality/clunkiness ration of a Ball.We have no experience of Alpina. Nite provides good budget (waterproof, holiday in dodgy places) 3H watches - only have one of their quartz models, no experience of the new automatics if you want tritium.
I'm not a huge fan of a really busy watch, hence the decision for a GMT rather than a Worldtimer. The Ball Diver GMT has an awful lot going on, and it's pretty chunky. I suppose I'm looking for something more dressy, but I don't need a 'dress' watch per se.
Doofus said:
This kind of points to my concern. I like a big watch, and I therefore like a relatively thick watch. 43-44mm x 13-14mm. But the movement plus the tritium makes for a thick case, which is why I've been concerned about the quality/clunkiness ration of a Ball.
Owner of two Balls and even though I have skeletal wrists they fit & look lovely, Also will add as others .... Quality above the price levelHTH's
Go for the Ball!
Here's my review of one variant I owned;
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Here's my review of one variant I owned;
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
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