What's new

Ball Watch - HYDROCARBON MAGNATE GMT Review requested by Joel

I'd love to hear more about this one and see some more pics. Game to put together a review?

sure you want me to place it here?

Ok Joel Here you go:

BALL WATCH Hydrocarbon MAGNATE GMT
Purchased from Toppers Fine Jewelers, Burlingame, CA in between 2010 and 2012 cant remember right now
Ball Watch Co History - From Ball Web site:
To a large extent, the development of the watch industry in America can be attributed to the advent and subsequent development of American railroads.

Prior to the advent of trains as a means of transporting people and goods, there was no real need for precise timekeeping or uniform time. Even after the railroad system in the United States had reached significant proportions following the Civil War, communities continued to maintain their local times.

By the end of 1883, the railroad industry had agreed, at least among themselves, to divide the nation into four time zones and had adopted Standard Time. The public soon followed suit, although it is interesting to note that the Congress did not officially sanction the concept until 1918.

In 1996, Cleveland, Ohio, celebrated the bicentennial of the founding of the city on the lake. During this celebration, many individuals were remembered and recognized as Cleveland's favorite sons, and their accomplishments were reviewed. One Clevelander honored, whose accomplishments reached international acclaim, not only for his civic contributions, but also for his place in horology, was Webster Clay Ball.

Webb C. Ball was born in Fredericktown, Ohio on October 6, 1847. When Standard Time was adopted in 1883, he was the first jeweler to use time signals, bringing accurate time to Cleveland. On July 19, 1891, the General Superintendent of Lake Shore Lines appointed Webb C. Ball as Chief Inspector for the lines. His early inspection system was the beginning of the vast Ball network that would encompass 75% of the railroads throughout the country and cover at least 175,000 miles of railroad. Webb C. Ball also extended his system into Mexico and Canada.

On April 19, 1891 the Fast Mail train known as No. 4 was coming west on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad in Kipton, Ohio. At Elyria, 25 miles from Cleveland, the Engineer and the Conductor of the Accomodation were given orders to let the fast mail train pass them at Kipton, a small station west of Oberlin, the University town.

As the Conductor of Accomodation admitted afterward, from the time the train left Elyria until it collided with the Fast Mail at Kipton, he did not take his watch out of his pocket. He said that he supposed the Engineer would look out for Fast Mail No. 4. But the Engineer's watch stopped for four minutes and then began running again, a little matter of life and death of which he was unconscious. There were several stations between Elyria and Kipton, but the Engineer pounded slowly along in the belief that he had time to spare.

Leaving Oberlin, the Engineer supposed he had seven minutes before reaching the meeting point. Of course he only had three minutes. Had the Conductor looked at his own watch he could have prevented the accident. The trains came together at Kipton, the Fast Mail at full speed and the Accomodation under brakes, because it was nearing the station. The Engineers of both trains were killed, and the dead bodies of nine clerks were taken from the kindling wood and broken iron of the postal cars.

The Kipton Disaster prompted the Lake Shore officials to enlist Webb C. Ball to investigate Time and Watch conditions throughout the Lake Shore Line and develop an inspection system for their implementation.

Webb C. Ball set about immediately and put in place fortnightly checks on the watches worn by all railroad workers. The checks were carried out by approved watchmakers. Ball set strict standards, forbidding variations more than 30 seconds among the watches.

It is important to recognize and applaud Webb C. Ball, for his system was the first successful one to be accepted on a broad scale. It was his system that set the standard for railroads; it was his system that helped establish accuracy and uniformity in timekeeping. It was his system that resulted in railroad time and railroad watches being recognized as STANDARD, whenever accuracy in time was required. In general, it became accepted that when the average person asks a railroad man the time, he is assured a correct answer.

Today, BALL Watch is one of the most respected and established watch brands in the United States. We continue to update the product range in the 21st century to keep pace with shifting consumer patterns. But, despite changes in appearance, the founding spirit of the brand - industrial function - is never compromised.

It is upheld in Ball's original details, such as the watch dial that faithfully follows his design guidelines for the standard railway watch. Every detail, from the shape of the hands to the style of the numerals, was laid down by the founder in his quest for accuracy in timekeeping.

It is a vision that the Ball family remains faithful to. For legions of men and women today whose split-second decisions keep the world ticking, it is a shared commitment.

BALL Watch - Since 1891, Accuracy Under Adverse Conditions

Specs:
SIZE: 40MM
Engine: Cal Ball RR1201C Automatic Anti Magneticc 4800 A/m / Shock Resistant 7500G's
Stainless Steel taper Case, Double Deployant Clasp w. Ball RR Logo and decorative case back
Gas Tube Markers
Outer ring Super Luminova lit
Magnified Date Window
Patented Crown Protector
Certified Chronometer

Review: 1-10
Overall Quality - 10
Fit and finish - 10 but would give it an 11 compared to other brands
Time: 9 Keeps perfect chronometric time, however power reserve is under 40 hrs
Weight: 8 is substantial (did not have scale at time of review) Very comfortable on the wrist
Price for quality 10 (+2500 Retail)
NEW MODELS - Ariborne, GMT Magnate Chronograph
Colors - Black White, Cerulean Blue

Narrative:
This is probably my go to watch on a daily basis, I am hard on watches and this timepiece has been banged around sunk, dropped etc and its fits and finish and overall construction is outstanding. I have had this watch for over 3+ years and it still looks as good as it did the day it was purchased. it has been climbing, in the ocean, and parachuting and keeps on running. Other than the annual cleaning and polishing of the band it has been one of the best watches I have ever owned. Many call the Ball watch line "plain Jane" but with it's Heritage in the Railroad industry it is a timeless classic and can be worn with Jeans and a t-shirt or as dressy as you want to make it. I am not a watch reviewer in general , so I have probably missed some things, so feel free to ask. I would recommend any of the BALL Watch Line as it is not a boutique brand and have a style that ill fit whatever you are looking for

Pictures: ( please note these were taken with my cell phone )

View attachment 510993
$magnate1.jpg
$magnate 1.jpg
$magnate 2.jpg

More Pics on Reply post
 

Toothpick

Needs milk and a bidet!
Staff member
dang this is awesome! Thanks for the amazing review.
That watch is hella cool
 
Nice review...I've stared at Ball watches for a long time...particularly the Fireman series....very unique, yet solid pieces with good movements that can still be called tool watches for real use. So many high end watch manufacturers have killed the tool watch concept with too much bling.
 
Nice review...I've stared at Ball watches for a long time...particularly the Fireman series....very unique, yet solid pieces with good movements that can still be called tool watches for real use. So many high end watch manufacturers have killed the tool watch concept with too much bling.

Yep the only high end watch I have had that is literally trouble free and built to get punished Thanks.
 

garyg

B&B membership has its percs
Thanks for the exhaustive review, great looking watch! Love the historical aspect of these watches - I grew up in Cleveland so a taste of that is always welcome.
 
Wow, thanks for the write up and pics. That sure has it's own look to it. Ball watches strike me as having such a unique look/style to them, they're something you really have to see in person. The more I look at it, the more it grows on me - I can see it being one of those watches that you love more and more as years go on.

The big shocker for me was the tritium lume colors, which are KILLER. If it weren't for the fact that i've got two watches I can barely stand to peel off my wrist, i'd pick one of these up. That said, i'm sure one day - a Ball will follow me home :thumbup1:

Thanks again for the review!
 
I have a first generation Ball Night Train with error dial and it is an outstanding watch. It might lose a second per month. Very accurate. Don't wear it nearly as often as the speedy, but it just can't be beat for dark environments. Love the lume.

Thanks for the review. Ball watches are great and seem to have made a name for themselves judging by how much they've gone up in price over the years.
 
Thanks for the write up and pictures, especially the lume/tritium gas tube photo and caseback photo. Having the different timezones (major cities) engraved on the caseback instead of the dial is a nice touch.
 
Top Bottom