The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Anybody have any experience with Ball watches. I may have fallen in love (maybe just a crush) with the Trainmaster Cannonball.

http://basel.watchprosite.com/show-nblo ... ti-361682/

I don't know much about the brand, other than what I've read on the Interweb. Has anyone owned one? I went to the store and they didn't have that one in stock, but they had a similar one in the series and it looked pretty nice.

Any advice or experiences are welcome.

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Coral Dial SuperOcean
Black Dial Avenger Skyland
Arctica Dial Bentley G/T Racing

Coral Club Founding Father

I have always loved Ball Watches. They are very tough, rugged watches. What I like most about them is the tritium insert tubes for lume, which is 100x brighter and lasts something like 20 years longer than luminescent paint. I favored these over Luminox, because I am a huge fan of mechanical watches. I never cared for their braceletes (just not my style) but their leather straps are very nice.

I never pulled the trigger on buying one because the model I liked used an unmodified ETA movement. I would have much preferred an ETA base worked over. So I wound up passing on them, but your post has suddenly peaked my interests again.

I do like Ball watches.. they have a substantial discount in the Carribean.. 40% off!

They are a great bang for buck watch, but the movements are mostly unmodified unfortunately. I have a review on one in my blog somewhere.

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BreitlingSource Admin
http://www.breitlingsource.com - http://blog.breitlingsource.com

You really like a chronograph, where the date is set very low (with a magnifying glass) just at the position, where You normaly have the second hand of the chronograph?
Always start the chronograph, before You read the date?

BG
Thomas

Nice watch. I like those clean lines and classic feel, the blue hands add a modern touch and are very classy! Great looking piece.

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Certified watch nut.

Although the overall apperance attracts me, I must agree with Thomas - a bit unpractical if you don't run the chrono continously.

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

I'd heard of Ball, but not seen any of them till this post. Very nice, and they've got quite a few original features going on there.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

That's a great point about the date window and chrono hand -- not one I would have thought of -- definitely something I would like to see in real life before I buy.

And I completely agree with you, MikeH, about the bracelets. I very much prefer it on the brown croc strap.

As for the movement (you can read all the details on that site), in this case they have modified it from a 30-minute collector to a 45-minute collector at 9:00. Not a feature I really need, but it's a bit different and interesting. Also the seconds subdial is at 3:00, which is unusual.
They must be proud of it, it's got an exhibition back!

Those are some good things to think about. I really appreciate the input. Sometimes I just get get blinded by my first impression of a watch, so it helps to have a set of impartial eyes take a look.

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Coral Dial SuperOcean
Black Dial Avenger Skyland
Arctica Dial Bentley G/T Racing

Coral Club Founding Father

looked at ball watches a while back...no decent dealers near me but when its holiday time (USA) I might have a look for a dealer there and check out the night train one....so many traser vials you can read a book by it at night!.....looks fun and not too pricey.

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John

Current:- Navi World, Coral SO, Panerai 219, Sea Dweller, Suunto Core etc

CORAL CLUB FOUNDING FATHER

That one would be nice. If it had a black crown as well.

BG
Thomas

I've seen a few, and they are VERY luminous. Nice looking pieces. Great divers watch.

~Brian

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Breitling Super Avenger
Fortis Flieger Chronograph
Rolex Submariner Date