BALL Engineer Master II Skindiver II Ref. DM3108A-S1CJ-BK 500m Diver 43mm Swiss

The launch of this watch followed the creation of the “Underwater Society of America” in 1959. This public organization is responsible for promotional work and providing training about diving, as well as organizing competitions. A practice dating back several thousand years, diving developed as a sport and method for exploring the seabed after the Second World War. It gradually split into two codes: scuba diving and skin diving or free diving.

For many years now, BALL Watch has played a pioneering role in the design of diver’s watches, especially through its extraordinary partnership with the multiple world champion constant weight freediver Guillaume Néry. This outstanding human and technical exploit has been a source of inspiration for an entire range of diver’s watches at the cutting edge of modern watchmaking technology. Once again, BALL Watch is proud to introduce a new model into the ranks of the Engineer Master II collection, paying tribute both to the history of the watch itself and to the heritage of underwater exploration.

This timepiece combines a resolutely vintage 1960s design with the codes and technology of contemporary watchmaking. The development of this new model led to a stainless steel case of more than adequate dimensions, with a 43mm diameter and a height of 14mm. The water-resistance of the Engineer Master II Skindiver II  Ref. DM3108A-S1CJ-BK, an essential feature of any diver’s watch, carries an effective water-resistance rating of 500 meters accompanied by an additional helium release valve at the left side of the case, ready for saturation diving expeditions. The use of a timepiece at such depths underneath the surface made it necessary to fit the case with a screw-in crown and case-back for a water tight seal. As per Ball’s timepiece, the 60s diver has impeccable finishings with intricate satin-brush at the top to the sides, separated with high-polished bevel lines for the added contrast. A Ball patented Mu-metal shield for unsurpassed anti-magnetic of up to 80,000A/m. and shock resistant to 5000Gs.

Now let’s get a little more tacky. The unidirectional rotating ceramic bezel which features for the first time in this collection bears luminous for exceptional nighttime legibility. This is Ball’s marvel at best where both “vintage” aesthetics cross the path of modern technology. Further, being a unidirectional rotation of the bezel is a necessary safety guarantee for any diver’s instrument, since it prevents any unintended maneuver from accidentally prolonging the indication of the time available for returning to the surface.

The black dial is freed from all superfluous features to make the essential information immediately accessible during a dive. The very structure of the dial has been re-designed by incorporating a circular flange on which the minute scale is marked out. The hour markers on the dial are fitted with eight of BALL’s Signature nano-tubes of self-illuminating H3 gas in a baton shape and four smaller scale tubes on the minute track for easy orientation in the dark. Similarly, additional sets of slim nano-tubes are applied to the syringe style handsets, beautifully contrasted with a striking orange seconds hand for an attractive pop of color on the dial. All these led to the state-of-the-art Swiss technology enabling the watch’s indications to remain visible even in the darkness of the ocean depths. A typical feature of the technical performance of BALL watches, these microtubes require no outside source of light and are up to 100 times more effective than conventional luminous paints.

Renowned for its precision and accuracy, a Swiss-made automatic BALL RR1103-C movement drives the basic hours, minutes, sweep seconds and date functions of the timepiece. This caliber complies with the criteria of the prestigious chronometer standard authorized by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), a guarantee of Swiss accuracy and reliability.

Finally, With more than a decade in selling, trading and buying watches throughout the globe, there is an etiquette to this sport; “what’s your bottom/best price” doesn’t fit and is obnoxious.  Yes, it makes the rest of us talk about you.  Don’t be that guy… that guy is ignored.