INTRODUCING: The Ball Engineer Master II Diver Chronometer comes in 6 lip-smacking flavours
Fergus Nash- The new Ball Engineer Master II Diver Chronometer has an internal bezel with domed sapphire.
- The internal bezel can be used underwater.
- Six colour options include green and blue in sunburst, and blue or brown matte gradients.
It’s probably fair to say that the dive watch is as played out a genre you can find in modern watchmaking, but there are those that prove you don’t need any crazy gimmicks to make something great in 2023. The new Ball Engineer Master II Diver Chronometer uses the power of perfect proportions and purposeful styling to create something thoroughly new while retaining some nostalgic tendencies. As if that wasn’t enough, they’ve also made it available in six different colour options.
There’s no such thing as the ideal case for a dive watch, but Ball Watch Co. have a pretty good idea of how to get close. Radial brushing graces the surface of the slender lugs, with a subtle polished bevel that travels between the two tips on either side. The walls of the external bezel is also polished, which helps to reduce the visual effect of the added height necessary to accommodate the internal one. Although it may not be linked to diving, both of the crowns are signed with Ball’s historic “RR” logo signifying their roots in the American railroads. It’s quite a wearable watch as well, with the 42mm diameter being tamed by a 49mm lug-to-lug and thickness of 13.5mm. The width of the internal bezel helps to make the watch look a little bit smaller on-wrist too, as the dial only has so much diameter to fill. The bracelet with polished centres and brushed outers does extend the length a bit because of the protruding end link, but its curvature helps it conform to the wrist. If that’s still a concern to you, then you can always opt for the rubber strap or find your own 21mm strap replacement.
Speaking of that internal bezel, it’s quite a clever one. Although it’s not at risk of being scratched below the case’s domed sapphire crystal, it has a convex sapphire crystal of its own to capture that vintage feel and give off some pretty reflections. That said, once it’s underwater it’s nothing but practical. The crown’s luminosity is constantly aglow thanks to the use of micro tritium gas tubes, for which you can choose either the classic green and yellow colours or the rainbow assortment. The dial of the Ball Engineer Master II Diver Chronometer itself is typical Ball style, with the blocky hour markers, fencepost hands, date window with a cyclops magnifier, and the ornate counterbalance on the seconds hand. There’s also a neat minute track tucked between the dial and the bezel. We’re spoiled for choice when it comes to colour, with a versatile black, sunburst green and blue, matte blue or brown gradients, and a black dial with a white bezel.
Powering the Ball Engineer Master II Diver Chronometer is the calibre RR1101-C, which is a modified version of the ETA 2892-A2 that has been certified to chronometer standards by COSC. This means that you’re guaranteed timekeeping performance within -4/+6 seconds per day, a 4Hz beat rate for a smooth sweep and a 42-hour power reserve. The case also preserves the movement against magnetism, with a resistance up to 1,000 Gauss, as well as a 300m water resistance rating. The internal bezel is operable underwater, using a push-and-twist function which prevents it from being knocked accidentally out of alignment.
The Ball Engineer Master II Diver Chronometer pricing and availability:
The Ball Engineer Master II Diver Chronometer is now available for pre-order from Ball’s website here, with special prices until March 8th. Price: US$2,199 (steel bracelet – RRP US$2,599) / US$2,099 (rubber strap – RRP US$2,499)
| Brand | Ball |
| Model | Engineer Master II Diver Chronometer |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm x 49mm x 13.5mm |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 300m |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Black, green, blue, blue gradient, brown gradient |
| Lug Width | 21mm |
| Strap | Steel bracelet or rubber strap |
| Movement | RR1101-C |
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Availability | Available for pre-order now |
| Price | Steel Bracelet RRP $2,599 (Pre Order US$2,199) / Rubber Strap RRP US$2,499 (Pre-Order – $2,099) |