The Ball Engineer Roadmaster Pilot GMT Green offers a unique take on a true GMT

Time+Tide

• The new Ball Engineer Roadmaster Pilot GMT Hulk comes with a green-on-green colour scheme, a quick-set date, and a true GMT caliber 
• It has a compact case of 40mm made of lightweight titanium 
• The new Roadmaster Pilot GMT Hulk is limited to 1,000 pieces 

GMT watches are becoming increasingly popular, and brands big and small are taking their best shot at it. There are basically two types of GMTs – the “traveller” or “true” GMT that has a jumping local hour hand, and the “caller” GMT that has a jumping GMT hand. Both types come with their pluses and minuses. The major shortcoming of true GMT watches is that they don’t come with a quick-set date, as one has to rotate the local hour hand until the correct date is displayed. However, Ball created a new way to make a true GMT calibre easier to use, which is one of the two major highlights of the new Roadmaster Pilot GMT Green. 

Seeing three pushers on a watch is most commonly seen on chronographs, where the pushers are usually placed on the same side as the crown. The new Ball Roadmaster Pilot GMT Green comes with a twist – there are two pushers on the left side that control the local hour hand. Pressing on the pusher at 8 o’clock jumps the local hour hand backwards while pressing on the pusher at 10 jumps the local hour hand forward. This is a quick and convenient way to adjust the local hour when landing in a new time zone. Furthermore, the quick-set date is made possible using the crown, unlike many true GMT calibres. This is made possible thanks to the COSC-certified Ball calibre RR1204-C, based on the Sellita SW220 or ETA 2836 industry workhorse calibres.

Ball is known for making robust watches and the new Roadmaster Pilot GMT Green is no different. The case is made of titanium and measures 40mm in diameter, 47.8mm lug-to-lug, 14mm in height and has a20mm lug width. The tapering bracelet is made of titanium with a stainless-steel clasp. Described as the ultimate pilot’s watch, the Roadmaster Pilot GMT has a sapphire sandwich construction, while the bi-directional GMT bezel insert is made of scratch-resistant ceramic. Furthermore, one can feel comfortable diving with the Roadmaster Pilot GMT given the fact that it has 300 metres of water resistance thanks to a screw-down crown and case-back. 

Looks wise, the Roadmaster Pilot GMT Green completely follows Ball’s aesthetic. The versions that already exist come in various colours, and this new one shines thanks to its elegant green-on-green colour scheme. The applied hour markers and hands are equipped with the brand’s micro gas tubes that glow a bright green and orange. The hour markers at the 12, 6, and 9 are displayed with Arabic numerals for ultimate legibility, white the date window at the 3 o’clock is topped with a piece of magnifying glass. The modern-looking dauphine hands have square tips, while the tip of the GMT hand has been skeletonised. To guarantee ultimate practicality, there are two GMT scales, one on the bi-directional bezel and one printed on the sloped rehaut. 

Compared to the other colour variants, the Hulk appears more restrained and versatile. The rich green dial and shiny green ceramic bezel insert create a monochrome appearance that contrasts nicely with the silver and white accents of the dial and bezel. There is a certain harmony emanating from this new variant that will certainly please those who are looking for a more classic look whilst being guaranteed a solid piece of horology. Ball has created a unique visual DNA over the past decades and it is nice to see how the brand has evolved to continue offering reliable watches that look like no other.

The Ball Roadmaster Pilot GMT Green pricing and availability:

The Ball Roadmaster Pilot GMT Hulk is available for pre-orders now until the 10th of May 2023. Price: US$2,799 (pre-order), US$3,249 (RRP).

Brand	Ball
Model	Roadmaster Pilot GMT Hulk
Case Dimensions	40mm x 47.8mm x 14mm
Case Material	Titanium
Water Resistance	300m
Crystal(s)	Sapphire
Dial	Green
Lug Width	20mm
Strap	Titanium & stainless steel bracelet
Movement	RR1204-C
Power Reserve	42 hours
Availability	Available for pre-orders until 10th of May
Price	US$2,799 USD (pre-order) / US$3,249 (RRP)