Ball Watch pursues toughness, and the mystery of the "Engineer Hydrocarbon Submarine Warfare Black MOP"

The Ball Watch Engineer Hydrocarbon Submarine Warfare Black MOP is highly shock-resistant, waterproof, and anti-magnetic. How are these high specs achieved? We explore the appeal of Ball Watch by unraveling its unique technology.

Why are Ball watches so tough?

　Ball Watch has its roots in American railroad watches. However, in recent years, starting with the introduction of self-luminous micro gas lights, the brand has begun to emphasize toughness. This is exemplified by the high-end model "Engineer Hydrocarbon." In addition to the high visibility provided by the micro gas light, this model also boasts significantly improved shock resistance, magnetic resistance, and water resistance. Based on this model, Ball Watch has completed the "Submarine Warfare," a diver's watch with even improved performance. This time, we will introduce the Japan-limited model of the Submarine Warfare.

Overwhelming impact resistance

　Since the introduction of Hydrocarbon, Ball Watch has been working on improving shock resistance. Of course, this is something that other companies are working on, but the Ball way is to work on the movement as well as the case. For example, the "spring lock shockproof system" prevents deformation of the balance spring. This mechanism, which prevents the balance spring from getting tangled in the regulator even when subjected to a strong impact, is now one of a kind.

　By incorporating this system, Ball Watch watches theoretically boast the same shock resistance as watches with free-sprung balances. The ring supporting the movement is made of a resilient elastomer material, meaning it can withstand a 1.5m drop onto a wooden floor without sustaining damage. This shock resistance of 7500Gs is the highest level among mechanical watches.

　The Engineer Hydrocarbon Submarine Warfare Black MOP, boasting 300m water resistance, is a symbol of Ball Watch's efforts. To achieve 300m water resistance, the elastomer-inserted middle ring was deliberately omitted, resulting in a robust case. The spring lock shock-proof system was also omitted to simplify the movement structure. Of course, the various systems developed by Ball Watch are extremely robust. However, the company deliberately simplified the mechanism, considering that this is a diver's watch. Despite this, the shock resistance remains the same as before, at 7500Gs.

　There are several reasons why this watch has such a simple structure yet is highly shock-resistant. One is the "Safety Lock Crown System" that covers the crown. If the watch receives a strong impact, the shock is transmitted through the crown and can damage the movement. For this reason, some sports watches use a jointed winding stem that cuts the connection between the crown and the movement. In contrast, Ball Watch has switched to a jointed winding stem and provided a sturdy cover for the crown in order to reduce the number of parts around the crown while still providing the same or greater shock resistance.

　In addition, the bow tube that secures the bracelet is now two-point fastening. Normally, it's one-point fastening, but there's a risk that it could come off if it receives an impact. So Ball Watch not only changed it to a two-point fastening, but also modified it so that it can only be removed with a special tool.

　The approach to increasing the overall shock resistance of the watch can also be seen in the unique extension buckle. A normal buckle only needs to withstand a load of 25 kg when locked. In contrast, the buckle used in this watch can withstand a load of approximately 140 kg (1400 Newtons). What's more, this buckle has an extension function that adds 11 mm to each side, for a total of 22 mm. Normally, adding an extension makes a buckle more prone to breaking. However, Ball Watch has not only incorporated multiple functions, but has also created a buckle that is extremely sturdy.

Safety lock crown system for 300m water resistance

　The Engineer Hydrocarbon Submarine Warfare boasts a high water resistance of 300m, befitting a diver's watch. Compared to the previous Engineer Hydrocarbon, the case has been enlarged by 2mm, and the shock-resistant ring has been eliminated, improving water resistance by 100m. This model also differs in its sapphire crystal. The anti-reflective coated sapphire crystal is 3.8mm thick, comparable to a 500m water-resistant diver's watch. While this thickness may be considered excessive given the watch's water resistance, it is a typical specification from Ball Watch, which strives for high performance.

　The "Safety Lock Crown System," which we also mentioned in the section on shock resistance, also contributes to improved water resistance. The crown is a standard screw-down type. However, what's unusual is that if you don't screw it all the way in, the crown will interfere with the cover and you won't be able to tighten it properly. This may seem obvious, but the Safety Lock Crown System is the only cover that takes this into consideration. This means that the problem of not tightening it properly, which is a common issue with screw-down crowns, almost never occurs.

　In fact, the patent document for the Safety Lock Crown System (Swiss Patent CH701884A2) states, "Due to the characteristics of the box according to the present invention, the protective lever 10 will inevitably be in an open state when the crown is not screwed in." This not only improves water resistance, but also provides a structure that ensures its functionality. That's the kind of thinking that Ball Watches have.

Mu-metal provides high magnetic resistance of 8 A/m

　In addition, this diver's watch has a high level of magnetic resistance, at 8 A/m. However, the method used to achieve this is a classic one: the entire movement is covered with an anti-magnetic cover to allow magnetism to escape. This mechanism is quite common, but it is a very effective method when using a standard ébauche, as it does not require any modifications to the movement itself. However, adding an anti-magnetic cover inside the case inevitably makes the watch heavier.

　However, the Mumetal developed by Ball Watch has different properties from ordinary soft iron. This allows the antimagnetic case to be thin despite its high magnetic resistance. This is one of the reasons why this diver's watch, with its 300m water resistance and 8 A/m magnetic resistance, is able to fit into a standard 42mm diameter. If it had a standard soft iron inner case, the case would have been over 45mm thick. The extraordinary thing about this watch is that it manages to pack high performance into a usable size.

"High specs" are proof of being the best companion

　This watch is undoubtedly one of the toughest watches available today, boasting a shock resistance of 7500Gs, water resistance of 300m, and magnetic resistance of 8A/m. Its high accuracy, meeting COSC chronometer standards, and the exceptional low-light readability characteristic of Ball watches further enhance its appeal.

　However, as mentioned above, this isn't just a tough watch. Its 42mm diameter makes it suitable for everyday use, and the MOP dial and rotating bezel with a ceramic ring give it a quality feel that exceeds its price. The Engineer Hydrocarbon Submarine Warfare Black MOP offers all this at just over 300,000 yen. It's the perfect choice for anyone looking for a tough and fun watch.