There are many different types of stainless steel, even when it comes to the materials used in watches.
Among these, 904L steel is the material that attracts watch enthusiasts with its high corrosion resistance and white color. Ball Watch will be using this material from 2019.
Text by Yuto Hosoda (Chronos Japan)
The white brilliance of practical materials
Stainless steel is an essential material for practical watches. It is more scratch-resistant and lightweight than 18K gold, and easier to work with than titanium. It can also be re-polished, which is impossible with non-metallic materials like ceramics and carbon, so it's no wonder that it has long been a popular material for watch cases.
However, there are a huge number of types of stainless steel. Just looking at the types used in watches, there are many variations, such as 304L, 316L (known as medical steel), and even steel with a unique composition specific to each brand, so you can see how familiar this material is with watches.
When evaluating stainless steel as an exterior material, the two key considerations are durability and aesthetics. The former often refers to resistance to corrosion from seawater and sweat, while the latter refers to the color of the material. And the material that combines these two qualities at a high level is 904L steel, which Ball Watch has been using in some models since 2019.
Marvelite Chronometer & Ohio Chronometer
The 904L steel used in the "Marvelite Chronometer" and "Ohio Chronometer" watches has the same composition as the highly corrosion-resistant 316L, but with increased nickel, molybdenum, and copper content for even greater corrosion resistance. Its high chromium content also gives it a lustrous white shine when polished. Its hardness and tensile strength make it an ideal material for watch exteriors, but this tensile strength also comes at the cost of being difficult to process. As a result, 904L steel is only used by a few brands with a reputation for their exteriors, such as Rolex, Girard-Perregaux, Sinn, and Naoya Hida & Co.
This is a revamped classic model. At first glance, it looks the same as before, but the stainless steel used has been changed from 316L to 904L, and improvements have been made, including obtaining chronometer certification. It can be purchased using the QR code on the bottom right. Automatic (Cal. RR1103-C). 25 or 26 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve: approximately 38 hours. Stainless steel (diameter 40mm, thickness 13.2mm). Water resistant to 100m. Price: 286,000 yen.
With this in mind, let's take a look at the exteriors of the Marvelite Chronometer and Ohio Chronometer. The exteriors of both models share a completely identical design, with the case, bezel, case back, and bracelet all crafted from 904L. The color is immediately apparent when you look at the polished surface of the case. Its gleaming white finish sets it apart from typical stainless steel cases, evoking a sense of luxury unimaginable at its ¥286,000 price tag. Additionally, 904L's high hardness and scratch resistance ensure that this shine will last. Considering the watch's character as a practical watch designed for everyday wear—with a magnetic resistance of 80,000 A/m, shock resistance of 5000 Gs, and a COSC-certified chronometer movement—many people will likely find its high scratch resistance more appealing than its luxurious color.
This sister model shares the same exterior as the Marvelite Chronometer, but features a more classic dial design. Micro gas lights are placed on the minute scale around the outer periphery of the index, marking five-minute increments. Automatic winding (Cal. RR1103-C). 25 or 26 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 38 hours. Stainless steel (diameter 40mm, thickness 13.2mm). Water resistant to 100m. Priced at 286,000 yen.
The bracelet is simple, yet shows the robust construction that is characteristic of Ball Watch. Of particular note is the link adjustment system, which, as mentioned above, uses a screw-down system despite the material being difficult to process, demonstrating the company's philosophy of pursuing practicality.
The alluring, high-performance 904L steel radiates a radiant white light. The Marvelite Chronometer and Ohio Chronometer use the same material for their exteriors, infusing new individuality into Ball Watch's practical watches, which tend to have a strong image of being simple and sturdy. Furthermore, while manufacturing costs may be increasing, strategic pricing remains unchanged. Looking for a reasonably priced, high-quality watch with a luxurious exterior that can be used casually for daily use? These two models will fulfill that desire.
Four recommended models for summer 2022
Marvelite Chronometer (286,000 yen)
The perfect watch for those who want a versatile watch that can be used in any situation.
The Marvelite Chronometer is a tool watch with a simple design featuring three hands and a date display. The extra-thick bar indexes and the three hands are illuminated with micro gaslight, a self-luminous material, ensuring high visibility not only in dark places but also under strong light sources. Combined with its high specifications of 100m water resistance and 80,000 A/m magnetic resistance, it can be worn with confidence in any situation.
The Marvelite Chronometer has a tool watch-like appearance, but one of its key features is the wide variety of dial colors available. In addition to the classic black dial, which provides excellent visibility due to the contrast with the indices and hands, the watch is available in five other colors, including trendy green and ice blue, as well as a deep red and a subdued blue.
The bright ice blue color is a perfect match for the 904L steel case, which is highly corrosion-resistant and has a white color reminiscent of precious metals. This is the model we highly recommend this year.
[View on the official website]
https://www.ballwatch.co.jp/item/marvelight-chronometer-blue/
Ohio Chronometer (286,000 yen)
The perfect watch for those who want to wear an antique watch on a daily basis
The Ohio Chronometer is a model based on the Marvelite Chronometer, with a modified dial. By making the Arabic numeral and triangular indexes slender, it has a classic design reminiscent of watches from the 1950s.
It is an unusual watch among Ball watches, which tend to have massive designs, but since it is based on the Ohio Chronometer, it naturally has more than enough specifications.
[View on the official website]
https://www.ballwatch.co.jp/item/nm9026c-s5cj-sl/
Trainmaster Secometer Pocket Watch (99,000 yen)
A modern railroad watch for those who want to easily enjoy the classic "Unitas" watch.
The Trainmaster Secometer Pocket Watch is a faithful reproduction of a railroad watch from the 1920s. The seconds display at 6 o'clock is displayed on a rotating disc rather than a small seconds hand. It's a typical Ball Watch model, with roots in railroad watches.
Equipped with the Caliber BALL RR2102, based on the Caliber ETA 6497, known to many enthusiasts as "Unitas," this pocket watch boasts a reasonable 45mm size. By limiting sales to online sales only, the watch is priced at under 10 yen, including tax. This is a strategic price considering the retail price of a typical Unitas-equipped watch. Up to 25 characters can be engraved on the case back. This is an online-only model.
[View on the official website]
https://www.ballwatch.co.jp/item/pw1098e-wh/
Nedu G5 (572,000 yen)
This is a watch that is recommended not only for divers but also for anyone who wants to wear a high-spec watch.
The Nedu G5 is a saturation diving watch with a water resistance of 600m and a helium escape valve. Its specifications make it a true diving tool for professionals, and it boasts a large case size of 44mm in diameter and 17.3mm thick. However, thanks to its lightweight Grade 5 titanium construction, the weight is kept to just 209g including the bracelet.
In addition, the titanium bracelet is equipped with an extension system, so it can accommodate subtle changes in the thickness of your wrist depending on the day. The watch fits snugly on the wrist and is so light that it's hard to believe it weighs just 209g.
[View on the official website]
https://www.ballwatch.co.jp/item/nedu-3/
