Someone in the Ball design department seems to have my number, as this new Ball Engineer M Pioneer has all of the things I like about their watches in one place. Or, maybe I’m just another sheep in the herd, and happen to like a lot of things other folks like. Regardless, there’s another new technical innovation hiding in this watch.
What innovation is that? Well, it’s the movement, one that goes by the name Chronometer Manufacture Caliber RRM7309-S. Just rolls of the tongue, doesn’t it? That aside, it’s got some rather nice tricks up it’s sleeve, whether or not you’re super in to the details of the movement, such as:
- An accuracy range of -2/+5 seconds per day
- A silicon balance spring
- 2,500 Gauss anti-magnetism
Now, the anti-magnetism isn’t anything that new for the brand, but it certainly is helped by the presence of that silicon balance spring (all the cool kids are using them these days, it seems). All in the name of accuracy, which is where Ball (and the railroad watches) started out. For us, these days, it’s that chronometer rating that’s the important bit, with the watch keeping fairly accurate over the course of the month, provided you keep it wound and running within it’s 80-hour power reserve.
While I do like a good power reserve, for me, the Ball Engineer M Pioneer hits on styling. I’ve grown accustomed to their bracelets, and dial-wise, you’ve got that clean layout with the three-hander, and plenty of tritium tubes. They’ve been doing more with the “rainbow” arrangement, and we’re working on getting one in to see in person (but yeah, that’s the layout I’d order). All of it is tucked into a 40mm case (just 13mm thick) which is a very versatile size, and my eyes really appreciate the cyclops on the date window. Well, even if they didn’t, it’s a detail I like to see on a watch, and something that I’ve become a fan of, though it can be divisive.
You’ve only got 1,000 pieces being made (I presume it’s of each variety) so you’re not likely to run across another in the wild. There’s a lot to like here in this watch (at least for me), and it gives you another option in the wider Ball catalog. Pre-order pricing puts it at $3,149, a discount of $550 off of the MSRP. You can check out the details, and pre-order your own, over at ballwatch.ch
Tech Specs from Ball
- LIMITED EDITION: 1000
- WEIGHT: Approx. 180g
- MOVEMENT
- Automatic BALL Manufacture caliber RRM7309-S
- Chronometer certified COSC
- 80 hours Power Reserve, 28,800vph
- SIZE (CASE): Ø 40mm, height 13mm
- WATER RESISTANCE: 100m/330ft
- ANTI-MAGNETISM: 2,500 Gauss
- MICRO GAS TUBES: 51 micro gas tubes on hour, minute and second hands and dial for night reading capability
- FUNCTIONS: Hours, minutes, sweep seconds and magnified date
- CASE MATERIAL
- 904L stainless steel
- Sapphire crystal transparent case back
- Amortiser® patented anti-shock system
- CROWN: Screwed-in crown
- CRYSTAL: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
- DIAL COLOR: Blue, Green, or Black
- BRACELET: 904L stainless steel bracelet
- LUG WIDTH: 20mm
- LUG TO LUG: Approx. 46.6mm
