There can be a lot of posturing (and marketing speak) when it comes to talking about how rough and tough a watch is. Sure, there’s all the stuff like water, shock, and magnetism resistance, and those are good. But has your watch stopped a literal bullet? The original version of the Ball Engineer Master II Ballistic Diver has!
Ball Engineer Master II Ballistic Diver: what it is
The Ball Engineer Master II Ballistic Diver is an evolution of the Ball Engineer Master II Diver (note the lack of “Ballistic”). This is a dual-crown dive watch, with one of the crowns used to set the internal dive bezel , and of course all of the tritium that Ball is known for. So, why the word Ballistic in this new model?
Turns out, there was a police officer on duty wearing the original version. Long story short, a 9mm bullet made contact with the officers watch (instead of the officer), ostensibly saving their life. So, sure, they can’t list out “bullet proof” in the tech specs, but hinting at it in the model name, that we can let slide.
That internal dive bezel
I think my favorite element of the Ball Engineer Master II Ballistic Diver (other than the model name back story) is the internal bezel on the watch. Yes, watches have had those before, and having them illuminated, again, not new. What I like about this design is the domed/bubbled look the dive bezel has, which of course calls to mind the Fifty Fathoms, which is a look I always enjoy. Here, it adds another bit of light catching to the flat surfaces under the sapphire crystal, and I am a fan.
Wrapping things up
I also don’t think it hurts that the Ball Engineer Master II Ballistic Diver has the cyclops on the date window – my eyes appreciate the assist. While Ball can’t guarantee that this watch will stop a bullet, it can do all sorts of stuff to keep the movement safe (see the full list down below).
The Ball Engineer Master II Ballistic Diver is a limited edition of 1000 pieces, coming in two different movement levels. The non-chronometer version of the watch is $2,299, while going for the higher accuracy takes it up to $2,599. Check out the details, and pre-order yours, directly at ballwatch.ch
Ball Engineer Master II Ballistic Diver Tech Specs
- Model Number
- DM2280A-S6-BK (non-chronometer)
- DM2280A-S6C-BK (chronometer)
- Limited Edition 1,000 pieces
- Movement: Automatic caliber BALL RR1101 (non-chronometer) / RR1101-C (chronometer)
- Functions
- 48 micro gas tubes on hour, minute and second hands, dial and inner bezel for night reading capability
- Shock resistant to 5,000Gs
- Anti-magnetic to 1,000 Gauss / 80,000A/m
- Water resistant to 300m/1,000ft
- Hours, minutes, sweep seconds and magnified date
- Case
- Stainless steel
- Ø 42mm, height 13.5mm
- Bi-directional rotating sapphire inner bezel with micro gas tubes for night reading capability
- Mu-metal shield
- Amortiser® patented anti-shock system
- Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
- Screwed-in crown
- Band Stainless steel bracelet with folding buckle
- Dial: Black
- Recommended Retail price
- DM2280A-S6-BK (non-chronometer): US$ 2,299.-
- DM2280A-S6C-BK (chronometer): US$ 2,599.-
