I’ve not made any secret of the fact that I like Ball’s implementation of tritium tubes, as well as the fact that I like a solid GMT complication on a watch. So, right out of the gate, the Ball Roadmaster M Model A was going to catch my eye. And then they go ahead and put a very unexpected complication in that really makes this an intriguing watch.
Ball Roadmaster M Model A: the additional complication
Inside the case of the Ball Roadmaster M Model A is the RRM7379 automatic movement. This, of course, enables the time, date, and 24-hour GMT indications on the dial. A closer look reveals that there’s a fifth hand on the dial. What’s that for? For indicating where you’ve set your alarm for.
That’s right – while they’re more of a rarity these days, this Ball design has implemented a mechanical alarm, set in 5-minute intervals, and controlled and wound by the crown at 4 o’clock. It’s a 12-hour window, so you’ll be setting it for, say, when you want to wake up in the morning. From reading the press release, they appear to have done some things with the design that makes it less of a cricket noise, and more something akin to a school bell going off (we’ll see once we can get a review loaner in).
All the rest of the goodies
The mechanical alarm is a neat trick, and given that it’s the first one we’ve seen from Ball, it’s not surprising that only 333 are being made. Still, it makes things unique, and definitely intriguing (at least to me). To further ice that cake, they’ve implemented a very colorful multi-hued selection of tritium tubes on the dial and hands, which will make for quite the light show. This includes their very good tritium-illuminated ceramic bezel.
The dial itself keeps things crisp and legible with a white-on-black color scheme, and the date display has – thankfully, for my eyes – a cyclops over it. In short, it’s almost like they were designing a watch aimed directly at me, somehow. Combine that with a 41mm case diameter, and this is going to be a very compelling travel watch.
Wrapping things up
As we mentioned, this is a limited-edition model. Pre-orders for the Ball Roadmaster M Model A are opening up on October 31. If you want to pick one up, it’ll be commanding $6,299, and looks like it comes stock on the bracelet, with the option for some additonal straps. You can check out all the details, and get your pre-order in, directly at ballwatch.ch
Ball Roadmaster M Model A Tech Specs
- Model Number: DA9100C-S1-BKR
- Limited Edition: 333 pieces
- Movement: Automatic manufacture caliber BALL RRM7379
- Functions
- 29 micro gas tubes on hour, minute and GMT hands and dial for night reading capability
- AlarmMATIC® patented 12-hour automatic mechanical alarm
- Luminous three time zone indication
- Shock resistant to 5,000Gs
- Anti-magnetic to 4,800A/m
- Water resistant to 100m/330ft
- Hours, minutes, sweep seconds and magnified date
- Case
- 904L stainless steel
- Ø 41mm, height 15.2mm
- Luminous ceramic bidirectional rotating bezel
- Amortiser® patented anti-shock system
- Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
- Sapphire crystal transparent case back
- Screwed-in crowns with double-gasket
- Band: Tapered stainless steel bracelet with folding buckle
- Dial: Black with rainbow gas tubes
- Retail price: US$ 6,299
- Availability: Pre-order starts on October 31st, 2024
