Pre-order Alert: Ball Roadmaster First Responder

It’s been a minute since we’ve had Ball on our pages. They’ve still been releasing watches, and some – while interesting – have been variants on existing models that we’ve already talked about. However, they recently put something up for pre-order that has some ingenious tricks up it’s sleeves. Meet the Ball Roadmaster First Responder.

Now, the Ball Roadmaster line, that we know. What about that First Responder part though – what does that mean? Well, it’s actually due to them having pulsemeter and asthmometer scales printed around the dial, plus a very intriguing mechanism that allows the main bezel to control the inner bezel. Here’s how Ball explains it:

The external bezel’s ceramic ring features a virtually-scratchproof surface, graduated for 60-minute countdowns and designed to track the “golden hour” when emergency crews arrive on scene to administer life-saving care. Equipped with a micro gas tube pip and Super-LumiNOVA coating, the bezel is easy to set and read in total darkness. Efficient timekeeping extends to the inner bezel’s count-up markings, the first 10 markings is highlighted in red. This lets you track the “platinum ten” – the first ten minutes after trauma in which first aid is critical.

The ingenious case structure allows for a simple turn of the external bezel to engage either bezel. Simply rotate the bezel counterclockwise to start the countdown, or turn it clockwise to set the inner bezel for tracking elapsed time.

On the dial’s chapter ring, two scales add even more functionality to life-saving missions. The pulsometer scale, graduated to 15 pulsations, enables you to measure a person’s heart rate. When the red sweep hand hits the 12 o’clock mark, count 15 heart beats. On the 15th beat, the hand points to the pulse rate per minute. On the other half of the ring, the respiratory scale lets you measure breaths per minute. When one end of the red sweep hand passes the 6 o’clock mark, count five breaths and then read the corresponding number on the ring. The two-ended sweeping second hand is always near the starting point of both scales, thus eliminate the need to wait a full minute before activating the measurements. This simplified design also allows for reading the vital information at a glance, as in any rescue mission, every second counts.

So, yes, this Ball is definitely designed for a purpose. For those of us who just like a GMT complication and lots of glowing colors – we’re not the ones that the Ball Roadmaster First Responder is aimed it. I mean, yes, it would get the job done, but then we’d totally be ignoring the additional health scales that show up on it. If you could make good use of those, however, then you’ve got until September 6th to get your pre-order in. With an exihibition caseback, you’ll be paying $2,799, while the clever locking system boosts the price to $2,949; delivery is anticipated for February – March 2024. Check out the range, and order your own, directly at ballwatch.ch

Tech Specs from Ball

LIMITED EDITION: 1000
MOVEMENT
- Automatic caliber BALL RR1302
- 42 hours power reserve indication
- Special movement oil to endure -45°C / -49°F
SIZE (CASE): Ø 41mm, height 12.9mm

WATER RESISTANCE: 200m/660ft
ANTI-MAGNETISM: 4,800A/m
MICRO GAS TUBES: 16 micro gas tubes on hour, minute, GMT hand and dial for night reading capability

FUNCTIONS
- Pulsemeter graduated for 15 pulsations
- Asthmometer graduated for 5 respirations
- GMT
- Hours, minutes, sweep seconds and magnified date
- 5,000Gs shock resistance

CASE MATERIAL
- Titanium
- Bi-directional rotating stainless steel bezel with ceramic insert and gas tube inset
- Count-up and countdown markings
- Sapphire crystal transparent case back
- Amortiser® patented anti-shock system or exhibition caseback

CROWN: Screwed-in crown
CRYSTAL: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
DIAL COLOR: Black