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Swiss
Aug 28, 2007 0:09:05 GMT -5
Post by jacques on Aug 28, 2007 0:09:05 GMT -5
OK-- I bought the ball trainmaster dual time, and I am very pleased with the purchase. So far the folks that have noticed it have commented that it is a beautiful watch. I couldn't agree more. Nonetheless, my friend, the watch enthusiast, commented that the watch might not be Swiss, and might actually be assembled in Asia. Can someone clarify this for me? The dial says Swiss, but it apparently has a "ball calibre 651." Does this mean ETA did not make the movement? Or that it is a swiss movement, but the watch was assembled elsewhere?
Not that I especially care, but given that I am dealing with Rolex snobs, I want to be able to defend myself. Again, I really like the watch ( and I guess that is all that matters).
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Swiss
Aug 28, 2007 5:05:39 GMT -5
Post by wally on Aug 28, 2007 5:05:39 GMT -5
Many watches that have "Swiss Made" printed on them may actually have their cases/bracelet/strap/spring bars made in Asia. Hamilton is one such company. To my understanding, the majority of the watch must be made and assembled in Switzerland for it to legally bear the distinction of Swiss Made. Unfortunately, I do not know the exact details but if you dig around the General Forum or the Reviews Forum, I'm sure you could find the exact specs. Boscoe and many of other forum members are experts on this matter. Hopefully, they'll visit this thread soon and lay out the specs.
With that said, I must admit I know very little about Ball Watches and I'm still in a learning phase. Since all Ball Watches are in fact Swiss Made, we at least know that the watch was assembled in Switzerland.
As for the production of individual parts used by the watch (especially casing and bracelet), I would love to know the answer as well.
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Swiss
Aug 28, 2007 7:27:58 GMT -5
Post by Scott D on Aug 28, 2007 7:27:58 GMT -5
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Swiss
Aug 28, 2007 9:08:09 GMT -5
Post by Jeremy from Ball on Aug 28, 2007 9:08:09 GMT -5
OK-- I bought the ball trainmaster dual time, and I am very pleased with the purchase. So far the folks that have noticed it have commented that it is a beautiful watch. I couldn't agree more. Nonetheless, my friend, the watch enthusiast, commented that the watch might not be Swiss, and might actually be assembled in Asia. Can someone clarify this for me? The dial says Swiss, but it apparently has a "ball calibre 651." Does this mean ETA did not make the movement? Or that it is a swiss movement, but the watch was assembled elsewhere? Not that I especially care, but given that I am dealing with Rolex snobs, I want to be able to defend myself. Again, I really like the watch ( and I guess that is all that matters). All Ball Watches are using ETA/Valjoux based movements. They are then adjusted and modified to Ball Standard. Ball calibres are engineered in-house and built starting with the ETA base. The watches are Swiss made, Swiss assembled.
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Swiss
Aug 28, 2007 10:38:00 GMT -5
Post by boscoe on Aug 28, 2007 10:38:00 GMT -5
jacques: Swiss Made designation does not mean every part of the watch was made in Switzerland. The case, bracelet, crystal, etc. could've been made elsewhere, shipped to Switzerland and assembled there. As far as I know, only the AOSC designation indicates EVERY part of the watch was made in Switzerland. But I don't know how wide-spread the use of that designation is.
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Swiss
Aug 28, 2007 18:47:49 GMT -5
Post by foghorn on Aug 28, 2007 18:47:49 GMT -5
Oris,Breitling,Omega and IWC among others use ETA movements but after modification assign their own movement designation. They usually will also state the base movement. It's an extremely common practice for companies when using non "in house' movements.
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Swiss
Aug 28, 2007 19:53:50 GMT -5
Post by jacques on Aug 28, 2007 19:53:50 GMT -5
Does anyone know on which ETA movement is the ball calibre 651 based?
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Swiss
Aug 28, 2007 20:15:27 GMT -5
Post by foghorn on Aug 28, 2007 20:15:27 GMT -5
Does anyone know on which ETA movement is the ball calibre 651 based? This doesn't help with the Trainmaster Dual time (probably just not updated) but I assume the movement is the ETA 2893-2 Good link though www.orbita.net/pages/17102.htm
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Swiss
Aug 28, 2007 20:44:13 GMT -5
Post by jacques on Aug 28, 2007 20:44:13 GMT -5
Thanks foghorn. Anyone else out there have a dual time?
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