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Post by jacques on Aug 20, 2007 21:23:57 GMT -5
I am in the market for a new watch. My budget is between $1,500- 5,000. I have a Hamilton that I have worn for close to 25 years, but I am in the market for an automatic watch.
A close friend who collects watches tells me that I should focus on the brand and little else. He suggests Ulysse- Nardin, Breitling, IWC, etc. He claims that they are superior watches and will hold their value.
I stumbled upong the ball website and found their watches to be distinctive, and unlike other watches in the same price range. Also, I come from a family with old RR roots, so I love the thematics.
Aside from the look, which I like, is this watch worth the money? Is the movement on par with other watches of similar value? Am I buying an heirloom or a well marketed watch of inferior value?
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Post by tripp on Aug 20, 2007 21:40:45 GMT -5
That's up to you. I just bought a Ball Fireman & can tell you that it's very well made & has been extremely accurate out of the box. I'm totally impressed with this company. I left the company a message over the weekend & they called me back today. They not only answered my question, but gave me some additional information about my watch & their company. I don't think you will go wrong if you buy a Ball watch.
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Post by jacques on Aug 20, 2007 21:48:40 GMT -5
Tripp-- Thanks. Were you looking at other watches before you bought your Fireman? What attracted you to this watch?
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Post by tripp on Aug 20, 2007 22:00:57 GMT -5
I had been thinking about buying a Ball watch for a long time. I'd seen pics of it on TZ & the designs & history of the brand initially got my attention. I used to own a Luminox, so the micro tube technology was something I'd seen before. But Ball is very creative with what they do with that technology. I did not think about buying something else. Ball was the brand I wanted. It just took me a while to get it. And don't worry about what your friend says about "name brand" watches. Outside of the major marketed names out there (Rolex, Omega, etc), other, equally good, or better, brands are not well known by the average watch buyer, including UN & IWC. I would focus on quality, value for the dollar & designs before the name. Good luck.
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Post by bullosa on Aug 20, 2007 22:04:41 GMT -5
Hi jacques, Welcome to the forum. I hope you will find some help along your watch hunt. Certainly with a budget of yours, there are many options. To be honest, Ball is not in the same league with UN or IWC. So are many other good Swiss watches. But here's what I know about Ball; 1) You right, Ball watch has their distinctive signature, RR logo, well crafted and great night lume. 2) Ball watches have a great history and promise as they are well received in many markets now. It is interesting that Webb C Ball have a history with Hamilton. 3) Their products are superior to everything in their price range. Their presense in the forum interacting with us shows they are paying attention and are in touch with their market. Go and check out their watches at a dealer, feel it and check out the great details. I think you would buy a Ball.
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Post by Scott D on Aug 20, 2007 22:09:44 GMT -5
I would second tripps comments about focusing on the watch, not necessarily the brand. Assuming you're looking at well-make and reputable brands like the ones you mentioned, what you like there is what the ticket is... I don't know much about UN, never worn or even looked at one. I'm very familiar with IWC & Breitling, both very good brands, but on the higher side of your budget for the same style watches. I didn't know much about Ball watches until the new forum started, but I'll tell you I like what I see and it seems at a very reasonable rate. I haven't seen one in person yet, the nearest AD's a bit too far for a quick drive over. But, I think when I make the trip I probably won't leave empty handed. By all that I've seen, they're a great watch. I'm yet to hear any bad stories on their watches. I believe all Ball watches contain ETA movements (I could be wrong here though) so you've got a well made movement, which is 1/2 the fight. I'd say if you like the look and the price is right go for it!
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Post by bullosa on Aug 20, 2007 22:21:35 GMT -5
I believe all Ball watches contain ETA movements (I could be wrong here though) so you've got a well made movement, which is 1/2 the fight. I'd say if you like the look and the price is right go for it! Yes, almost all Ball watches employ ETA movements, some are COSC spec. The Trainmaster TMT use a Ball Calibre 9018 which I presume is a modified ETA. Jeremy could fill us on this one better
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Post by jacques on Aug 20, 2007 22:33:19 GMT -5
Thank you for the comments. There is an AD close to where I work, however they keep their Ball inventory at another store. They are sending some down, and hopefully I will be able to look at some tomorrow. I am partial to the trainmaster watches. Anybody own one and care to comment?
Also, interesting comments on the company's response time and involvement in this forum. Many a company has perished for taking its market for granted. Have people had similar positive experiences with the company?
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Post by foghorn on Aug 21, 2007 5:19:44 GMT -5
I can only echo what the others have said. I have more than a few watches (Omega,Sinn,Hamilton,etc) and my Ball Fireman is one of my favorites. Once you see them up close I'm sure your decision will become easier.
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Post by khewett on Aug 21, 2007 5:27:52 GMT -5
i have a Omega and a Ball, oddly enough I wear my Ball more now.....
They are very well madeI expect I will buy another, and good value I feel
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Post by timefinder on Aug 21, 2007 9:53:47 GMT -5
Jacques: With the kind of money you mentioned, you certainly have a very wide range of options to select from. All the way from Timex to Rolex DJs. And it is good to start asking questions in the different forums to get an understanding of how people feel about their watches. Some questions to ponder:
1. COSC or non COSC? 2. Super Luminova, Luminova, Tritium? 3. Dress or sport? 4. Date or no date? 5. Day or no Day? 6. Quickset or no quickset? 7. Chrono or no chrono? 8. Stainless, gold, or leather? 9. Square or circle? 10. Other features?
To determine a watch's value, why not check out websites and/or auction sites (not for purchase) to determine what watches are selling for. Look for vintage watches. Have they held up their value? This will give you an idea of how far off list price they will be. Call your insurance company and find out what the rates will be for coverage (with replacement value), and also ask if others insure the watch of the same manufacturuer.
Also, go to the General forum, post this same question, and ask other's their opinion.
Call the manufacturer directly and get some ADs in your area for the watches you are interested in. Take a day and drive and shop around to determine what you truly want. Make sure you trust the AD, and they are competent. But the watch AND the AD. After all, if service is required, you will may have to see the AD again.
Good luck, and let us know what you decide.
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Post by jacques on Aug 21, 2007 21:23:49 GMT -5
Does cosc certification make a difference? In other words, will a Ball be less accurate than a cosc watch?
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Post by Jeremy from Ball on Aug 21, 2007 21:41:16 GMT -5
That is correct, all Ball watches are using ETA movements. Ball calibres like the 9018 TMT movement use an ETA base which is then modified by our engineers to include our additional functions. Currently the Engineer, Engineer Master and Trainmaster collections have COSC chronometers. I believe all Ball watches contain ETA movements (I could be wrong here though) so you've got a well made movement, which is 1/2 the fight. I'd say if you like the look and the price is right go for it! Yes, almost all Ball watches employ ETA movements, some are COSC spec. The Trainmaster TMT use a Ball Calibre 9018 which I presume is a modified ETA. Jeremy could fill us on this one better
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Post by bullosa on Aug 22, 2007 2:49:34 GMT -5
Does cosc certification make a difference? In other words, will a Ball be less accurate than a cosc watch? COSC is a standard that serves like a reference. Although many perceived this to be the highest standard, this is not the case always. There are many in house standard as well as non Swiss standard that surpasses COSC. I can think of the German and Japanese standards that present alternative benchmark for excellence. COSC certified watches have also been known to run out their specs as well. However COSC certified movements tend to be better balanced and easier to regulate to higher levels of precision. There are many examples of non certified movements that may be as accurate or more accurate then a COSC certified watch. Why is that possible? Perhaps the watch manufacturer are using top ETA movements while not sending them for certification process to lower cost?
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Post by jacques on Aug 25, 2007 11:22:32 GMT -5
Thank you everyone for the advice. Going to look at watches this afternoon. Last question: tritium. It seems reasonably safe, at least according to a few posts I have seen. If this is the case why don't more watches incorporate this technology (or do they?)
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