tictoc
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Post by tictoc on Nov 19, 2007 7:34:31 GMT -6
Ball Engineer Master II Diver Model : DM1020A-PAJ-BKGR
I’m considering getting this watch but I need some input from you all about the manufacture, BALL, if this is a great watch or not and what are your feelings about BALL and this watch.
Thanks in advance for your comments![/color] Case Thickness: 15mm Lug Width: 20mm Closure: Pin Buckle Warranty: 2-year Bezel: Bidirectional Water Resistance: 30 ATM / 300 M / 1000 F Case Material: Stainless Steel Case Diameter: 42 mm Crystal: Sapphire Case Finish: Brushed Crown: Screw-Down Band: Rubber Strap Luminosity: Dial and Hands Movement: ETA Cal. 2836-2 25 jewels Swiss Auto-wind. Automatic Mechanical. Caseback: Engraved Shock resistance: 5,000Gs Anti-magnetic: 4,800A/m. Notes: Ball watches feature self-powered micro gas lights containing tritium 3H for ultimate night readability and a glow 100 times brighter than luminous paint!
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Post by aerome on Nov 19, 2007 7:45:56 GMT -6
I was reading about the old Ball company that was originally located in your neck of the woods. Now it's owned by an investor group and not much has been written other than the hype usually associated with someone when they buy up a name. Their offerings are a bit expensive although very nice. Good that you're doing some homework before plunking down $1500. Great looking watch, good luck with it.
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tictoc
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Post by tictoc on Nov 19, 2007 8:23:15 GMT -6
I was reading about the old Ball company that was originally located in your neck of the woods. Now it's owned by an investor group and not much has been written other than the hype usually associated with someone when they buy up a name. Their offerings are a bit expensive although very nice. Good that you're doing some homework before plunking down $1500. Great looking watch, good luck with it. Thanks for the info ... gotta make up my mind on this because I have a new Longines watch on order watchtalkforums.proboards26.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1195076296 , but can only afford to get one. I don't know if I want this Ball watch instead of the Longines, so I need opinions.
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Post by truerolexer/trueradiomier on Nov 19, 2007 8:28:52 GMT -6
Nice watch!!!! But if I must choose one between this Ball watch or Longines, I prefer Longines. REALLY GOOD and CHUNKY watch!!! Just my opinion, man.
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tictoc
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Post by tictoc on Nov 19, 2007 8:35:26 GMT -6
Nice watch!!!! But if I must choose one between this Ball watch or Longines, I prefer Longines. REALLY GOOD and CHUNKY watch!!! Just my opinion, man. and I do like CHUNKY ;D But which is the better watch overall is what I am inquiring, I guess.
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Post by truerolexer/trueradiomier on Nov 19, 2007 8:41:56 GMT -6
Good luck, man. Whatever you choose, it's GOOD looking WATCHES both of 'em.
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Post by aerome on Nov 19, 2007 10:37:56 GMT -6
The Ball has an ETA movement and I'm not sure whether we determined which movement was in the Longines. I guess you need to figure those out along with which movement would be best and then have a look at any service issues and how each company handled them. From what I read about the nuclear material on the dial of the Ball, I would imagine there are no service-centers located outside of their factory. Just a WAG on my part. But, I buy with tradition and history in mind, so any new kid on the block always raises my suspicions. The higher priced they are, the more my suspicions are raised. To look at it another way, I ask if I can afford to lose this $ if the company goes tits up in the next X amount of time.
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tictoc
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Post by tictoc on Nov 19, 2007 10:57:08 GMT -6
The Ball has an ETA movement and I'm not sure whether we determined which movement was in the Longines. I guess you need to figure those out along with which movement would be best and then have a look at any service issues and how each company handled them. From what I read about the nuclear material on the dial of the Ball, I would imagine there are no service-centers located outside of their factory. Just a WAG on my part. But, I buy with tradition and history in mind, so any new kid on the block always raises my suspicions. The higher priced they are, the more my suspicions are raised. To look at it another way, I ask if I can afford to lose this $ if the company goes tits up in the next X amount of time. So maybe I should forget it and bail out on both watches? The Longines, can't find out the movement other than it is Swiss Made and an automatic. The Ball, a new kid on the block.
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Archer
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Post by Archer on Nov 19, 2007 11:13:13 GMT -6
So maybe I should forget it and bail out on both watches? The Longines, can't find out the movement other than it is Swiss Made and an automatic. The Ball, a new kid on the block. I don't think there is a need to bail on both the watches. My $0.02 coming up.... Longines, being owned by the Swatch Group, is certainly not going anywhere anytime soon. As has been noted, they seem to be putting effort in to bring this brand back to some of it's former glory. I have no doubt at all that the Longines has an ETA movements since it's origins are the Swatch Group. I doubt very much that they have developed a new line of movements specifically for Longines..... This means that parts will be available for a long time to come for the Longines I expect. Now, regarding the Ball..... They have no real connection to the original Ball company other than the name from what I have read. I was sure I read somewhere that they might not even have a manufacturing facility, but have the work done by someone else - but don't quote me on that as you should research it in more detail. What I can tell you is that I am quite familiar with the ETA 2836-2 in that particular watch. It's a very small movement for a 42mm case! I've built a watch using this movement and the case I used was 36mm and it required a spacer as the inside of that case was still too big. Personally I think the Longines is a more solid name. Just my opinion. Cheers, Al
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CHIP
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Post by CHIP on Nov 19, 2007 12:33:15 GMT -6
I actually like some of the Ball watches. Not sure that I would fork over the cash for one, but I have a bit of an attraction to their tube lume. In the case of the watch pictured above, it looks too much like an IWC Aquatimer, but a bit cheesier. So I could not really wear that one. It would bug me too much.
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tictoc
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Post by tictoc on Nov 19, 2007 14:37:36 GMT -6
Thanks for the input. No Ball for me. As far as the Longines, I am going to pass on it also. Swatch Group just doesn't thrill me on spending that much on it.
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Archer
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Post by Archer on Nov 19, 2007 14:50:22 GMT -6
Thanks for the input. No Ball for me. As far as the Longines, I am going to pass on it also. Swatch Group just doesn't thrill me on spending that much on it. So are you discounting this because it's from the Swatch group only? If so, that would be mistake I think. The Swatch group has some pretty serious names from the watch world in their portfolio. If you look at this link it shows the brands they own.... www.swatchgroup.com/brands/brands.phpCertainly the top line on that page showing Blancpain, Breguet, Glashutte Original, and Jaquet Droz are all quite high end makers under the Swatch umbrella. Good luck with whatever you decide.
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otis
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Post by otis on Nov 19, 2007 14:54:04 GMT -6
Thanks for the input. No Ball for me. As far as the Longines, I am going to pass on it also. Swatch Group just doesn't thrill me on spending that much on it. Well, don't be put off by that fact! It's not like you're paying $1500 for a small plastic watch. There's plenty of marques that come under the swatch umbrella... Omega, Glashuette Original are two of them that come to mind. I really like the new range of Longines divers... great solid build and an excellent bracelet.
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Post by truerolexer/trueradiomier on Nov 19, 2007 22:53:21 GMT -6
Thanks for the input. No Ball for me. As far as the Longines, I am going to pass on it also. Swatch Group just doesn't thrill me on spending that much on it. So are you discounting this because it's from the Swatch group only? If so, that would be mistake I think. The Swatch group has some pretty serious names from the watch world in their portfolio. If you look at this link it shows the brands they own.... www.swatchgroup.com/brands/brands.phpCertainly the top line on that page showing Blancpain, Breguet, Glashutte Original, and Jaquet Droz are all quite high end makers under the Swatch umbrella. Good luck with whatever you decide. I think Swatch group more like LVMH to me. A giant corporation. :-/Longines have long histories behind 'em.
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tictoc
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Post by tictoc on Nov 20, 2007 6:29:24 GMT -6
Thanks everyone.
After researching these watches more and reading all your comments, I bailed out and will not be getting either of these watches.
Too much money to spend on something so iffy.
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