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hrlgst · 27 July 2011, 03:34 AM

I saw a picture in WatchTime Magazine of a beautiful watch by Ball called a "Trainmaster Fahrenheit". Does anyone out there have any experience with Ball watches? All I know is that they have a long history with railroads in America.

Aivas47a · 27 July 2011, 09:10 AM

I saw that blurb in Watch Time too and had to pick one up for the novelty. It's a nice elegant design and the temp gauge actually works pretty well!

Ball movements are basically just stock ETA, but they are nice watches for what they are and fairly priced. I own several for casual wear. The main distinguishing feature of the brand is their use of tritium gas tubes that glow brightly in the dark and don't need charging from an external light source.

I'll post a pic of the new watch when I get a moment.

Demosthene · 27 July 2011, 12:39 PM

I’ve got a Ball Officer myself but the Trainmaster Celsius has been tempting me (I dislike the Fahrenheit scale)

Solidly built and reasonably priced ETA movement watches, with a history to back it all up.
Id defiantly recommend picking one up if it tickles your fancy.

Ebruner · 27 July 2011, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrlgst

I saw a picture in WatchTime Magazine of a beautiful watch by Ball called a "Trainmaster Fahrenheit". Does anyone out there have any experience with Ball watches? All I know is that they have a long history with railroads in America.

Other than the name, there is ZERO link between the Ball watches of today, and the first class US made Ball watches of th past.

-Eddie

Marc_Quadra · 27 July 2011, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ebruner

Other than the name, there is ZERO link between the Ball watches of today, and the first class US made Ball watches of th past.

-Eddie

Can you give me more information on this?

Thanks

Ebruner · 27 July 2011, 01:08 PM

Ball Hamiltons were US made railroad grade watches. The current are imported with outsourced ETA movements. There is no continuity of production, or even ownership. The only link is the name and logo.

-Eddie

Ebruner · 27 July 2011, 01:44 PM

i really am not running down the current Ball watch, they are liked by many, and are considered high quality. My only issue is the overstated link with the legendary Ball pieces of the past.

-Eddie

Aivas47a · 29 July 2011, 09:16 AM

You are right that the only connection between the current Ball and the old railroad watch company is ownership of the name. It's not a brand to buy because of its history and it's not haute horlogerie by any means. But they produce serviceable and attractive watches for a pretty reasonable price ... unlike some brands with invented or bought histories and ETA movements that have the nerve to list their watches for $5 or $10 thousand dollars or more (I won't mention any specific names).

Aivas47a · 31 July 2011, 04:59 AM

Sorry for the blurry phone pic:

hrlgst · 3 August 2011, 04:42 AM

Thanks to Jim and Eddie! That really is an attractive watch. It's now definitely on my list to acquire.

27 July 2011, 03:34 AM	#1
hrlgst "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 130	Ball Trainmaster Fahrenheit I saw a picture in WatchTime Magazine of a beautiful watch by Ball called a "Trainmaster Fahrenheit". Does anyone out there have any experience with Ball watches? All I know is that they have a long history with railroads in America. __________________ 116203 Blue Dial DJ, 116203 Tuxedo Dial DJ, Omega Hour Vision, JLC Master Control, DD 18238, IWC Portofino IW356307, 116613C T/T Black Sub

27 July 2011, 01:08 PM	#6
Ebruner "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: Eddie Location: Kentucky Watch: 118208 Posts: 2,510	Ball Hamiltons were US made railroad grade watches. The current are imported with outsourced ETA movements. There is no continuity of production, or even ownership. The only link is the name and logo. -Eddie __________________

27 July 2011, 01:44 PM	#7
Ebruner "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: Eddie Location: Kentucky Watch: 118208 Posts: 2,510	i really am not running down the current Ball watch, they are liked by many, and are considered high quality. My only issue is the overstated link with the legendary Ball pieces of the past. -Eddie __________________

3 August 2011, 04:42 AM	#10
hrlgst "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 130	Thanks to Jim and Eddie! That really is an attractive watch. It's now definitely on my list to acquire. __________________ 116203 Blue Dial DJ, 116203 Tuxedo Dial DJ, Omega Hour Vision, JLC Master Control, DD 18238, IWC Portofino IW356307, 116613C T/T Black Sub

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27 July 2011, 09:10 AM	#2
Aivas47a Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Real Name: Jim Location: Dallas Watch: Love them all Posts: 225	I saw that blurb in Watch Time too and had to pick one up for the novelty. It's a nice elegant design and the temp gauge actually works pretty well! Ball movements are basically just stock ETA, but they are nice watches for what they are and fairly priced. I own several for casual wear. The main distinguishing feature of the brand is their use of tritium gas tubes that glow brightly in the dark and don't need charging from an external light source. I'll post a pic of the new watch when I get a moment.

27 July 2011, 12:39 PM	#3
Demosthene "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Perth Australia Posts: 1,326	I’ve got a Ball Officer myself but the Trainmaster Celsius has been tempting me (I dislike the Fahrenheit scale) Solidly built and reasonably priced ETA movement watches, with a history to back it all up. Id defiantly recommend picking one up if it tickles your fancy.

29 July 2011, 09:16 AM	#8
Aivas47a Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Real Name: Jim Location: Dallas Watch: Love them all Posts: 225	You are right that the only connection between the current Ball and the old railroad watch company is ownership of the name. It's not a brand to buy because of its history and it's not haute horlogerie by any means. But they produce serviceable and attractive watches for a pretty reasonable price ... unlike some brands with invented or bought histories and ETA movements that have the nerve to list their watches for $5 or $10 thousand dollars or more (I won't mention any specific names).

31 July 2011, 04:59 AM	#9
Aivas47a Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Real Name: Jim Location: Dallas Watch: Love them all Posts: 225	Sorry for the blurry phone pic:

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