BALL Roadmaster Vangard II Watch Review
Monday - 15 February 2021
The BALL Watch Company is notorious for many innovations: their chronometer certified movements, anti-shock systems, scratchproof ceramic bezels and of course, their legendary micro gas tubes. Yet their latest release, the BALL Roadmasterr Vangard II, sets new boundaries in the luxury watchmaking world as the world’s first automatic tool watch with dual time, day and date functions alongside all the other impressive technologies we have come to expect from the Swiss watch manufacturer.
Even ignoring its world-first status, the BALL Roadmaster Vangard II watch is still like any other BALL watch we’ve seen. It qualifies as a dress watch as much as a diver’s instrument or GMT watch, delivering a remarkable array of technologies that allow it to adapt to every environment or situation. Its utilitarian construction begins with a 40mm high-grade titanium case and unidirectional ceramic bezel, two material when paired become unstoppable. The titanium delivers a remarkably lightweight and hypoallergenic finish on the wrist while BALL’s legendary ceramic is virtually scratchproof, built to withstand extreme weather, everyday abrasion and all the intense bumps and scratches that come with outdoor exploration.
The case of the BALL Roadmaster Vangard II watch continues to impress with a 200 metre water resistant rating assisted by a screw down crown, screw down exhibition case back and scratch resistant sapphire crystal glass. For optimal legibility of the dial beneath, the glass is treated with an anti-reflective coating. Within the case, BALL have equipped their patented Amortiser anti-shock system, a technology that safeguards the mechanical movement against several external impact. The system features a protective anti-magnetic ring which runs around the movement and also delivers an anti-magnetic rating of 4,800A/m.
The BALL Roadmaster Vangard II watch is currently available in four variations. The first two are dressed in handsome blue dials with a choice of an all-blue ceramic bezel or a two-toned black and blue bezel. The second pair feature black dials with the same choice of an all-blue or two-toned black and blue bezel. All variations are fitted with BALL’s legendary micro gas tube technology, 48 in total decorating the hour, minutes, seconds and dual time hands and large Arabic numerals. For those unfamiliar with the technology, these astounding tritium gas tubes do not require any recharge from the sun or any external light source and do not drain any of the power reserve. The markers are also 100 times brighter than other luminous paints commonly used in the luxury watch industry and guarantee superior brightness that lasts up to 25 years.
The powerhouse of the BALL Roadmaster Vangard II is the BALL RR1303-C automatic winding calibre, a COSC-certified movement with a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and power reserve of 40 hours. Perfect for globetrotters, the dual time movement module shows the time in two geographic zones with a skeleton hand for indicating the local time, easily operated by pressing the quick set buttons on the left hand side of the case. The button at 8 o’clock moves the local time backwards while the 10 o’clock button moves it forwards. When no extra time zone is required, the two hour hands artfully overlap. Alongside the central hands for hours, minutes, seconds, GMT and day date window at 3 o’clock, the timepiece delivers extra functionality in the style of a day and night indicator 6 o’clock. The window will turn black for night and white for daytime.
Despite its release date not expected until June 2021, you can pre-order the BALL Roadmaster Vangard II in advance on the Jura Watches website here. Limited to only 1,000 pieces and retailing at a remarkably affordable price of £2,440, the collection is unlikely to stick around for long. For more information on the BALL Roadmaster Vangard II and to pre-order your own, get in touch with the team on 01335 453453 or at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
Specifications: BALL Roadmaster Vangard II Watch (DG3036B-S3C-BK, DG3036B-S4C-BE, DG3036B-S3C-BE, DG3036B-S4C-BK)
- Case Size: 40mm
- Case Material: High-grade titanium
- Bezel: Unidirectional rotating, ceramic
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Screw down, sapphire crystal
- Water Resistance: 200 metres
- Movement: Automatic BALL calibre RR1303-C
- COSC: Yes
- Functions: Hours, minutes, sweep seconds, day, date, dual time zone, day-night indicators
- Power Reserve: 40 hours
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Black or blue with 48 micro gas tubes
- Strap: High-grade titanium bracelet
- Limited Edition: 1,000 pieces
- RRP: £2,440
- Release Date: June-July 2021
