Reviewing the new Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Original Green

The new Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Original 43mm watch comes in a stunning green shade with a sandwich-effect tritium gas tube dial, a day-date feature, and a movement secured inside layers of the company’s innovative magnetic and shock-resistant technology

Whether you’re riding the waves, hurricane hunting, navigating aircraft, or a first responder rescuer - Ball Watch Company promotes its sturdy, reliable and robust timepieces as the perfect tools for extreme conditions and serious challenges. Weighty and substantial on the wrist, the new Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Original watch in green is not the first, of course, but it does go by the name “Original”. Desirable technology is built into both the interior and exterior of the watch and sits on the wrist with a 43mm size.

For more tactical watches, the brand’s innovative tritium-filled gas tubes have always been a welcomed look, but for those in search of something a little more elegant, these gas tubes could easily dominate the dial. The Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Original 43mm watch takes care of that. A plethora of tritium gas tubes is now worked into the dial in a sandwich-type effect. The rich green dial of the new Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Original watch is an incredibly attractive element alone. But given that a total of 30 gas tubes are positioned in the dial and bezel - the instrument suddenly becomes that little more intriguing…

Balls micro gad tube technology

Tritium is the radioactive isotope of hydrogen of which only trace amounts can be found in the natural atmosphere. It is used in science, medicine and, of course, Ball’s innovative micro gas tube technology, as well as other luminous appliances. With no risk posed to the wearer, the tritium is safely encased inside a network of gas tubes that are coated in phosphor. These tubes are sealed with a CO2 laser. Once electrons are emitted from the tritium, the tubes glow brightly and for much longer than standard Super-LumiNova used frequently in the luxury watch industry.

The dial

The dial of the new Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Original 43mm watch is both restrained and legible at the same time. The gas tubes, which can be used in multiple ways, are seen running down the centre of the faceted tower-shaped central hour and minute hands. The green dial forms the upper surface of the dial and sits above a flat layer of tritium gas tubes lying underneath. This enables Ball Watch Company to create the iconic circular and rectangular-shaped batons often seen in luxury dive watches. The dial features central hours, minutes and seconds, together with a clear and easy-to-read day-date located at 3 o’clock against a white background for enhanced readability.

The case:

The new green-dialled Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Original watch is forged from stainless steel in a mix of fine-brushed and polished finishes. It is also integrated with the company’s Mu metal shield, which protects the movement from magnetic disturbance up to an astonishing intensity of 80,000 A/m. Ball’s Amortiser® anti-shock system also safeguards the mechanical movement against severe external impact and features a protective anti-magnetic ring that runs around the movement, absorbing energy created by shocks.

The 200-meter water-resistant case of the new Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon watch is topped with a matching green unidirectional rotating bezel with more micro gas tubes for assisted night-time readability. The bezel can only be turned in the counter-clockwise direction, ensuring that remaining dive time, for example, can never be accidentally extended whilst underwater. Again, the tritium gas tubes are positioned under the ring. Enhancing a powerful and masculine presence is the addition of the watch’s patented crown protection system at 3 o’clock. This device ensures that the wearer folds the locking clasp down over the crown, screwing the crown down all the way. One additional and unusual feature of the watch is the fact that Ball Watch Company has chosen to top the bezel with a sapphire crystal glass for improved scratch resistance.

The movement;

Inside the case of the new Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Original 43mm watch is the automatic calibre BALL RR1102-CSL. The chronometer COSC-certified movement is based on the architecture of the ETA 2836-2 and comprises 25 jewels. It performs at a rate of 28,800 vibrations and delivers a power reserve of 38 hours. Modifications to the movement by Ball include a SpringLOCK® patented hairspring anti-shock system and a SpringSEAL® patented regulator anti-shock system – both of which work to achieve an overall smoother mechanical performance.

It is the fact that its design has changed barely at all over the years that makes this Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon such an appealing timepiece to collect. The model is equipped with a tapered stainless steel bracelet and a patented folding buckle, designed for optimum security against the wrist. There’s also an extension system built into the bracelet and its fastening, enabling it to sit over the top of a diver’s suit with ease.

If you would like more information on the new Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Original 43mm watch you can check out the product page at Jura Watches here, or call our sales team today on 01335 453453

Technical specification of the Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Original 43mm watch

• Case: 43mm – stainless steel – fine-brushed and polished finishes- anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass front – 200-meter water resistance – patented crown protection system – unidirectional rotating bezel with tritium gas tubes and sapphire glass top
• Dial: Green – tritium gas tube sandwich effect – baton and circular hour markers - tower-shaped central hour and minute hands – day-date feature at 3 o’clock
• Movement: Calibre BALL RR1102-CSL – automatic – 25 jewels – 38-hour power reserve – 28,800 v.p.h – COSC-certified - SpringLOCK® patented hairspring anti-shock system - SpringSEAL® patented regulator anti-shock system
• Strap; Stainless steel bracelet – tapered – patented folding clasp – extension device
• Reference; DM2218B-S2CJ-GR
• Price: £2,580