Switzerland based BALL Watch Company unveils Engineer Master II Skindiver II, a new vintage diver’s watch that pays tribute to BALL’s watchmaking heritage.
In 2012, BALL Watch Company took up the bold challenge of reviving a resonant part of its watchmaking heritage in the form of the Engineer Master II Skindiver.
Following the unanimous success of this model as soon as it was launched, BALL Watch Company now once again meets the expectations of all lovers of vintage diver’s watches with the new Engineer Master II Skindiver II.
Just like its predecessor, the Engineer Master II Skindiver II takes its inspiration directly from the first “BALL Skindiver” timepiece conceived in 1962 in response to the increasing popularity of underwater diving in the United States, the original homeland of BALL watches.
The launch of this watch followed the creation of the “Underwater Society of America” in 1959. This public organization is responsible for promotional work and providing training in relation to diving, as well as organizing competitions.
A practice dating back several thousand years, diving developed as a sport and method for exploring the seabed after the Second World War. It gradually split into two codes: scuba diving and skin diving or free diving.
For many years now, BALL Watch has played a pioneering role in the design of diver’s watches, especially through its extraordinary partnership with the multiple world champion constant weight free-diver Guillaume Néry. This outstanding human and technical exploit has been a source of inspiration for an entire range of diver’s watches at the cutting edge of modern watchmaking technology.
Once again, BALL Watch introduces a new model into the ranks of the Engineer Master II collection, paying tribute both to the history of the watch itself and to the heritage of underwater exploration.
This timepiece combines a resolutely vintage 1960s design with the codes and technology of contemporary watchmaking. The development of this new model led to a stainless steel case of more than adequate dimensions, with a 43 mm diameter and a height of 14 mm.
As a reminder of the American origins of BALL Watch Company, the case back is engraved with the United States Coast Guard Reserve insignia.
The water resistance of the Engineer Master II Skindiver II, an essential feature of any diver’s watch, is here extended to the phenomenal depth of 500 meters. The use of a timepiece at such distance from the surface made it necessary to fit the case with an automatic helium release valve.
This device is essential for preventing damage that could potentially be caused by an excess of internal pressure due to the decompression of helium molecules captured inside the watch.
The wide rotating bezel made of black ceramic allows for easy measuring of diving time. Unidirectional rotation of the bezel is a basic safety guarantee for any diver’s instrument, since it prevents any unintended maneuver from accidentally prolonging the indication of the time available for returning to the surface.
A pioneering BALL Watch technology for the treatment of ceramic allows the numerals and the graduation of the bezel to be coated with a powerful luminescent paint. The ceramic also gives the bezel exceptional resistance to corrosion, scratches and UV rays.
The black dial is freed of all superfluous features in order to make the essential information immediately accessible during a dive. The very structure of the dial has been redesigned by incorporating a circular flange on which the minute scale is marked out.
The indexes on the dial are fitted with double micro tubes of luminescent H3gas at five-minute intervals. Also applied to the hands, this state-of-the-art Swiss technology enables the watch’s indications to remain visible even in the darkness of the ocean depths.
An emblematic feature of the technical performance of BALL watches, these micro tubes require no exterior source of light and are up to 100 times more effective than conventional luminous paints.
Renowned for its precision and accuracy, a Swiss-made automatic BALL RR1103-C movement drives the basic hours, minutes, sweep seconds and date functions of the timepiece. This caliber complies with the criteria of the prestigious chronometer standard authorized by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), a guarantee of Swiss accuracy and reliability.
Finally, the sublimely vintage look of the Engineer Master II Skindiver II watch is rounded off by a bracelet with stainless steel links which immediately evokes the diver’s watches of yesteryear.
Alternatively, this chronometer also comes fitted with a rubber strap and standard buckle.
Technical details
Model: BALL Watch Engineer Master II Skindiver II
Movement
Automatic caliber BALL RR1103-C
Chronometer certified COSC
Functions
Hours, minutes, sweep seconds and date
Case
Stainless steel
Ø 43mm, height 14mm
Top ceramic luminous unidirectional rotating bezel
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Screwed-in crown
Automatic helium release valve
Shock resistant to 5,000Gs
Anti-magnetic to 4,800A/m
Water resistant to 500m/1,650ft
Dial
Black
15 double-sized micro gas tubes on hour, minute, second hands and dial for night reading capability
Band
Stainless steel bracelet with folding buckle and rubber strap with standard buckle in a special box set
