It certainly has the look and feel of a neo-classic diver but like any Ball timepiece you don’t need to scratch too far beneath the surface before you uncover an innovation or two.
In this instance, one of the Engine Hydrocarbon Original’s neat tricks is a disappearing act – you could say the art of illumination without illumination!
Ball has stealthily hidden what are considered by some (me) as ugly or at best clunky, Tritium Gas Tubes beneath the EH Original’s dial –
giving you all the benefits of their cutting-edge Swiss luminescent technology while retaining the look and feel of a classic diver’s face which they have covered with a domed Sapphire crystal.
In addition to the micro gas tubes integrated underneath the dial, Ball’s famous luminosity can also be found below a tough Sapphire crystal bezel inlay.
With graduated markings that track up to 60 minutes, the unidirectional bezel also features special indentations that allow it to be easily used with bare hands or diving gloves.
As well as its 30 micro gas tubes, special crown protection and water-resistance of up to 200 meters, the 40mm Engineer Hydrocarbon Original –
is anti-magnetic to 80,000 A/m, shock resistance to 7,500Gs and boasts a patented buckle that can withstand 1,400 newtons of force.
Power comes from an automatic caliber BALL RR1102-CSL, a certified chronometer by the COSC – Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute.
Inside the movement itself, is Ball’s patented SpringSEAL® system that safeguards the regulator assembly and ensures it does not change position upon impact –
while a patented SpringLOCK® system covers the hairspring and limits the unfurling of the coils in order to prevent twisting upon impact.
The exacting precision is safeguarded further by Ball’s patented Amortiser® anti-shock system that surrounds the movement and absorbs any knocks and bumps from the rigors of an active life.
Thoughts? Besides an extra 2mm, I wish they’d had the balls to leave the day /date off! I have mocked up an unofficial no date variant. What do you think . . . sexy!?
MSRP in the US is approx. 3’100USD.
on a diver, no-date is the best date. other than that, the only 2 things i'd change are: make it slimmer (if it's even possible with so many sandwiches :)), and put in their manufacture in-house movement. it would justify a hike in the price by a couple of hundreds, and then they could reduce the price of this one by at least a couple hundred :)
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