![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur09s5eHtmkbUps13G2DnfAaYwHAtpjbZQs07oA0jEuIJ832Tvo2OBq53Tc9rSun545_FZnKbdrwP1jhfXBU1Mgx-ysCzC3O241KVtfU0N7BjyCXEg-6IMukjhZ6D0QkEhYiWJSNoT8e3/s320/BALL+WATCH+Engineer+Hydrocarbon+ORIGINAL+01.jpg)
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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUckmmHUkod4grv7XxygVw8bMYJl9Zhx7r-6CLqVAb6JFw6gDNRSDhmkmu2E9Q8uzZdDYrGczd6ZLTqKgpsiRA6FLe2b6myBaFNSvjgOvHe_M2l1PTIDHdCvZRnkavGdDQn2OGxKewDIJX/s320/BALL+WATCH+Engineer+Hydrocarbon+ORIGINAL+02.jpg)
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!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2mBSKmzHGZjQoVAZsS5jHtgY7Obg7WSw3Wl5xQz3Ks8gSo4py-ScOfNvPOboqsL__-lj0A4tEokHc9NcBiZlMYYnwW59Vcu31aBsZMS59nnof2AFFfEKPNgTN5r8UlgDtWcB1F7Iwzvz/s320/BALL+WATCH+Engineer+Hydrocarbon+ORIGINAL+03.jpg)
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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtt3uO_fWrGewSy0EJ5iS-4m_bGXy8DNKXkIXuG0m7Pj11E9ZRY2H8s_aXJ4mAIJHPrReZgb4IxT_lPM91bPx3kCFco2EmpPmwKT84vfmIHdCenvqYRvO2gbPNCko4gnBBkDwjsRft2Ms/s320/BALL+WATCH+Engineer+Hydrocarbon+ORIGINAL+04.jpg)
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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijf7Edt8ZlvLgEdXCtyq7NdmSglib8Xp0X6WbXQt1IftvRA8vWgMAjeG6bPQdJ-PMUldyRMDa_muJLN82qvgofww5asC33XuvacitMI4fwiWtLGWFTCwF6rLHm7JIOvsFwcUNUNCm1VBqA/s320/BALL+WATCH+Engineer+Hydrocarbon+ORIGINAL+05.jpg)
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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWgswZ8MrjIYl8M4yASYT0lcqWbx2OxHKTsZVJTSTwa7-F4VCsdRHCsYJVBKAWX5trjWsJ_VDOIQOg6z0myv07sFY9XVxfLdwV8xszvoiF_tKN1Akcbj8Q_QpQEdTi_tOq0PJQ3WQ7WeR/s320/BALL+WATCH+Engineer+Hydrocarbon+ORIGINAL+06.jpg)
As well as its 30 micro gas tubes, special crown protection and water-resistance of up to 200 meters, the 40mm Engineer Hydrocarbon Original –
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKV5dW_idBimwTyxPS-xI6jkyMvJX1VOYduXwPAWH2yVmcBbU9WO-oNojHG-uVk5ZJGfOqTYuj4Xk5Eb_F9CLj8g1MyF88MNNRTWqW0xZySIuV7pd6D8YRbKj9w70ZVqg2E4SvG40JozWq/s320/BALL+WATCH+Engineer+Hydrocarbon+ORIGINAL+07.jpg)
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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5u8v-y7CtN9ir2kdHXFGj9IQpd4AEPLDWpqx_kwPV3dImpITgEqpYi8U-pFGvJA8e6HVV-G5Kv6AO2T7nTTOSaj5MzxkwhBnGwqUlKd1BQh4WhdnP4-VFatNxYb9Di1VFIm6ngIatpifg/s320/BALL+WATCH+Engineer+Hydrocarbon+ORIGINAL+08.jpg)
Power comes from an automatic caliber BALL RR1102-CSL, a certified chronometer by the COSC – Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfzXOnTSoqiqghRPZN3ZI4iN5g1W_8ldlsIw7GNAP5-_Q6_Hmjg5Klm8c09a_y4TfUfvfwMhVvNHeOvkXOOlVv_ed4qNohuCr-gmAf-2FdkplBvxzEsW6RTAWVECyGzuWONe7AoVg-sNe/s320/BALL+WATCH+Engineer+Hydrocarbon+ORIGINAL+09.jpg)
Inside the movement itself, is Ball’s patented SpringSEAL® system that safeguards the regulator assembly and ensures it does not change position upon impact –
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0u6w2d_nUVzHfWlmGbBdj-_MeLu4414SUQKt9NZiQCH12bgkirZDYcvIZirej18AwdyEbcVcIUyB-PatH_t9SWN225eacyx2RLtZzQo-5Mt_8dcMsGhAWmvL6chusCDcaCV1cTBpMsc3k/s320/BALL+WATCH+Engineer+Hydrocarbon+ORIGINAL+10.jpg)
while a patented SpringLOCK® system covers the hairspring and limits the unfurling of the coils in order to prevent twisting upon impact.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-X5B5yVdoO_3C1F1ivT_ketNp_4dp-0nWkQ4hk7MMC88HYQvr8I-wmozKqulOxttRYV_nHqNndH4EY0Uvz0uuLO9hKsKHmqrGFFHZYTLk4e73C-EUYDACmsPX9r1nhuFVsiywk2dh_My_/s320/BALL+WATCH+Engineer+Hydrocarbon+ORIGINAL+11.jpg)
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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuShtkhpWCMGV3Ml3DvkFJRcLlg2in8FOSa7AT-pX04YCBbz1loHkuoYYLlAPGB86rE72QL1jBi1jZ4X72o2zgoU7N4JX96FskK3F5Gie2Br9SW-kBWDCRL0gu502NoI1lwDAdaldQAbvx/s320/BALL+WATCH+Engineer+Hydrocarbon+ORIGINAL+12.jpg)
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.
![http://www.ballwatch.com/](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQE8hbCAsdrihtEZ95-c8l47tpWBnv4I2c7hh-EavByrKl9kEUocX3PlzC3wLVdHIXe77XyLtPl6WDk30EgPWcAP1jicso74mSI1H7es4ByhzUFePXGLfB1R1ANplAq6pKKAQYxaGgdnc/s320/Ball+Watch+Co..jpg)
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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