The NEDU or Navy Experimental Diving Unit is a specialist unit of the United States Navy that is responsible for rolling out operational diving and decompression rules for the United States Armed Forces.
It assesses the systems and procedures involved in surviving hyperbaric and diving environments.
The NEDU's research has enabled new procedures and new equipment to develop and increase diving safety, applying the Safety First principle that has always been at the forefront of BALL Watch Co. for its diver’s models.
In particular, the NEDU established the decompression timetables that are a vital reference for all SCUBA divers.
In addition to the association with the NEDU, this new Ball diving chronograph has one or two nifty tricks up its sleeves.
For starters the HEV AKA Ball’s patented automatic Helium Escape Valve has been directly integrated into the crown thus improving the chronograph's water-resistance even further.
The design has been engineered as such that it completely eliminates any potential surface harm, such as warping under the effects of water pressure.
I mean if you were ever to go seriously Ball’s deep – sorry couldn’t resist, you know what I mean.
The crown itself is fitted with a patented protection system used on all Engineer Hydrocarbon models, helping to avoid any unintentional manipulation of the timepiece.
Another specific feature of the new NEDU includes the two chamfers cut into the case flange supporting the bezel;
these act as drains to facilitate the outflow of any seawater that might have become lodged between the components.
This clever addition also invented by BALL Watch also helps combat any possible effects of saltwater corrosion.
As mentioned, the case is constructed from Titanium and measures 42mm in diameter by 17.3mm in height.
It is equipped with a luminous ceramic bezel, an AR-treated Sapphire crystal, a patented crown protection system, and said patented Helium Escape Valve.
The case-back is engraved with a diver motif, the NEDU's official emblem. It is shock-resistant to 7,500Gs, anti-magnetic to 4,800A/m, and it is water resistant to 600 meters.
Powering the watch is a Swiss automatic Ball caliber RR1402-C , based on an ETA Valjoux 7750 with 25 jewels, 28,800 vph and a power-reserve of 42 hours. It is a COSC certified-chronometer.
The dial comes in either graduated blue, black, Navy blue or white. It boasts 21 micro gas tubes on the hour, minute and second hands.
The new Engineer Hydrocarbon NEDU comes on either a Titanium bracelet with a patented folding buckle and extension system, or on a rubber diver’s strap with a Titanium buckle.
MSRP is from 4’399 to USD4’499.
Like this? Check out the Ball’s answer to the Fifty Fathoms, the Engineer Hydrocarbon ORIGINAL.
Thoughts? While the price is a little steep, it appears to be a really nicely engineered piece of kit plus the NEDU association is very cool to boot. What do you think?
Looks like a Christmas tree
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