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Ball Watch Debuts New In-House Caliber in Engineer M Challenger


With the introduction of its new Engineer M Challenger, Ball Watch Co. — the Swiss-made brand with roots in early American railroading — joins the fraternity of watch manufacturers that produce at least one in-house movement. Here’s what you need to know about the watch and the new manufacture Caliber 7309.

Ball Engineer M Challenger - angle
The Ball Engineer M Challenger is available in both 40-mm and 43-mm case sizes.

Among the noteworthy attributes of the self-winding Caliber 7309 are an 80-hour power reserve, a 28,800-vph frequency, and a chronometer certification from the Swiss testing agency COSC. Appropriately, the Engineer M Challenger’s caseback features a sapphire window to showcase the movement — which is also equipped with the company’s patented Amortiser anti-shock system — and its haute horlogerie finishing. Ball says that this watch will not be its last timepiece to contain an in-house movement, so it seems likely that Caliber 7309 will serve as a base for adding further complications.

Ball Watch Caliber 7309
Caliber 7309 is a COSC-certified chronometer movement.

At the moment, however, the Challenger is indeed the first and only watch outfitted with the proprietary movement, so let’s examine what else it offers. The stainless steel case is either 40 mm or 43 mm in diameter, water-resistant to 100 meters, and fitted with a screw-down, fluted crown and a nonreflective sapphire crystal over the dial. In addition to the two case sizes, three different dials are available — black, gray, and blue — as well as a choice of stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp, calf leather strap with pin buckle, or NATO textile strap.

Ball Engineer M Challenger - crown
The Ball Watch “RR” railroad logo appears on the crown (above) and the bracelet’s buckle (below).
Ball Engineer M Challenger - buckle

About those dials: they feature another hallmark of Ball watches, namely an assortment of strategically placed micro-gas tubes that ensure long-lasting illumination in the darkness. This watch has 31 of these tubes, at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 numerals, at the remaining hour indices, and on the hour, minute, and seconds hands. Unlike the more commonly used Super-LumiNova, the green, luminous gases in these tubes do not require charging from any outside light source.

Ball Engineer M Challenger - lume
The dial features 31 self-luminating micro-gas tubes.

The Ball Engineer M Challenger will be available at retail in April-May 2018, priced at $2,899 on a strap and $2,999 on a bracelet. However, Ball is offering special, limited-time-only prices on models pre-ordered on its website between now and until January 2018: $1,699 on a strap and $1,799 on a bracelet.

Ball Engineer M Challenger - blue dial - front

 

No Responses to “Ball Watch Debuts New In-House Caliber in Engineer M Challenger”

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  1. Since we are looking at 80hours power reserve, does this movement have plastic parts like some of the Powermatic80 movements or just a silicon main spring? Would really like to know before purchasing a Ball watch with this movement.

    Reply
  2. I think Ball has awesome technology. I just bought an Engineer M Marvelight.
    Look here:

    Movement

    ◆ Automatic BALL Manufacture caliber RRM7309-C
    ◆ COSC certified chronometer
    ◆ 80 hours power reserve, 28,800vph

    Function

    ◆ 15 micro gas tubes on dial and hands for night reading capability
    ◆ Hours, minutes, second and date

    Water resistance

    ◆ 100m/330ft

    Antimagnetic

    ◆ 4,800A/m

    Case

    ◆ Stainless steel
    ◆ Ø 43mm, height 13.4mm
    ◆ Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
    ◆ Sapphire crystal transparent case back
    ◆ Screwed-in crown
    ◆ Amortiser® patented anti-shock system

    Band

    Reply
  3. Ken Shapero

    I got the next step up the M Marvelight 43mm in Black. Looks great, built like a tank with all the right technology.

    Reply
  4. Please advise where can I get the Engineer M Challenger 40mm dial size and in grey dial in Singapore?

    Reply
  5. Robert Lyons

    I have the 43mm in Grey – #13/1000. The bracelet fits perfectly. Also, it has flawlessly kept time since I first set it. It has become my go-to watch over Rolex, Tudor, my precious Omega Moonwatch, plus my other 2 Balls. This piece is truly a work of art.

    Reply
  6. Jean-Marc

    I got my M Challenger yesterday (No 0007). I’m very happy with it. It looks great. The finishing top of the line. Everything I was looking for.

    Reply
  7. TAKASHI HATTORI

    When do you sell Engineer M Challenger in Japan?

    Reply
  8. SÁNDOR CSERESZNYÉS

    A STUNNING MASTERPIECE OF WRISTWATCH INDUSTRY I MARVEL OVER IT BUT THIS IS ONLY CHASE AFTER RAINBOW JUST BECAUSE THE PRICE

    Reply
  9. Chris Miller

    Big deal. Have you checked out their website? 98% of their watches are ‘out of stock’ …what’s up with that?

    Reply
  10. Thomas Parisi

    Ball watches are coming out with quite a few new watches. How come there aren’t more stores that promote these fine time pieces? I own Fireman 43mm from 2009 which I love more than the Omega Seamaster, it replaced. We need more stores. I tried to pre-order a watch from Ball only to find out that I’ll be coming from Switzerland?
    Had a very hard time with Visa and,American Express about using my card over the Internet for a watch that I gave up.

    Reply
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