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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thx my friend!
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
I got the next step up the M Marvelight 43mm in Black. Looks great, built like a tank with all the right technology.
Please advise where can I get the Engineer M Challenger 40mm dial size and in grey dial in Singapore?
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.
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.
When do you sell Engineer M Challenger in Japan?
A STUNNING MASTERPIECE OF WRISTWATCH INDUSTRY I MARVEL OVER IT BUT THIS IS ONLY CHASE AFTER RAINBOW JUST BECAUSE THE PRICE
Big deal. Have you checked out their website? 98% of their watches are ‘out of stock’ …what’s up with that?
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.