Ball Fireman NECC Diver - REVIEW

I am definitely no stranger to Ball Watches. In fact, I would say, I am rather intimate with the brand having owned so many. How about a list? (in alphabetic order)

• ·         Engineer Hydrocarbon I GMT
• ·         Engineer Hydrocarbon II GMT
• ·         Engineer Hydrocarbon SpaceMaster
• ·         Engineer Hydrocarbon DeepQuest
• ·         Engineer Hydrocarbon Airborne
• ·         Engineer Master II World Time (not diver)
• ·         Engineer Master II Diver (orange inner-bezel)
• ·         Engineer Master II Diver TMT
• ·         Engineer Master II World Time Diver
• ·         Engineer Master II Diver (inner/outer – newest version)
• ·         Engineer Master II Aviator GMT
• ·         Engineer Master II Aviator
• ·         Engineer Master II Aviator Big Boy L.E.
• ·         Engineer Master II Pilot GMT
• ·         Engineer Master II Skindiver
• ·         Engineer Master II Skindiver II
• ·         Fireman Night Train (original)
• ·         Fireman Canadian Railway Service L.E.
• ·         Fireman Ionosphere Chronograph
• ·         Trainmaster Doctor’s Chronograph

Alright, I had never done that before… enumerate them. I am almost embarrassed now and the word I used above, “intimate” is quite the understatement.

The Fireman NECC Diver, which is the subject of this review, is the 21^st Ball watch to enter my collection. It is VERY different from all of the others above and represents extreme value for the brand. When most companies are going higher and higher, Ball has not forgotten about their core audience. The collectors that made them what they are today and for this I am extremely grateful.

CASE & BEZEL

The 42mm case is made of brushed stainless steel and is only 13.2mm thick. The latter is impressive considering its 300m water-resistance, especially in a world where divers are so large. Mind you, this attribute is trending down as of late, perhaps Ball is ahead of the curve? If you look closely, you can still see some distinct Fireman DNA, specifically in the lugs, but the design is more accentuated. I like this a lot.

One of my favorite attributes on any given Ball watch is the incredible engravings on their case backs. From a Guillaume Nery “doing his thing” to a beaver with a Canadian Flag on my old CRTS, they are rich and wonderful to look at.

Unfortunately, the case back on the NECC Diver is not engraved, but fear not! It is far from being mundane! Not because you can see a rather run-of-the-mill ETA 2824, but because on the inside of the display glass, there is a rendering of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) logo on it. Though this rendering, you can glimpse some of the inner workings keeping your timepiece alive and ticking. I do not recall ever seeing something like this before.

This is a solid 42mm case, with a thickness of only 13.2mm. This makes for a very wearable diver, which is still capable of an impressive 300m of water-resistance. It is a refined (yes, refined on a Fireman model) mix of brushed and polished surfaces, which include a nicely engraved screw-down crown. Due to its short lugs, it wears much smaller than its measurements and is very refreshing, as opposed to today’s behemoths. I am starting to think I may be headed back down in the size department and THIS may be the watch that is the catalyst for this trend…

CRYSTAL, DIAL & HANDS

The dial is very clean and easy to read, with a raised chapter ring, which accents the meridian points at 5 minute intervals. The combination of black and orange, combined with the textured surfaces on the dial, as well as the multiple levels really make the dial pop. There is just so much going on. I really was not expecting this from an entry-level diver. Once again, I would have preferred a black date right with white numbers, but… but… the opposite somewhat still works, as it contrasts well with the tritium marker at 9 o’clock and helps balance the dial.

Yes, I have gone and said the T word! TRITIUM! One of the reasons we all love our Ball watches is the nighttime readability. It really is incredible, for the lack of a better word. Now, I would have liked to have seen a variety of colors used, instead of the “usual” green, but you cannot complain about its effectiveness. At no point, ever, was I not able to ready the time. I feel it is redundant to even be talking about Ball’s prowess in this category… let us just say, if you have never owned a Ball watch, you are cheating yourself out of one of the pleasures of being a watch collector. I will leave it at that.

The bezel is supposed to be made of some kind of steel carbide. I have heard this mentioned a handful of times, without any explanations. Not exactly sure what it means, but it should be less prone to scratching and scuffing than regular steel. It also looks like a ceramic bezel, with its highly polished black surface. In fact, there are a few reviews on-line that claim it is ceramic. It is not. What I can confirm though, is that I have had mine for quite some time and it is still in perfect condition (the bezel), despite having had a few close encounters of the furniture kind. My only gripe is that there is no lume on the bezel. Not a deal breaker for me, but I can see how it could be for some. If all of the hour markers were the same color, then it would have been for me as well, but this is not the case.

The hands on the NECC seem to be quite polarizing. I for one love them. Kudos to Ball for attempting to be original, while at the same time honoring vintage watches of yesteryear. The “broad-arrow” style has been around for ages, yet looks refreshing on this dial.  I was worried that the paint on the tip of the hour hand would look flat, but it does not and sits recessed in the cut-out on the hand. Really quite impressive. They are also faceted and not flat, which help reflect the light and avoids being washed out at certain angles. All these little details are rarely seen on timepieces at this price point.

THE MOVEMENT

What can I say that has not already been said about the venerable ETA 2824? Nothing. It is a good, solid, if not pedestrian movement that can be equally accurate and consistent. Likewise, mine has been well within COSC performance, as you can see by this chart:

I started using this WatchCheck (Android App) on my phone a couple of years ago and it is a wonderful tool. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes measuring the performance of their watches. WARNING: it can get quite obsessing…

BRACELET

Now after owning 20+ Ball Watches, I think it is safe to say I have seen almost every bracelet type they make. From the ultra rugged Hydrocsabon to the almost delicate Skindiver, I have tried them all and what I am about to say, may shock you. THIS IS THE BEST BRACELET THEY HAVE EVER MADE and unlike many of the others, which are found throughout their respective lines, this one is only available on the Fireman NECC.

What makes it so good? Well, if you look carefully at all of the individual links and how they hinge together, you can see how you can get such a tight feeling bracelet, while still remaining supple and without pulling any precious arm hair.  Hey! I live in Canada, we need all the warmth we can get! In all seriousness, it reminds me of a Blancpain X-71 bracelet. That is how tight the tolerances are and the latter alone costs more than the entire NECC Diver! It is also quite hefty and super solid, with brushed sides and screws for sizing.

Now the clasp is nothing new, it is the same milled clasp as first seen on the Hydrocarbon Mad Cow Limited Edition. I have owned a couple of watches with this clasp, including just recently the Skindiver II. It is a tremendous clasp, with tiny retaining bearings and super secure feel. The difference is that on this bracelet, the clasp WORKS! Oh it worked fine on all those other watches, but it always sort of looks like an afterthought on those. Like an add-on. In fact, on the Skindiver II, it felt and looked like I had a watch on both sides of my wrist… Not on this bracelet! It looks perfect, almost flawless and is also polished on the sides.

The whole package is so well balanced, I could seriously see this bracelet combination on a watch in the 5,000$ range and it would not be out of place.

CONCLUSION

My entire collecting “life” has revolved around affordable watches. Oh I have flirted with 2000-3000$ watches, had an affair or two with 3000-5000$ and may have even bought a drink for 5000$-10000$ watches, but my main go to is between 500-2000$. This is where I feel most comfortable and it is unfortunate that so many Swiss watch companies have abandoned this segment. 

I understand inflation. Heck, I remember when a Seamaster Professional retailed for 1600$ and you could get a gently pre-loved Submariner for under 2000$ on the forums. Yes, I certainly make more than I used to in those days; in fact, I make what could be considered, a comfortable living. Not rich by any stretch of the imagination, but I do OK. That said, the difference between what I could afford then and what I can afford now is ridiculous! Thankfully, companies like Ball Watch still take us into consideration and produce uncompromised timepieces we can afford and wear with pride.

You would be hard-pressed to find better value elsewhere and I dare you to do so. Now, if you have never owned a Ball Watch before, you may think this could be possible. My challenge to YOU is, own one…  live with one… then, and only then, try and compare. You will see… Once you have owned a Ball Watch, you cannot go without one in your collection and this one just may be the one for you!

A few more pictures, just for fun:

 

 

For more on Ball Watch and their models, please follow this link:

Ball Watch