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)
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 21st 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:
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