I’ve been looking at Ball watches for a while, respect their heritage and there’s something to be said for a watch loaded with 100 gas tubes at night :)

I had narrowed down to the Starlight 40 (full trit numbers, and I like day-date) or the Fireman PVD. That latter is on sale at $1100 from $2100. Jomashop doesn’t have the Starlight, but the Engineer III is $950 down from $1800, and the power reserve is at $1450 down from $3155.

Anyway, I’m asking the community a few questions here-

- Ball, amazing watches? Not worth the fuss? My SOTC is a few high end pieces, and a bunch of dive/tool/field watches of varying quality and microbrands. I don’t have much that’s like, say, a Grand Seiko format. I could save my money for those, or get one of these from Ball.

- Are ball watches regularly discounted? Is this whole “$1000 coupon” thing a regular deal, or is this a sweet opportunity that I have to jump on today?

- If I’m getting a Ball, am I on the right track to get one of the three pictured? Or just go buy that starlight 40 full price? Or is there something else that’s the ‘quintessential’ Ball if I’m only buying one?

Thanks all.

  • MyNameIsVigil@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Those are delightful watches, but the Jomashop prices are pretty typical. Obviously buy something if you want it, but don’t think that it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

  • nenzshejensbsk@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I had a marvelight it was really good for the simple reason that the tritium lume is so strong yiu can almost read a book by it. I really miss waking up in middle of night and being able to see the time without a light that wakes me up and then I can’t go back to sleep. If ball had an engineer cosc in 36-38mm I would buy again. I ended up selling my marvelight as it needed repair, but to be fair, I was wearing it surfing all the time and it’s not really designed for that

  • goldblumspowerbook@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    As others have said, Ball is a zombie company so doesn’t really have heritage. That said I hear from many people the watches themselves are good. I personally find the design a little thrown together and I haven’t found the one i would actually want to own, but overall they’re a cool brand. But yeah, Joma sales are perpetual and those prices are pretty typical for Ball. Definitely don’t ever pay full retail for a Ball. Even at an AD, get a steep discount.

  • kghvikings@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    The Ball I currently have is built like a tank and keeps fantastic time (and the tritium is effing cool). It’s not finished quite as well as my Omega or Tudors, but it’s still damn good.

    Ball makes some really great pieces. I don’t really give a s**t about “heritage.” The OG brand story is cool and all, but I don’t buy stories…I buy watches.

  • Beautiful-Paper2029@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I just picked up a Trainmaster - the model is no longer made AND there was a second discount that hit… check to see if the model is being discontinued… that may make a difference when you decide to purchase. Check other watch sites to comparison shop (and to avoid buyers remorse!!)

      • Beautiful-Paper2029@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        Jomshop no longer carries the model - it was a final push to clear the particular model from their inventory and I believe that was the reason for the additional discounts I was able to take advantage of.

  • RMSQM@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Personally, I think it’s always better to save money towards a watch that you really want rather than buying something on sale just because it seems nice and it’s on sale.

  • yaoksuuure@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I really like Ball watches as well and have been lurking on watch exchange for the right one for a few months now. I don’t have first hand experience, but I’ve read the tritium tubes will need replacement at some point. I think it’s like 20 years and they start to fade a little after 10.

  • One-Proof-9506@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I can tell you that Jomashop normally sells the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M NTTD for $8,000 (retail of $10,000). I plan on getting this watch in the next 12-14 months. For their Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal, the watch is discounted to $7,663. So yea, it’s a little bit of a discount relative to their normal price. Other Seamaster Diver 300Ms are also about $200 off their regular price.

  • DingisDominator@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I owned an Engineer Ohio II a while back and it was pretty great. Good 40mm size and with some good heft due to the about 13mm height. I loved the second hand counter balance. One small quirk, the bracelet has 0 micro adjust so it’s hard to find a great fit and the spring bars are so close to the case I couldn’t wear the watch on anything but the thinnest of leather straps and perlons. Overall a good, off the wall option for an entry level luxury watch.