Although the watch industry of today is dominated by the Swiss and the Japanese, America has historically been one of the leading lights of the watch industry. Many of the top watch manufacturers today, such as Bulova and Hamilton, were founded in the United States. Unfortunately the American watch industry declined as American watch manufacturers were required to carry out important work for the military during World War 2. This paved the way for the Swiss watch revolution – thanks to Swiss neutrality! One manufacturer with an incredible history who now operate out of Switzerland are Ball Watch Company – and their history is well worth exploring.
How The Railroads Inspired Ball Watches
Prior to the advent of the railroads in the United States there was no real reason for standardized time. Towns across the United States kept their own local time and it was based on the position of the sun. It wasn’t all that important how accurate the time was either, as there was no important reason for people to keep an accurate time.
The railroads completely changed this. It was important to be able to accurately measure when a train would leave one area and arrive in another. Unfortunately, none of the problems that a lack of accurate timing could cause were predicted before trains started to travel between distant cities. In the early days of the American railroads there were big problems and there were many collisions. One of the biggest collisions happened in April 1891 in Kipton, Ohio due to a problem with one of the conductors watches. The trains were travelling in opposite directions on the same line and timing was paramount, unfortunately one of the conductors watches stopped for four minutes, causing a fatal head on collision.
This led to jewellery store owner Webb C. Ball being designated as the “Chief Time Inspector” of the railroads. He was tasked with the challenge of establishing a reliable timepiece inspection system in order to make the railroads safer. He took this responsibility incredibly seriously, setting up tests and standards for all watches used on the trains.
The original jewellery shop which Webb C. Ball ran grew into the Ball Watch Company, initially purchasing movements from other American manufacturers to craft BALL watches as well as selling watches from other brands. The movements he used were originally from top American brands such as Elgin and Waltham. But by the 1940’s they had switched to Swiss movements.
Webb C. Ball’s RR Standard
Webb C. Ball set up the Official RR (Rail Road) Standard – Ball Watch Company’s trademark name for railroad grade watches. This was also in order to ensure that watches used on the railroads kept to a high level of accuracy. He also introduced BALL Time Service, which was an after-sale service which every employee on the rails had to take their watch to every two weeks in order to ensure all watches were accurate and reliable.
In order to obtain the RR Standard, all watches had to hit the following criteria:
- No lid on the dial, size 18 or 16 (44.86mm or 43.17mm)
- Plain white dial, bold black hands and Arabic numbers
- Winding stem at 12 o’clock
- Minimum of 17 jewels
- Must have a double roller
- Must be lever set
- Adjusted to at least 5 positions
- Be adjusted to temperature 40 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit
- Accuracy with a gain or loss of maximum 30 seconds a week
The Innovations of BALL Watches
Ball watches have always been a company who continue to innovate and introduce new technologies. These innovations have made BALL watches a company who have always been ahead of the game.
H Micro Gas Tubes – all Ball watches include 3 H micro gas tubes allowing perfect visibility in the dark. Luminous watches are very popular today and they were vital for people working in the dark on the railroads.
Crown Protection System – this protection system ensures that water does not get inside the watch and to ensure protection against shocks.
Amortiser Anti-Shock System – this anti-shock system protects the movement from lateral impacts.
SpringLOCK System – this consists of a “cage” surrounding the balance-spring which absorbs energy created by external impacts. This was tested by Eric Singer – drummer of the band KISS – so you know it must be good!
A-PROOF System – this patented technology protects mechanical watches against magnetic fields.
Slide Chronograph – this includes a circular side bar which is fitted around the case which allows you to trigger, stop and reset the chronograph with the same control.
You can read all about the technologies used and created by Ball Watch Company here. This is a fantastic, in depth guide to all kinds of different materials, technology and techniques used by the brand!
The BALL Watch Company Collections
All Ball Watch Company collections are, as you can imagine, inspired by the American railroads. The watches in each collection have a distinct feel as they are inspired by a different aspect of the railroads themselves.
Engineer Hydrocarbon – this collection is inspired by the locomotive engineers and are the most rugged, yet sophisticated, watches produced by BALL.
Engineer Master II – this collection pays tribute to the trains’ engineers. They look good and they are also incredibly robust.
Engineer II – these watches come with a classic design and look incredibly elegant. These watches pay tribute to the locomotive mechanics.
Trainmaster – this collection celebrates the railroad masters who supervise the smooth operation of the rail network. These are incredibly elegant and the most classical pieces of all of the BALL watches.
Conductor – these are the most authentic and faithful to the initial origins of the BALL watches. The collection pays tribute to the conductors of the American railroads.
Fireman – this collection pays homage to locomotive firemen. It comes with robust models with incredibly beautiful, yet simple designs.
These collections pay tribute to the American railroads in an original way. This means that when it comes to Ball Watch Company, you can either choose one which suits your own personal style or you may choose one which pays tribute to one specific are of the railroads. Most recently, in 2013 BALL also launched a special collection of watches in conjunction with BMW which were influenced by the car industry.
So, whether you’re a fan of the railways or you love the open roads – BALL watches has something for you!
