BALL Watch Company previously took up the bold challenge of reviving a resonant part of its watchmaking heritage in the form of the Engineer Master II Skindiver II. Following the collective success of this model, the Ball Watch Company now once again meets the expectations of all lovers of vintage diver's watches with this new additional Engineer Master II Diver Blue Chronometer Ref. DM2280A-S1C-BER. Rechallenging themselves, the Chronometer grade Engineer Master II takes its inspiration directly from the first early Compressor-case diving timepiece conceived in the late fifties in response to the increasing popularity of underwater diving in the United States, the original homeland of BALL watches.

Ball Engineer Master II Diver Chronometer Blue - Ltd Ed 1000pcs Ref. DM2280A-S1C-BER

In the late fifties, only a water pressure-tight watch with a separate timing device could assist deep divers in safely controlling their no-decompression dive time if they wanted to go deeper or stay longer to handle the necessary decompression time at different depths, a pretty complicated system ingeniously invented by Ervin Piquerez SA (EPSA) in 1956. With today's modern technology, we no longer need this compressing system for dive watches, but today's collectors still heavily seek after its iconic dual-crown case.

For many years, BALL Watch has been pioneering designing diver's watches, primarily through its extraordinary partnership with the multiple world champion constant weight freediver Guillaume Néry. This outstanding human and technical exploit has inspired an entire range of diver's watches at the cutting edge of modern watchmaking technology. Once again, BALL Watch is proud to introduce this new "vintage designed" model into the ranks of the Engineer Master II collection, paying tribute both to the history of the watch itself and to the heritage of underwater exploration.

Automatic caliber BALL RR1101-C, Chronometer certified COSC

This timepiece combines a resolutely vintage design with the codes and technology of contemporary watchmaking. The development of this new model led to a stainless steel case of more than adequate dimensions, with a 42 mm diameter, 50mm lugs-to-lugs, and a height of 13.5 mm. The water resistance of the Engineer Master II, an essential feature of any diver's watch, is appropriate at a depth of 300 meters, an improvement from its predecessors with only 100m water-resistant. Using a timepiece at such a distance from the surface made it necessary to fit the case with two screw-in crowns and a case back. As per Ball's timepiece, the 60s diver has impeccable finishings with an intricate satin brush at the top to the sides, separated with high-polished bevel lines for added contrast. A Ball patented Mu-metal shield for unsurpassed anti-magnetic of up to 80,000A/m, and shock resistant to 5000Gs.

Now let's get a little more tacky. The rotating blue bezel is found within the case, where the top crown is used to adjust it. Once the adjustment is made, the crown can be screwed back into the case, preventing any unintended manoeuvre from accidentally prolonging the indication of the time available for returning to the surface. It also features luminous on its marking for exceptional underwater legibility, thanks to its micro gas tube technology. This craftsmanship is Ball's marvel at best, where both "vintage" aesthetics cross the path of modern technology.

Bi-directional rotating sapphire inner bezel with micro gas tubes for night reading capability

The sunburst blue dial is freed from all superfluous features to make the essential information immediately accessible during a dive. The structure of the dial has incorporated an additional minute scale on its circular flange. All the applied hour blocks and semi-skeletonized sword hands are used with Ball's signature micro gas tubes - 36 tubes to be found on the watch! All these led to state-of-the-art Swiss technology enabling the watch's indications to remain visible even in the darkness of the ocean depths. A typical feature of the technical performance of BALL watches, these microtubes require no outside light source and are up to 100 times more effective than conventional luminous paints. One thing to note is the subtle orange touches on the second hand's tip, the cardinal points of the minute rehaut, and the "chronometer" letters written in italics.

Renowned for its precision and accuracy, a Swiss-made automatic BALL RR1101-C movement drives the timepiece's essential hours, minutes, sweep seconds and date functions. This calibre complies with the criteria of the prestigious chronometer standard authorized by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), guaranteeing Swiss accuracy and reliability.

36 micro gas tubes on hour, minute and second hands, dial and inner bezel for night reading capability

Finally, the sublimely vintage look of the 1000 pieces limited edition Engineer Master II is rounded off by a 21mm sports bracelet with multi-finished stainless steel links, which immediately evokes a real diver's watch that is always ready for action. Today, more than ever, BALL Watch is continuing its journey and asserting its role as a key protagonist in exploring modern times and the evolution of watchmaking history without abandoning some of the world's iconic watch designs.