BALL Engineer M Pioneer Limited Edition Watch Review
Monday - 24 May 2021
In celebration of their 130th anniversary, BALL Watch Company revive Webb C. Ball’s legendary standards of railroad accuracy with the release of their second chronometer Manufacture calibre and the new BALL Engineer M Pioneer Limited Edition collection. Equipped with a silicon balance spring and boasting an accuracy of -2/+5 seconds per day and a 2,500 Gauss anti-magnetism rating, the RRM7309-CS automatic movement is another calibre of excellence.
As part of their birthday celebrations, BALL have launched a series of special limited edition timepieces in honour of their remarkable heritage. Alongside the Trainmaster Railroad Standard 130 Year Limited Edition watch which we reviewed here, the new Engineer M Pioneer Limited Edition collection applauds their founder, Webb C Ball, and his history of establishing the Official Railroad Standard. After a devastating train crash resulted from poor precision of a conductor’s watch, Webb C Ball was appointed as the Chief Time Inspector to ensure very employee of the American railway, from engineers, brakeman, fireman and conductors, were equipped with BALL-certified watches which promised an accuracy of 4 to +6 seconds per day. The new collection of BALL Engineer M Pioneer watches continues this legacy with a brand new in-house manufacture movement, still chronometer certified and equipped with the industry’s latest precision-keeping technologies.
One of the core advantages of the new Manufacture Calibre RRM7309-S is its silicon balance spring. A balance spring is what regulates a movement’s accuracy and since it is finer than a human hair, it can be delicate and highly susceptible to the effects of magnetism – a factor that can make the movement run abnormally fast or stop it from running at all. Silicon, however, is anti-magnetic and corrosion resistant giving the BALL Engineer M Pioneer Limited Edition collection increased levels of efficiency and reliability. In fact, the silicon balance spring in the Manufacture Calibre RRM7309-S promises a 2,500 Gauss anti-magnetism rating.
Another huge benefit of the Manufacture Calibre RRM7309-S is its chronometer certification. BALL Watch Company are certainly no strangers to such accreditation, with almost all of their luxury watch collections showcasing COSC-certified movements. The BALL Engineer M Pioneer Limited Edition is no different, promising an accuracy range of 2/+5 seconds per day (a rating even better than that set by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute of -4 to +6 seconds per day). The automatic BALL Manufacture calibre RRM7309-CS continues to impress with a near unbeatable power reserve of 80 hours, a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and 25 jewels.
There are currently three BALL Engineer M Pioneer Limited Edition watches to choose from, each dressed entirely in corrosion resistant 904L stainless steel and paired with a black, green or blue dial. The cases measure to 40 millimetre in diameter, weigh in at 180 grams on the wrist and are fitted with a smooth unadorned bezel, matching steel bracelet, anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass and an exhibition case back. A screw in knurled crown at 3 o’clock also ensures a water resistance of up to 100 metres.
Like so many BALL watches, the three dial colours are paired with micro gas tubes for night reading capability. There are 51 micro gas tubes in total and two variations of colour to choose from. The first is named ‘Classic’ delivering green and yellow luminosity and the second “Rainbow” opts for a variety of colours including green, yellow, blue, pink and orange. The micro gas tubes are equipped on the large Arabic numerals, minutes track, 24 hour scale and central hands for hours, minutes and seconds. The dial is also home to a magnified date window at 3 o’clock.
For more information on the BALL Engineer M Pioneer watch collection and to order your own limited edition of 100 pieces, head over to the Jura Watches website here or contact our team on 01335 453453.
Specifications: BALL Engineer M Pioneer Limited Edition Watches
- Case Size: 40mm
- Case Material: 904L stainless steel
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: Automatic BALL Manufacture calibre RRM7309-CS
- COSC: Yes
- Anti Magnetism: 2,500 Gauss
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Jewels: 25
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Black, green or blue with 51 micro gas tubes
- Strap: 904L stainless steel bracelet
- Buckle: Folding
- RRP: £2,950
- Limited Edition: 100 pieces each
