BALL Watches are renowned for precision-made, highly accurate, innovative machines. However, their latest project, connected to the world of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), required a fundamentally different mindset and technical design. Introducing the new BALL Engineer Hydrocarbon EOD made in conjunction with the United States Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit. It's undoubtedly BALL's most robust and technically resistant watch to date.
What is EOD?
BALL Engineer Hydrocarbon EOD - Credit Ball
For those unfamiliar, EOD work involves the safe disposal of unexploded ordnance, be that weapons such as bombs or mortars which have failed to detonate or Improvised Explosive Devices left hidden by the enemy or terrorists. It is what we mere mortals call Bomb Disposal, and the men and women who undertake this task are some of the bravest in any Armed Force. The US Navy has a dedicated unit that operates under the "Initial Success or Total Failure" mission statement. That's military humour for you. Much of their work is also conducted underwater and can involve safely disposing of naval mines that lurk under the surface to detonate near warships.
BALL Engineer Hydrocarbon EOD - Credit Ball
Watches worn by such operators must be of a specific design to deal with the extreme environments of EID Water work and avoid triggering devices. Many are even made from polymer to avoid activating IEDs. However, BALL has developed a more technically advanced unit for this specialist sub-aquatic force.
The BALL Engineer Hydrocarbon EOD
The new 42mm titanium timepiece is equipped with a patented anti-shock system developed by BALL, making it highly resistant to all conditions. The watch's inner movement is protected by a newly developed elastomer ring, allowing the watch to resist a 10-meter free fall. The ring is made of a rubber material that is both flexible and resistant, long-lasting, and UV and sunlight damage resistant.
BALL Engineer Hydrocarbon EOD - Credit Ball
Crucially, the placement of the ring is everything, and BALL has located it around the dial and mechanical movement to allow the calibre crown stem, spring, and dial to move slightly while absorbing impacts. To protect the chronometer-certified movement and ensure its continued accuracy, there is a bespoke SpringSEAL patented regulator anti-shock system and a SpringLOCK patented hairspring anti-shock system. It is clear why the US Navy EOD Unit has selected this watch.
Complete resistance
The SpringSEAL protects the regulator's setting in the event of shock or impact. It locks this element of the movement in place, which means that there will never be the need for a reset. In parallel, the new SpringLOCK eliminates 66% of any shock that would be felt ordinarily by the balance spring. As this is a key component of any COSC movement, knowing how well it is protected is most reassuring.
BALL Engineer Hydrocarbon EOD - Credit Ball
The BALL EOD is anti-magnetic to 1,000 Gauss or 80,000 A/m. Mumetal is an alloy of nickel, iron, copper and molybdenum, effectively allowing magnetic forces to pass through and over it. BALL uses this advanced material to protect the inner workings of the EOD from magnetic forces.
The final exposed element of the watch, the crown, has also been protected in this unique watch. A special crown protector has been created that covers the crown, like a hatch, and prevents accidental impacts or actuation. This is one of the most effectively protected crowns in the business today.
BALL Engineer Hydrocarbon EOD - Credit Ball
The Engineer Hydrocarbon EOD features glowing self-powered micro gas tubes in both the indices and hands. Like any tritium-powered watch, this light source requires no external charging and consists of gas-filled glass microcapsules. On the Engineer Hydrocarbon EOD, the smallest tubes have been arranged to form numerals, a design feature we have not seen before and this level of attention to detail sets a new standard. Green and yellow tubes have been utilised, and the dual-coloured luminescence is genuinely compelling. Super LumiNova has been deployed on the bezel, which is set in a traditional time-elapsed dive arrangement, highly appropriate for a 300M dive watch.
The BALL EOD is powered by a COSC-certified BALL RR1101-CSL automatic calibre, which uses an ETA 2892-A2 as a base. This has an hour, minute and sweep seconds hand and a date magnified by a Cyclops-style lens integrated into the main sapphire crystal. BALL uses a unique movement oil to handle temperatures from -45 to 80 C°. The Engineer Hydrocarbon EOD is water resistant to 300M, and the piece is fitted as standard with anti-reflective sapphire crystal and a tapered titanium and stainless steel bracelet.
BALL Engineer Hydrocarbon EOD - Credit Ball
The watch comes in two different styles, both of which are very striking. A black dial is standard for both watches, but users can select between a unidirectional bezel in stainless steel or black ceramic. The United States Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal insignia has been embossed on the case back to solidify the watch's capability.
In every measurable way, the BALL Engineer Hydrocarbon EOD is a genuinely cutting-edge watch which brings something new to both the dive watch genre and the world of military watches. Here at WatchGecko we hope to have one on "test and evaluation" and get real time hands-on with some of these unique design features.
Model Number:
- DM3200A-S1C-BK / DM3200A-S2C-BK
Movement:
- Automatic caliber BALL RR1101-CSL
- Chronometer certified COSC
- SpringLOCK® patented hairspring anti-shock system
- SpringSEAL® patented regulator anti-shock system
- Special movement oil to endure -45°C to 80°C / -49°F to 176°F
Functions:
- 28 micro gas tubes on hour, minute and second hands, dial and bezel for night reading capability
- Shock resistant to 50,000Gs
- Anti-magnetic to 1,000 Gauss / 80,000A/m
- Water resistant to 300m / 1,000ft
- Hours, minutes, sweep seconds and magnified date
Case:
- Titanium Ø 42mm, height 13.7mm
- Luminous ceramic or stainless steel unidirectional rotating bezel with gas tube inset
- Mu-metal shield
- Patented shock absorption elastomer ring
- Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
- Patented crown protection system
Band:
- Tapered titanium and stainless steel bracelet with patented folding buckle
Dial:
- Black
