WWR #15: Ball Engineer Master II Aviator 46mm

I came across Ball in one of their magazine ads showing some free diver breaking a record dive.  Then I saw another one with the Wright Brothers then another feature for another astronaut.  Aside from that, I knew Ball as one of the first watches who used titrium gas lights for illumination rather than the usual luminous paint.  Most stores I visit who sell Ball watches have this display where the watches displayed have their lights dimmed so that people can see the gas lights working.  First impression would be that their brands would cost an arm or leg, but no. I mean for it's basic features, you can't get better value than that.

My Weekly Watch Recommendation #15 is the Ball Engineer Master II Aviator 46mm.  Model number is NM1080C-L1-BK.  What I like about this watch is that it got the classic edges and hues of an aviator watch but added some design in dial, hands and indices that would make it a Ball Watch.  It is powered by an ETA 2836-2 movement that is protected from shocks of up to 5,000 Gs, magnetism to up to 4,800 a/m, water resistance to up to 100m by a wide 46mm stainless steel case.  The hands and hour indices are all applied with self-powered micro gas lights that they say light up 100 times brighter than luminous paint for 25 years.  You won't expect some patina like a rollie on this after the lights go down but hey, 100 times, thats more than a justification.  And the next best thing is that the watch retails around $1,600.  I bet if these were stamped with other Brands, the prices would sky rocket a couple of times over.

Ball also has another smaller version of the watch at 44m, for those who like to keep it down low or with smaller wrists.