Credits: Article and images by Ian Skellern @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2024/10/28/ball-watch-roadmaster-m-model-a-innovative-alarm-gmt-and-lights-up-bright-at-night/
Ball Watch have stepped up their game with an innovative mechanical alarm watch with second time zone and a manufacture automatic movement plus their trademark super bright tritium tubes that light up the night.
Ball Watch Roadmaster M Model A Alarm and GMT
The Ball Watch Roadmaster M Model A is no chirping cricket when the alarm rings, the sound is more like a school bell.
From the press release:
If there’s one thing that defines Ball Watch Company, it’s the innate determination to break new ground with technological innovations. Whether it was its founder, Webb C. Ball, setting a visionary official standard for the railroad industry over 130 years ago, or the recent launch of four manufacture calibers in the span of seven years, Ball Watch Company remains true to the same principle.
Ball Watch Roadmaster M Model A Alarm and GMT
This year, Ball Watch Company unveils the Roadmaster M Model A, powered by its fifth Ball Manufacture Caliber RRM7379 – an automatic tool watch that combines alarm and GMT functionalities.
About the Ball Watch Company
Ball Watch Company is a timekeeping pioneer and celebrated manufacturer of quality, precise and reliable timepieces since 1891.
The company was literally founded by accident. Following a tragic 1891 Kipton, Ohio head-on train collision, American railroad companies appointed Webster Clay Ball “Chief Time Inspector” to supervise newly synchronized timing protocols.
This standardized “railroad time” efficiency originated the popular “Be on the Ball” proverb and inspired the future Swiss Society of Chronometry (COSC) which governs the highest watch timing certification standards today.
About Patrick’s Labs
To provide improvement and even more innovation than in the past, Ball Watch Company established its first spin-off company, Patrick’s Labs. A Research and Development Center, this new division focuses on its domain of expertise by gathering a wide range of knowledge.
Patrick’s Labs enables Ball Watch Company to be at the forefront of research and innovation by introducing technically ground-breaking products and solutions.
Innovative Mechanical Alarm
The horology world is no stranger to the mechanical alarm complication, a particularly important and useful function. At its simplest, an alarm complication consists of a hammer striking a gong to produce sound. We hear sound when vibrations create sound waves that travel through mediums, influenced by various factors affecting the final timbre.
Yet, controlling the quality and duration of the bell often becomes quite complex – and that’s the challenge Ball accepted.
With traditional mechanical alarm wristwatches, the bell is often characterized as a cricket’s rattle due to its low pitch. The Model A raises the bar with the patented AlarmMATIC® system, allowing to fine-tune each factor to produce a pleasant school bell sound that runs for approximately 18 seconds when fully powered.
Ring-shaped metal gong sounds the alarm in the Ball Watch Roadmaster M Model A
For starters, instead of a dome-shaped gong, Ball opted for a ring-shaped metal gong, protected by an outer layer of specially made polymer.
This dual-material structure is a versatile creation. It isolates the high-pitched bell, eliminates unwanted noise and vibrations and also serves as the Amortiser® anti-shock system, safeguarding the mechanical movement against severe external impact.
Alarm hammer mechanism of the Ball Watch Roadmaster M Model A
With meticulous calculation of the ideal striking frequency and force of the one-piece hammer, the AlarmMATIC® system delivers a crisper, purer and louder chime than ever before.
The pursuit of excellence goes beyond the audible part of the design. True to its automatic nature, the Model A is self-winding. You only need to wear the watch to power the movement’s two mainsprings: one for standard timekeeping and the other to power the alarm.
Ball Watch Roadmaster M Model A caseband and crowns
The crown at 4 o’clock is the all-in-one control for the alarm function, including manual winding, setting the alarm in 5-minute intervals, and engaging or silencing the alarm.
Bright sound meets bold glow
The layered construction of the dial retains the minimalistic style of Ball’s signature design, with hour markers formed by baton-shaped self-powered micro gas tubes. The rainbow motif adds a subtle flair in darkness.
Ball Watch Roadmaster M Model A rainbow dial at night
But there’s more going on beneath the surface. Under the middle layer of the dial, 12 hidden openings further enhance the sound experience. The center layer, which is actually the alarm setting disc, has a gas tube mounted underneath to ensure the alarm is uniquely adjustable in low-light environments.
Ball Manufacture Caliber RRM7379
When greatness calls, the Model A is ready with more – more precision, more practicality, and more purpose.
Back of the Ball Watch Roadmaster M Model A Alarm and GMT
Ball’s in-house alarm GMT caliber beats with remarkable Swiss-made precision, delivering an accuracy range of -4 to +6 seconds per day.
Ball Watch automatic manufacture caliber RRM7379
It powers the patented mechanical alarm as well as the quick-set GMT hand. Each allows users to easily read a secondary time zone while the highly scratch-resistant 24-hour ceramic bezel lets you track the time in a third geographic zone.
Ball Watch Roadmaster M Model A Alarm and GMT
Take your senses along for the ride
From its sound and shine all the way to its steel, the Model A is simply radiant.
Measuring 41mm in diameter and 15.2mm thick, the 904L stainless steel case provides the touch of comfortable curves and extreme performance.
Its unique chemical composition features extra amounts of chromium, molybdenum, nickel, and copper – in comparison to other grades of steel – resulting in superior corrosion and rust resistance.
Ball Watch Roadmaster M Model A
With style and strength, including lugs drilled with screws, the 904L case is equal parts trusted ally and utter showstopper.
For more information, please visit www.ballwatch.com/global/1/collections/series/roadmaster—94.html
Quick facts: Ball Watch Roadmaster M Model A
Movement: Automatic manufacture caliber Ball RRM7379
Functions: Hours, minutes, sweep seconds, magnified date, GMT, alarm
29 micro gas tubes on hour, minute and GMT hands and dial for night reading capability
AlarmMATIC® patented 12-hour automatic mechanical alarm
Luminous three time zone indication
Shock resistant to 5,000Gs
Anti-magnetic to 4,800A/m
Water resistant to 100m/330ft
Dial: Black with rainbow gas tubes
Case:
904L stainless steel
diameter 41mm, height 15.2mm
Luminous ceramic bi-directional rotating bezel
Amortiser® patented anti-shock system
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Sapphire crystal transparent case back
Screwed-in crowns with double-gasket
Bracelet/buckle: Tapered stainless steel bracelet with folding buckle
Limitation: 333 pieces
Price: US$ 6,299.-
You might also enjoy:
Credits: Article and images by Ian Skellern @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2024/10/28/ball-watch-roadmaster-m-model-a-innovative-alarm-gmt-and-lights-up-bright-at-night/
