Author Topic: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph  (Read 27535 times)

Offline chrisyen

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ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« on: October 30, 2009, 11:52:00 PM »
never plan to write review on this in the beginning....
but just now during the gtg.... seems not many forum members know bout ball watches....
i'm actually surprise, because ball has been advertise frequently in malaysia!

i owned a engineer hydrocarbon classic ii before

bought new, after wearing it for 2 years... i sold it to a pre owned shop at 20% lost... or just a couple of hundred (RM)
and the pre owned shop sold it just a day later...
so i'm pretty surprise it retain better value than rolex in malaysia!
i've been observing ball watches at pre owned shop.... it sell less than 2 days every time.... especially hydrocarbon series!

is the tritium actually make it selling well?

the answer is....
ball made a good watch and price is affordable!
if u happen to buy a fireman last time at good discount... u can actually sell it online with profit now!

i got this yesterday from postman....


then i drive 50km away from my office to buy the rubber strap.... (i afraid it will gone since it is selling at very good price)
so this is what i got now

the box, warranty car, bracelet & watch on original rubber strap!

Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Chronograph Diver
ref: DC1016A-SJ-BK


official spec

Movement:    ETA/VALJOUX Cal. 7750 25 jewels Swiss Automatic.

Movement Features:    Cold temperature endurance to -40 C.

Functions:    Day/Date calendar, window display. 12 hr, 30 min, 60 sec registers chronograph.

Case:    Satin finish. Pure Titanium.

Bezel:    Solid stainless steel. Uni-Directional rotating, ratcheted, 0-60 Elapsed-Time.

Crown:    Factory Logo engraved/embossed. Sport style, screw-down (threaded). Patented crown protection system.

Crystal:    Sapphire. Anti-Glare treated. Flat profile.

Dial:    Black color. 30 micro gas light (3H) tubes on hour, minute, second hands and dial for night reading capability.

Hands:    polish steel. yellow color.

Case Back:    Screw-down style ( threaded ). Factory Engraved/Raised Logo.

Band:    Satin finish. Special bracelet, each segment consisting of 2 parts made with titanium and stainless steel.

Clasp:    Tri-fold, Sport style, with security flip-lock and over-the-wetsuit expansion.

Water Resistance:    300m/990ft/30atm.

Case Size:    diameter 42.00mm. thickness 18.00mm.

Warranty:    2 years Factory Limited.

Other:    Shock resistance: 7,500Gs

Anti-magnetic: 12,000A/m.fitted with soft iron case.


caseback engraved with submarine

u can never forget to shoot a lume shot for all ball watches. they look gorgeous in dark


with the spec provided... selling cheaper than oris and tag.... worth?


it look better than oris and tag to me...

personal feel... as a owner of ball hydrocarbon classic for 2 yrs and the chronograph for a day? i'll say!
1. its worth every cent u spend.... u wont get the same from other brand! shock resistant, water resistant, low frozen oil, anti magnetic, brightest tritium tube.... tell me which brand have all this and selling same price?

2. the finishing is top class. the case is well finished, solid, well cut, best polish!

3. the crown guard is easiest to operate and its function able and good looking...

4. the bracelet is really really well built, good looking, comfort (2 half link provided), solid and thick (the clasp is as solid as u can get) much better than rolex and all other swiss and german brand. if the diver extension can adjust glide lock like deepsea and seiko mm.... then its perfect!

5. the lume is just very very useful

now u all know why ball watches growths fast and price is keep going up wards as well!



Offline David_cheong

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #1 on: October 31, 2009, 09:02:24 AM »
Hey, I owned a fireman series before. But your really beat the crowd.  :Cheers:

Sold off mine at a loss and now really regrets.... :Mad:

Never mind...more excuses to hunt for more watches............

DC
I am almost a recovered watchaholic, but last checked shows only 70% recovered. How?

Offline JPSP

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #2 on: October 31, 2009, 10:58:11 AM »
if i were to buy a BALL, i think it'll be the hydrocarbon series because of its robustness...unfortunately, i'm not a fan of their other series.

Congrats on the watch, bro!

Offline takashi78

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #3 on: October 31, 2009, 12:25:48 PM »
Great GTG yesterday.
Didnt know you just got that Ball, thought was some time ago.
The rubber strap is really well built and the price you bought is a steal for an ori strap.

Offline chrisyen

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #4 on: November 01, 2009, 09:17:06 AM »
Hey, I owned a fireman series before. But your really beat the crowd.  :Cheers:

Sold off mine at a loss and now really regrets.... :Mad:

Never mind...more excuses to hunt for more watches............

DC

fren, last time if u know how and where to bargain.... fireman cost u around rm2k...
now online i see people selling used 1 at usd700
if u managed to get the first 3 color tritium version.... another usd100 maybe...
so thats why i said it keep very good value...

but nowadays ball watches went up alot....
so guyz.... dont think of making money from buying watches... u'll be happier...
if u dont want to loose so much... find some bargain in used watch market....

Offline danny

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #5 on: November 02, 2009, 08:34:19 AM »

if u dont want to loose so much... find some bargain in used watch market....

Very sound advice.

Great review Chris. Congratulations. Having seen the watch in person during the GTG I totally agree with your assessment on Ball watch quality and value. Thanks for sharing.
 :Cheers:

Offline eckoric85

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #6 on: November 07, 2009, 10:57:14 AM »
wow...great pics there, I've got the The engineering hydrocarbon too, and i really like the amount of quality and engineering they put into every watch they manufacture.......but sometimes i think its over engineered don't you think? every peice of BALL that i've owned seems to be very heavy

Offline chrisyen

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #7 on: November 07, 2009, 02:23:13 PM »
wow...great pics there, I've got the The engineering hydrocarbon too, and i really like the amount of quality and engineering they put into every watch they manufacture.......but sometimes i think its over engineered don't you think? every peice of BALL that i've owned seems to be very heavy

to use 2 screw pins to secure the strap is over engineered...
the rest is ok to me...wr, anti magnetic, shock resistant.... is actually not difficult to achieve in the modern world...
i'm fairly disappointed for those who never provide all these feature but selling at higher price!

heavy due to all round 316L st steel...
i tried the hydrocarbon alligator on bracelet... its not easy to handle... yes!
the watch head is thick and the bracelet is one of the thickest i ever seen !

but my hydrocarbon is mixed of titanium and st steel...
some more i wear it with rubber strap... so its not heavy....

Offline peanut

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #8 on: November 27, 2009, 04:15:28 PM »
Good review.  I bought a fireman a while back and I am still wearing it once in a while despite it is competing for attention with others such as Blancpain, Glashutte, etc.   :)

Offline eckoric85

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #9 on: December 09, 2009, 08:52:56 AM »
over engineered or not, i still think its the best watch today. Diving,artic exploration,space duty and etc and it just survives......

But the watch ever drops on to your beautifull marble/wood flooring... the floor will not survive, trust me on that, my engineer hydrocarbon broke my rm200/pc marble tile, and there's not problem with the watch, it still ticks, but then, a slight dent serve as a reminder of the accident, a very slight difficult to notice dent.

Offline chrisyen

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #10 on: December 09, 2009, 09:30:48 AM »
over engineered or not, i still think its the best watch today. Diving,artic exploration,space duty and etc and it just survives......

But the watch ever drops on to your beautifull marble/wood flooring... the floor will not survive, trust me on that, my engineer hydrocarbon broke my rm200/pc marble tile, and there's not problem with the watch, it still ticks, but then, a slight dent serve as a reminder of the accident, a very slight difficult to notice dent.

WAH.... Ball shock resistant is damn good then !
WAH.... what marble is that?


Offline HW-Racer

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #11 on: April 16, 2010, 08:32:45 PM »
after owning the firemen for 2 years...i manged to sell it for RM1600...for trade in...

now i am thinking of selling my 4 months old (bought in dec 2009) Ball Night Train (leather strap)....bought around RM4100.... any idea
which shop i can sell it to ? in Klang valley ??

Offline ck77

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #12 on: April 16, 2010, 08:47:36 PM »
after owning the firemen for 2 years...i manged to sell it for RM1600...for trade in...

now i am thinking of selling my 4 months old (bought in dec 2009) Ball Night Train (leather strap)....bought around RM4100.... any idea
which shop i can sell it to ? in Klang valley ??

Welcome to the forum  ;)
You can bring to pre-owned shops in Summit, Sg Wang, Timesquare, Bangsar Village, Central Market, Ampang Point. But don't expect high price.

Offline HW-Racer

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #13 on: April 18, 2010, 08:32:01 PM »

how do I post my Watch For sale...at the clasified section ?? can't find the New Post button ??


Anyway... i like the Ball Night Train very much...especially the lume.... i bought it in dec 2009 and still
with 2 years plus warranty... the reason for me selling it...as I find that leather strap not so
suitable for me...sweaty person..... thinking of getting the Hydrocarbon Mad Cow or the
Diver II chornometer(posted in the classified section)..in stainless bracelet

Offline HW-Racer

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #14 on: April 22, 2010, 07:45:38 PM »

my Night Train just sold yesterday....lost few hundred...

Offline chrisyen

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #15 on: April 23, 2010, 10:25:50 AM »

my Night Train just sold yesterday....lost few hundred...

buy a few thousand watch and wear then sell at few hundred lost! This is a damn good deal... Buy a panerai and rolex new then wear it and sell... U'll lost more in percentage I guaranttee! Except certain special limited model!

So compare with other similar range brand n c?

Btw I knew who bought ur night train! Lol

Offline HW-Racer

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #16 on: April 23, 2010, 08:47:46 PM »

just worn my Night train a few times only...cost me few hundreds...  :'(

...anyway... looking for another Ball...either the Mad cow...or Engineer II diver....

Offline engkow

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #17 on: April 29, 2010, 07:54:03 AM »
I just bought a hydrocarbon classic 11 two days ago online , there problem your classic 11 rotating bezel the numbers glow, mine do not, Why?
Can anyone tell me, Please. Thanks

Offline HW-Racer

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #18 on: April 29, 2010, 08:58:15 PM »
don't understand your question ??

Offline engkow

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #19 on: April 30, 2010, 12:41:41 PM »
the bezel do not glow 15, 30, 45 and other.

Offline chrisyen

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #20 on: April 30, 2010, 03:10:59 PM »
the bezel do not glow 15, 30, 45 and other.

bezel marker is normal non radioactive luminous compound, no tritium content, how to grow?
Use a spot light to charge it it will grow!

Offline azzamov

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #21 on: May 03, 2010, 03:14:30 PM »
over engineered or not, i still think its the best watch today. Diving,artic exploration,space duty and etc and it just survives......

But the watch ever drops on to your beautifull marble/wood flooring... the floor will not survive, trust me on that, my engineer hydrocarbon broke my rm200/pc marble tile, and there's not problem with the watch, it still ticks, but then, a slight dent serve as a reminder of the accident, a very slight difficult to notice dent.

WAH.... Ball shock resistant is damn good then !
WAH.... what marble is that?


Totally agreed on Ball watch quality and value. I've decided to purchase Ball Storm Chaser over Tag Carrera  :thumbsup:

Offline jacky8888

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #22 on: May 11, 2010, 08:20:49 AM »
hi.. i am new here... i am really interested in buying Ball Hydrocarbon Spacemaster white dial (looks bigger than the black one) .. any reliable watchshop out there in Klang Valley?? suggestions? and may i know wat is the discount structure??.. pls.. PM me... thanks
Jacky Wong

Offline ck77

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #23 on: May 11, 2010, 11:19:56 AM »
hi.. i am new here... i am really interested in buying Ball Hydrocarbon Spacemaster white dial (looks bigger than the black one) .. any reliable watchshop out there in Klang Valley?? suggestions? and may i know wat is the discount structure??.. pls.. PM me... thanks

Can try Hxxx Txxx Watch at Bangsar Village.
« Last Edit: May 11, 2010, 03:54:49 PM by scottchung1128 »

Offline jacky8888

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Re: ball engineer hydrocarbon chronograph
« Reply #24 on: May 11, 2010, 03:02:15 PM »
Thanks a lot... will go there this weekend.
Jacky Wong