So...the new to me (preowned) Ball Fireman II on bracelet arrived this week.  This is my very first Ball timepiece and my first watch with Tritium tubes!!!

I have always liked the history behind the Ball watch brand and as I began to research various Ball watches, I was drawn to the Fireman model for it's simple, classic design...just a great looking piece. 

Those familiar with the Ball brand know that the lineup is quite varied with some models offering dial designs that are on the very complex side (many designs offer an abundance of tubes including the dial numerals......for now, I like the fact that the Fireman line both 1st and 2nd generation does not use tubes to form the numerals on the dial).  For a "pilot style" timepiece, maintaining that simple/classic design is really appealing to me.

While I'm talking about 1st and 2nd gen pieces...I have to admit that I have pondered Ball carrying over some 1st gen design elements to the gen II model (heh...would not mind having a "tube" on the seconds hand like the 1st gen model...and I do really like the additional hour numeral markers and dots from the 1st gen, but it's not a deal killer for the gen II model...if anything the 2nd gen dial is overall a little more simple, with numerals only marking the 12, 9, and 6 positions...the tubes are less numerous than the gen I model (14 versus 16 total), but the hour marker tritium tubes are longer on the new gen II model where the hour numerals have been removed at 1,2, 4,5, 7,8, and 10,11 o'clock).  Bottom line, I really love the simple, classic, design of the gen II model.

The first thing I noticed when receiving this model was the heft considering its rather non-bulky size...this is a watch that is very nicely sized for my average 7.25" wrist (43mm case diameter not including the crown and 12mm thick).  This watch wears very easily, very comfortably, and I attribute the heft to the very, very solid construction including a killer constructed bracelet with some of the most tightly toleranced solid endlinks that I've seen on a watch at any price...the gap tolerance between the endlink and case is just so tight, resulting in a fantastic fit.hand6.gif

The machine finish on the case and bracelet is really second to none and considering the sub-$700 price I paid for this on the preowned market, I am truly a happy WIS.  The pictures do not do justice to this piece (it is definely one of those watches that you appreciate more by holding in your hand and getting a close look).  The case/bracelet is completely brushed/satin in finish, but the contrasting grain directions for the (very, very nicely brushed finish here...silky looking and feeling and reminds me of the finish on a big brand name that starts with R and ends in X...hmmm nice) case make the overall look very nice.  I am serious here when I say you could compare the case and bracelet machining/construction to some very big name pieces that cost multiple X more than the Ball.  The machined recesses in the case sides (with contrasting vertical grain) add very nice case design interest.  ...very cool hand6.gif

Some top-level specs:

Movement: ETA 2824-2  25 jewels Swiss Automatic
Functions: Date calendar, window display.
(14 micro gas lights (3H) tubes on hour, minute hands and dial for night reading capability)
Shock Resistance:   5,000 G's
Case Back:  Screw-down style (threaded). Factory Engraved/Raised Logo.
Crown:  Signed Screw down

Band:  Satin finish. Solid Stainless steel.
Clasp: Traditional tang / deployment style. Factory Logo engraved/embossed.
Water Resistance:  100m/330ft /10atm.
Case Size:  43.00 mm diameter excluding crown. 12 mm thick.

Well...I'm very happy with this acquisition so far and consider it a great addition to my small but growing collection.  It is really a rarity in my lineup as ALL of my pieces have a rotating bezel of some kind in the design.

This is also my first watch with Tritium tubes and I have to say I am truly loving the "always on" nature of the tubes.  Regardless of whether or not the watch has been sleeping under your shirt sleeve, you have fantastic lume and night visibility under all conditions...again, very cool.hand6.gif

This is a definite keeper and one that I can easily go back to time and time again.  My first Ball, but definitely not my last!!!

A review here at 3T would definitely not be complete without pics, so here you go....







Cool Railroad Caseback...





Very comfortable on the wrist...



Love the "always-on" tubes....

Last edited on Sun Jan 17th, 2010 01:09 am by stew77