BALL Watch Company previously took up the bold challenge of reviving a resonant part of its watchmaking heritage in the form of the Engineer Master II Skindiver II. Following the collective success of this model as soon as it launched, the Ball Watch Company now once again meets the expectations of all lovers of vintage diver's watches with this new additional Engineer Master II Skindiver II Heritage Black Ref. DM3308A-SC-BK. Just like its predecessor, the Chronometer grade Engineer Master II Skindiver II Heritage Black takes its inspiration directly from the first "BALL Skindiver" timepiece conceived in 1962 in response to the increasing popularity of underwater diving in the United States, the original homeland of BALL watches.

Ball Engineer Master II Skindiver II Heritage Ref. DM3308A-SCJ-BK

The launch of this watch followed the creation of the "Underwater Society of America" in 1959. This public organization is responsible for promotional work and providing training about diving, as well as organizing competitions. A practice dating back several thousand years, diving developed as a sport and method for exploring the seabed after the Second World War. It gradually split into two codes: scuba diving and skin diving or free diving.

For many years now, BALL Watch has played a pioneering role in the design of diver's watches, especially through its extraordinary partnership with the multiple world champion constant weight freediver Guillaume Néry. This outstanding human and technical exploit has been a source of inspiration for an entire range of diver's watches at the cutting edge of modern watchmaking technology. Once again, BALL Watch is proud to introduce a new model into the ranks of the Engineer Master II collection, paying tribute both to the history of the watch itself and to the heritage of underwater exploration.

Swiss Made Chronometer Ceramic Bezel Tritium

This timepiece combines a resolutely vintage 1960s design with the codes and technology of contemporary watchmaking. The development of this new model led to a stainless steel case of more than adequate dimensions, with a 42 mm diameter and a height of 15 mm. The water-resistance of the Engineer Master II Skindiver II Heritage Black Ref. DM3308A-SC-BK, an essential feature of any diver's watch, is appropriate at a depth of 300 meters, an improvement of 100m from its previous iteration; the Ref. DM3208B-S1-BK. The use of a timepiece at such distance from the surface made it necessary to fit the case with a screw-in crown and case-back. As per Ball's timepiece, the 60s diver has impeccable finishings with intricate satin-brush at the top to the sides, separated with high-polished bevel lines for the added contrast. A Ball patented Mu-metal shield for unsurpassed anti-magnetic of up to 80,000A/m. and shock resistant to 5000Gs.

Now let's get a little more tacky. The uni-directional rotating ceramic bezel which features for the first time in this collection bears luminous for exceptional nighttime legibility. This is Ball's marvel at best where both "vintage" aesthetics cross the path of modern technology. Further, being a unidirectional rotation of the bezel is a necessary safety guarantee for any diver's instrument, since it prevents any unintended maneuver from accidentally prolonging the indication of the time available for returning to the surface.

Deep Set Tritium Tubes

The black dial freed from all superfluous features to make the essential information immediately accessible during a dive. The very structure of the dial has been re-designed by incorporating a circular flange on which the minute scale is marked out. The hour markers on the dial are fitted with nano-tubes of luminescent H3 gas at five-minute intervals in baton shape. These also the same case with more nano-tubes applied to the semi-skeletonized sword hands. All these led to the state-of-the-art Swiss technology enables the watch's indications to remain visible even in the darkness of the ocean depths. A typical feature of the technical performance of BALL watches, these microtubes require no outside source of light and are up to 100 times more effective than conventional luminous paints.

Renowned for its precision and accuracy, a Swiss-made automatic BALL RR1102-C movement drives the basic hours, minutes, sweep seconds and date functions of the timepiece. This caliber complies with the criteria of the prestigious chronometer standard authorized by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), a guarantee of Swiss accuracy and reliability.

Luminous Dial & Bezel

Finally, the sublimely vintage look of the Engineer Master II Skindiver II Heritage Black Ref. DM3308A-SC-BK is rounded off by a sports bracelet with multi-finished stainless steel links, which immediately evokes a real diver's watch that is always ready for action. Today, more than ever, BALL Watch is continuing its journey and asserting its role as a key protagonist in the exploration of modern time and the evolution of watchmaking history.