BALL Watches

BALL is a brand with a unique past. Founded in America in 1891 in Cleveland, Ohio, by jeweler and watchmaker Webb C. Ball,  the company is credited with contributing to the safety of America’s railroad system thanks to its incredibly precise watches. The founder was even celebrated by the Horological Institute of America in 1921. Today, based out of La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, Ball watch company creates watches that pay homage to the people who work hard to tame the big machines we need, some of whom are national heroes. Collections include the Railroad, Engineer, Fireman, Trainmaster, Conductor, and others.

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History of BALL

BALL is a Swiss luxury watch company founded by Webster Clay Ball in Ohio, Cleveland, which is today based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. The story started in 1891 when Webb C. Ball was appointed the “Chief Time Inspector” to make train rides safe for travelers and employees. Ball began as a time inspection company for railway road watches.

Webb C. Ball started the vast BALL network with his early inspection system. This network eventually covered 75% of the railroads in the United States and protected 175,000 miles of railroad. Webb C. Ball also expanded his system into Mexico and Canada. In addition, Webb C. Ball developed the RR standard certification. Individuals seeking accreditation for the RR Standard were required to meet some specifications. These specifications ranged from the physical characteristics of the timepiece to the watch’s accuracy. The RR standard received a good deal of use from railroad companies and became mandatory for all railroad employees.

After Webb C. Ball died in 1922, his family operated the company until the 1990s. The family then sold the business with the right to use the BALL name, which led to the company’s relocation to La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.

Webb C. Ball – the “Chief Time Inspector.”

Timekeeping was not very accurate before the development of the railroads across the United States. Each town kept its own local time based on the sun’s position. The advent of trains connecting distant cities made it difficult to avoid collisions. After a tragic train wreck in Kipton, Ohio 1891, Webb C. Ball was appointed as the “Chief Time Inspector.”

The Ball Time Service the RR Standard

Webb C. Ball created the Ball Time Service, which every rail employee had to use every two weeks to ensure their watch was accurate and reliable. His RR (RR stands for Rail Road) certification assured high accuracy of all the timepieces and had to follow these criteria:

  • The dial must have no lid, size 18 or 16 (44.86mm and 43.17mm, respectively)
  • Plain white dial with bold black hands and Arabic numerals
  • Seven jewels must be a minimum.
  • Accuracy of maximum 30 seconds per week
  • Must be lever-set Adjustable to at least five positions

Who Owns BALL?

BALL is a Swiss-owned, Swiss-based, independently owned brand managed by a board of directors whose identities remain confidential. 

Fun Fact – The Ball Explorer Club 

BALL has collaborated with mountaineers, astronauts, and oceanographers to create iconic watches for its BALL Explorer Club. For example, BALL worked with Jim Whittaker (the first American to summit Mt. Everest) to develop the Engineer Hydrocarbon collection. BALL designed the Fireman Ionosphere and limited edition Fireman Skylab watches in collaboration with NASA astronaut Owen Garriott. BALL also worked with Dr. Christopher Hillman (a pro-bono doctor to nomadic communities) to create the Trainmaster Pulsemeter Pro and the limited edition Trainmaster Doctor’s Chronograph.

BALL Collections

Official Railroad Watch Collection

Engineer Hydrocarbon Collection

Engineer III Collection

Engineer II Collection

Engineer Master II Collection

Trainmaster Collection

Conductor Collection

Roadmaster Collection

Fireman Collection