Recently, Ball watches has been very prolific - but this is not uncommon for a Swiss watch company with a previously American name, primarily owned by a Hong Kong businessman. Over the years, we have enjoyed such a variety of Ball watches that, if you haven't been following the brand's development, it can be overwhelming. The reason I admire Ball so much is that, like the watchmakers of the past, the company team treats each product release as an opportunity to experiment with something new - even if the change is minor.
This trend, along with the many different series that Ball participates in each year, has led to the creation of a true evolutionary tree of watch design, details, concepts, styles, and names that belong to the great family of Ball watches. Today, I am reviewing an interesting specimen known as the Ball Engineer II Skindiver Heritage reference DM3208A-S4/P4-BK. Don't confuse them with the slightly more expensive Ball Engineer Master II Skindiver Heritage, which also looks almost identical to this model if you don't know what to look for.
However, at the moment, Ball only offers the Engineer II Skindiver Heritage model, not the Engineer Master II Skindiver Heritage in a steel case with a black titanium carbide coating. The models also differ in bezel material. The Engineer Master II Skindiver Heritage has a ceramic bezel with traditional luminescent inside, while the Engineer II Skindiver Heritage has a rotating bezel with a curved transparent sapphire crystal cover under which are markers illuminated by tritium gas tubes. Frankly, I prefer this look to the ceramic bezel (which is stylish and functional, but at the same time, it starts to look somewhat standard as black polished ceramic bezel inserts on dive watches are now very common).
What the Ball Engineer II Skindiver Heritage has is a fun multicolor hour marker indicator with tritium gas tubes, which, combined with yellow tritium gas tubes on the hands, features blue, pink, green, orange, and white tritium gas tubes. According to Ball, there are a total of 31 tritium gas tubes between the dial and bezel of the Engineer II Skindiver Heritage. The watch case is also water-resistant to 200 meters, has a sapphire crystal with AR coating over the dial, and, in these models, a very practical design of the crown with knurling and corresponding texture on the outer periphery of the bezel. Considering the 'heritage' in the name, the watch case does not have a crown.
The black-colored steel case is 42 mm wide, 14.6 mm thick, and lug-to-lug distance is approximately 53 mm, although on the bracelet it is slightly large, and the lug-to-lug distance is closer to 58 mm. Like many other Ball watches, these boast above-average shock and magnetic resistance (however, due to the exhibition case back, these watches will not be the most anti-magnetic Ball watches). In fact, the Engineer Master II Skindiver Heritage is a better choice if you're looking for serious magnetic resistance in a watch.
Inside the watch is a basic Swiss automatic movement ETA 2836, which Ball calls the Ball RR110w automatic caliber. It features a time indicator as well as a day/date indicator window at the '3 o'clock' position. The self-winding movement operates at a frequency of 4 Hz, with a power reserve of about two days. The Engineer II Skindiver Heritage watches, part of Ball's mid-range, are supplied on a simple Ball Engineer-style bracelet. It has a characteristic link appearance but a more straightforward folding clasp (which also includes a stamped metal diver's extension). Even if it is not one of Ball's most sophisticated bracelet attachment systems, it is a tried and true approach, offering an optimal combination of comfort, security, and adjustability.
The matching black-coated steel bracelet costs only $100 more than the Ball DM3208B-P4-BK model, which is the same watch but on a black rubber strap. In this regard, I don't understand why Ball doesn't sell one watch package that comes with both a black rubber strap and a matching bracelet.
Moving on to the watch dial, I was impressed by the overall legibility. Ball has named so many watches 'Engineer, Skindiver, Heritage, etc.' that there are no real expectations about what the dial should look like. The most 'Ball-like' feature on the dial is the Engineer Master-style hands. Otherwise, it's a fairly simple, if not utilitarian, watch dial with great appeal. Of course, black (instead of white) date and day discs to match the dial would have been a more appropriate design decision, in my opinion.
I sympathize with those watch enthusiasts who like Ball's products but find it difficult to decide which watch to buy. Moreover, Ball's watch prices are reasonable, and it's not uncommon for people to own several watches, changing them from time to time. However, there are watch enthusiasts who seek the 'perfect watch,' and the production concept used in Ball somewhat contradicts this notion.
Ideally, you should buy the latest things the brand is currently making, fully understanding that in a couple of years, something similar but improved will appear, asking for your attention.
What I really like about this Engineer II Skindiver Heritage model is the black color of the case, the elegant and legible dial, as well as the colorful dial lighting scheme. It is also a practical and mostly conservative watch for everyday wear with enough volume to be considered a 'watchmaker's watch.' Ball has released the Reference DM3208B-S4-BK Engineer II Skindiver Heritage in a limited edition of 390 pieces. The retail price is $2,299 USD. More details on the Ball watches website.
Necessary Data
>Brand: Ball
>Model: Engineer II Skindiver Heritage reference DM3208B-S4-BK
>Price: $2,299 USD
>Size: 42 mm wide, 14.6 mm thick, and 53 mm lug-to-lug.
>When the reader would personally wear it: As a comfortable and stylish men's watch for everyday wear, with some enticing features to attract enthusiasts.
>Friend we would recommend it to first: A watch enthusiast with a penchant for tool and military-themed watches, slightly playful and passionate about enthusiast brands.
>Best characteristic of the watch: The Engineer II case looks great in full black color with a matching bracelet. The colorful tritium tube dial is pleasant to look at. Legible dial and wearing comfort.
>Worst characteristic of the watch: Like many other Ball watches, the product lacks a distinctive name or story that would help connect this product with more fans who might like it. Ball's customers find it difficult to choose a watch model, given the often overlapping or confusing specifications, prices, model names, and the availability of new products among similar items.