Ball Introduces New Watches in their Engineer II Line Paying Tribute to the U.S. Marine Corps

Ball is a brand that is steeped in Americana in a way that other brands can’t really replicate. Not only does Ball have a lengthy heritage to fall back on, but their history is tied to the American railroad, which itself is related to so many other facets of the way American life developed through the latter half of the 19th century and early part of the 20th. Now, with the latest version of the Engineer II, Ball has combined America’s railroading history with military history, in a series of watches designed to honor the Marines on the 245th anniversary of the Marine Corps. Available in a variety of sizes and finishes, the limited edition Engineer II U.S. Marine Corps series offers something for collectors of any taste. Let’s take a look.

Ball Engineer II U.S. Marine Corps Three-hand

• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Dial: Black
• Dimensions: 40mm & 43mm 
• Crystal: Sapphire       
• Water Resistance: 100 meters 
• Crown: Screw down                     
• Movement: Automatic BALL caliber RR1103
• Strap/bracelet: Stainless steel bracelet
• Price: $1,499
• Reference Number: n/a
• Expected Release: July

Ball Engineer II U.S. Marine Corps GMT 

• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Dial: Black
• Dimensions: 40mm & 44mm 
• Crystal: Sapphire       
• Water Resistance: 100 meters 
• Crown: Screw down                     
• Movement: Automatic BALL caliber RR1302
• Strap/bracelet: Stainless steel bracelet
• Price: $1,549
• Reference Number: n/a
• Expected Release: July

The Engineer II is all about legibility and reliability – the most critical features for anyone tasked with ensuring that trains run on time. These qualities don’t hurt when it comes to a military application, either, and I think that serves as a logical starting place to build the connection between the Engineer II and the Marine Corps. Each watch in this new collection features the U.S. Marine Corps emblem on the dial, and is designed to serve as a no-compromises tool watch that can withstand anything you might throw at it. 

The collection consists of two watches, each coming in two different sizes. First, we have simple time and date design coming in 40mm and 43mm versions. This 40mm watch is in stainless steel, and the 43mm version is available with a black TiC coating for a stealthy and modern look. The other watch in the collection is a GMT, and can be had in a 40mm or 44mm case. The GMT features a power reserve at 6:00, along with a 24 hour scale at 12:00 for displaying another time zone. The GMT also features a multicolor rendition of the Marine Corps logo, whereas on the standard three hand watch it’s a little smaller and more discreet. 

Of course, these watches wouldn’t be Balls if they didn’t include plenty of tritium gas tubes for illumination in the dark. Each of these watches in the Engineer II collection feature large gas tubes marking the hours, and smaller tubes on the oversized sword hands. If you’ve never seen the glow of these gas tubes in person, it’s quite a sight, and very different from the modern non-radioactive luminescent paint that’s now ubiquitous. 

The new Engineer II watches will begin shipping in July, and start at $1,499. Ball