It’s time to meet the Ball Company Engineer III Endurance 1917 watch, a brand new instrument being released in November this year. The striking collection is being released to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Ernest Shackleton’s Trans-Antarctic Expedition and his return to the UK in 1917 after three years in the Antarctic. There are two variations of the watch available, the Classic version with a day date function and the TNT model which has been equipped with a thermometer on the dial.
The Ball Company Engineer III Endurance 1917 watch has been named after the mission and the ship which carried Shackleton’s team across the globe, Endurance. The stunning 316L stainless steel case of the timepiece has also been beautifully decorated with an engraving on the case back of Shackleton’s ship breaking through the ice of the Antarctic. The watch is made even more unique with only a limited number of 1,000 pieces being produced.
The Classic day date version of the Ball Company Engineer III Endurance 1917 watch is available in two sizes, 40mm and 46mm while the TNT version is only available in 42mm. Nevertheless, the TNT model has the option to include a black titanium carbide coating, increasing its scratch resistance and giving it a darker, bolder appearance. All variations are equipped with a screw down crown, sapphire crystal glass, a water resistance of 100 metres and an anti-magnetism of up to 80,000 A/m.
The bold and beautiful dial is available in black, grey or blue and is equipped with Ball’s favourite Tritium gas tubes. The gas is sealed in mineral glass tubes and set on each of the indices and hands giving an impressive glow that lasts up to 25 years and requires no recharge. The Classic model is armed with simple hour, minute and seconds function and a day and date window at 3 o clock. This model will prove exceedingly popular with those who like the more traditional, simple aesthetic while the bolder and busier look of the TNT version will attract the more daring wearer. The TNT model completely ignores the standard design and goes for a unique date bubble at 1 o clock and a large temperature gauge sub-dial at 6 o clock. Ball are no strangers to using thermometers in their watches, with the TNT available in either Fahrenheit or Centigrade.
Now onto the movement that powers each variation. The Classic version of the Ball Company Engineer III Endurance 1917 watch is powered by the BALL RR1102 based on the ETA 2836 while the TNT embraces the BALL RR1601-C based on the ETA 2892. Both complications are chronometer standard and COSC precision certified, but what is particularly unique about these movements is the type of oil used for lubrication. The different oil guarantees effective functioning against temperatures as low as -40°C and as high as +60°C. The movement has also been paired with the brand’s own patented Amortiser system which significantly increases the timepiece’s resistance to harsh shocks.
It’s safe to say that the new Ball Company Engineer III Endurance 1917 watches have managed to squeeze plenty of tricks into a 40, 42 and 46mm design. With some impressive technologies paired with a bold aesthetic, it is impossible not to want one of the 1,000 pieces being released in November this year. Don’t forget you can pre-order your own Ball Company Engineer III Endurance 1917 watch here to ensure you get your hands on the very first released.
Specifications: Ball Company Engineer III Endurance 1917 Watch (NM2182C and NT2222C)
- Case Size: 40mm and 46mm (Classic), 42mm (TNT)
- Case Material: 316L Stainless Steel (Black titanium carbide coated option on TNT model)
- Case Back: Special engraving
- Glass: Sapphire crystal
- Crown: Screw down
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Dial: Available in black, grey or blue
- Functions: Hour, minute and seconds. Day and date at 3 o clock (Classic). Date at 1 o clock and temperature gauge at 6 o clock (TNT)
- Movement: BALL RR1102 (Classic), BALL RR2601-C (TNT)
- Strap: Stainless steel or Rubber
- Limited Edition: 1,000 pieces
- RRP: Starting from £1,990
- Release Date: November 2017
