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The Ball Watch Company was founded by Webb C. Ball, who established the specifications for railroad grade movements. The Ball Watch Company purchased movements from top pocket watch brands and further worked on the watches to perfect them.
At first glance, the dial immediately draws you in. A finely executed sunburst guilloché pattern radiates from the center, catching the light as the watch moves, while bold Arabic numerals and a clearly defined minute track with bold five-minute markers frame the composition. Metal dials rarely survive with this level of preservation, and this example shows only light, honest patina, retaining exceptional clarity and depth for a piece completed in 1926. This Ball timepiece was produced through the collaboration between the Ball Watch Company and the Illinois Watch Company and is powered by the Commercial Standard movement, an Illinois design refined to meet Ball standards. With a total production of just 8,000 examples, surviving pieces have become increasingly scarce. The movement has been fully restored with careful attention to original finishing. Screws and hardware were thermally blued by hand over an open flame (read more here), while the jewel settings, gear train, balance, and balance weights were individually polished to restore their original golden luster. The original heat-blued hands remain untouched and provide crisp contrast against the dial. To preserve the history of the piece, the original ‘Ball Model’ pocket watch case is included with the watch. Many Ball watches were recased or separated from their original cases over time, making complete pairings increasingly uncommon. Including the original Ball-signed case keeps the full history of the watch together and adds meaningful context for collectors.
The timepiece is housed in our 316L stainless steel conversion case, designed with adjustable lugs that not only make winding and setting easier but also ensure a tailored fit across a wide range of wrist sizes. Built with front, back, and crown gaskets, the case offers water resistance up to 50 meters, though we recommend removing the watch before swimming or water activities. Fully serviced and meticulously prepared, this piece is ready to accompany you on your next adventure.
Watch Performance
Accuracy: +/- 10 seconds per day
Amplitude: 300 degrees
Beat Error: 1.5 ms
Power Reserve: 24-30 hours
Complication: Sub second hand
Watch Specifications
Manufacture: Ball Watch Company
Partnership: Illinois Watch Company
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Year Manufactured: 1926
Dial Material: Metal (guilloche)
Jewels: 19 jewels
Case Diameter: 44 mm
Front Crystal: Domed AR coated sapphire
Back Crystal: Flat AR coated sapphire
Case Material: 316L stainless
Lug width: 22 mm
Lug to Lug: 47 mm (52 mm with crown)
Height: 13 mm
Original Case Included: Yes, ‘Ball Model’
Serial Number: B402685
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.