Introducing Ball’s Latest Engineer III Honoring The legendary Jim Thorpe

Ball Watch Company unveils the Engineer III Bright Path, a special timepiece paying homage to the legendary American athlete Jim Thorpe. The namesake of the watch, "Bright Path," is derived from Jim Thorpe's Native American name, Wa-tho-huk. Thorpe's story is one of incredible resilience and athletic prowess. An American athlete born in 1887, he became the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal for the USA.

Ball Watch Company was originally founded in the United States in 1891 by Webb C. Ball, a watchmaker who set up strict timekeeping standards for the American railroad system. That is why the letters "RR" appear on the dial of the company’s watches. His work helped improve precision and reliability in railroad watches, making Ball a significant name in American horology.

However, as the American watch industry declined in the 20th century, Ball Watch Company transitioned to Swiss manufacturing while maintaining its historical American identity. Today, Ball watches are Swiss-made while still embodying the rugged, functional spirit of their American railroad heritage. The brand is currently headquartered in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and is known for its advanced technology, such as micro gas tube illumination, anti-magnetic protection, and shock resistance, all of which are patented features in this new timepiece.

The Engineer III Bright Path is encased in 904L stainless steel. The 36mm version has a height of 11.5mm, the 40mm version a height of 12.5mm, and the 43mm version a height of 12.75mm. The watch features an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, offering excellent scratch resistance and clarity. A screwed-in crown contributes to the watch's 100-meter water resistance and overall durability.

Inside the case, protecting the movement of the Bright Path is Ball's patented mu-metal ring, which offers anti-magnetic protection up to 1,000 Gauss. This shield has a high magnetic permeability, diverting magnetic fields away from the delicate components of the Swiss-made movement. This feature is complemented by Ball's patented Amortiser® anti-shock system, which absorbs energy from external impacts, further safeguarding the movement. The watch is also shock-resistant to 5,000Gs.

We have seen Ball Company use gemstone dials in their stunning piece for the Year of the Snake. Now, once again, they introduce another remarkable dial in this robust watch. The distinctive Tigerite dial sets this timepiece apart. Tigerite, a golden-brown gemstone, is known for its chatoyancy, a reflective property that gives it a shimmering effect. This means the appearance of the dial shifts subtly depending on the angle of light. Due to the natural variations in the gemstone, no two Tigerite dials are exactly alike, making each Bright Path watch a unique piece..

In daylight, the dial's warm tones are complemented by the applied hour markers, designed as micro gas tubes. These tubes are a signature of Ball watches and provide exceptional luminosity in low-light conditions. Filled with tritium gas, they emit a constant glow without needing to be charged by an external light source, adding a practical dimension to their aesthetic appeal. The micro gas tubes are also present on the hour and minute hands, ensuring consistent brightness.

The movement used in the editions varies slightly depending on the case size. The 36mm version houses the automatic BALL RR1101-C caliber, based on the ETA 2892-A2, with a 42-hour power reserve, while the 40mm and 43mm versions house the BALL RR1103-C, based on the ETA 2824-2/Sellita SW200, with a 38-hour power reserve. Both movements are chronometer-certified by COSC.

Each edition is limited to 1,000 pieces. The 36mm version is priced at 1,590 CHF, which is equivalent to 6,515 AED, while the 40mm and 43mm versions are priced at 1,780 CHF, which is equivalent to 7,300 AED.

For more information, you can visit Ball’s official website.