Introducing Ball Unveils the Engineer II Galloping Horse

In Chinese tradition, each year is represented by one of twelve Zodiac animals. Paired with the Five Elements, they form a 60-year cycle. 2026 marks the Year of the Horse with the Fire element, symbolizing vitality and independence.

For the 2026 Fire Horse, Ball Watch Company takes a bold approach with the Engineer II Galloping Horse. Instead of a delicate, dressy zodiac watch, the brand integrates the motif into a robust, shock-resistant platform for daily wear, using exotic materials and proprietary luminescence technology.

The watch reflects Ball’s signature blend of industrial durability and decorative artistry. Its dial, crafted from Tiger’s Eye, a metamorphic stone, grounds the design while nodding to elemental philosophy, fire generates earth. Each dial’s natural striations ensure a unique visual fingerprint, while the watch retains the Engineer II’s shock and magnetic protection.

The 40mm case is built from 904L stainless steel, a high-alloy upgrade from standard 316L, offering superior corrosion resistance and a brighter, more reflective polish. Measuring 11.5mm thick, it provides 100 meters of water resistance. With the bracelet, the watch weighs approximately 180 grams. A stainless steel caseback features a detailed steam locomotive, honoring Ball’s heritage as the official timekeeper for American railroads.

The Tiger’s Eye dial showcases chatoyancy, or "cat’s eye" effect, with golden-brown striations enhancing the metallic hands and indices. A silver-tone relief of a galloping horse dominates the lower half, capturing mid-stride motion and adding depth to the dial.

The seconds hand features a counterweight shaped as the Chinese character for “horse,” offering a subtle Zodiac reference. Baton-style hands and indices accommodate Ball’s gas tubes while preserving the stone’s visual impact.

Illumination comes from Ball’s micro gas tube technology, which glows continuously without charging. Green tubes mark the hours, with yellow accents at 12 o’clock for orientation. The 15-tube system ensures legibility in complete darkness, while the minute track uses Super-LumiNova for peripheral visibility.

The watch is powered by the BALL RR1103 automatic movement, operating at 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) and offering hours, minutes, and sweep seconds. Its patented Amortiser® anti-shock system protects the rotor and balance wheel from impacts up to 5,000Gs. The movement is also anti-magnetic to 4,800 A/m, maintaining chronometer-level precision in everyday wear.

The bracelet, made from matching 904L steel, pairs polished center links with brushed outer links and closes with a folding buckle. The Ball Engineer II Galloping Horse is priced at 2,199 USD which is equivalent to 8,000 AED.

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