Ball Watch Engineer Master II Volcano. The Engineer Master II Volcano features a case made of mu metal and carbon. This case has the anti-magnetic resistance of up to 80,000 A/m. Recommended retail price: SGD3,980. With the Engineer Master II Volcano, Ball Watch has laid its claim to having the first watch case made of mu metal and carbide composite. Photo: © TANG Portfolio.
In addition to the Earth’s magnetic field, we face magnetic forces all around us daily. These magnetic forces can be from electrical appliances such as cellular phones, television sets, radios, microwave ovens, personal computers and iPads, what may be termed “electrosmog”.
As the accuracy of a mechanical watch can be easily affected by magnetic fields that we are exposed to, the good folks at Ball Watch continually pay attention to anti-magnetic protection in watches.
What resulted was the Ball Watch Engineer II Magneto S that was introduced in 2014. The Ball Watch Engineer II Magneto S features an anti-magnetic diaphragm made of mu metal positioned at the rear of the watchcase and it can be opened or closed. In the closed position, it covers and protects the watch movement and the anti-magnetic resistance is 80,000 A/m.
The Ball Watch Engineer Magneto S. Introduced in 2014, it features an anti-magnetic diaphragm made of mu metal located at the rear of the watchcase which can be opened or closed. In the closed position covering the watch movement, the anti-magnetic resistance of the Engineer Magneto S is 80,000 A/m. Photo: © Ball Watch.
Mu metal is an alloy of nickel, iron, copper and molybdenum that has very high magnetic permeability, allowing it to attract and deflect static or low-frequency magnetic fields lines.
This means that it is a better material alternative to use as compared to soft iron inner shell typically used in watchmaking.
A cube of mu metal combined with carbon (on the left) beside a cube of steel (right). Photo: © TANG Portfolio.
Ball Watch has now taken this a step further by combining mu metal with carbon to produce a watchcase. The result can be seen with superimposed layers of carbon and mu metal, a patented composite material, and Ball Watch has claimed this as a first in watchmaking.
The watchcase was cast in Switzerland and the layers of carbon and mu metal on the case band have an appearance reminiscent of lava from a volcano that has cooled to form volcanic rock. This explains how this Ball Watch Engineer Master II was christened “Volcano”.
The case of the Engineer Master II Volcano is made of mu metal combined with carbon. On the case band, you will be able to see layers of carbon and mu metal which appear to be cooled lava that has formed into volcanic rock. This explains why the Ball Watch Engineer Master II is named “Volcano”. Photos: © TANG Portfolio.
Carbon has several advantageous. These include its resistance to scratches and impacts in addition to its lightweight properties. The weight of carbon is 20% that of steel used in watchcases.
The Ball Watch Engineer Master II Volcano has the anti-magnetic resistance of up to 80,000 A/m. From what we understand, this anti-magnetic resistance has been certified by an independent Swiss testing institute.
Ball Watch Engineer II Volcano
Introduced in 2016
Technical Specifications:
• Calibre Ball RR1102-C automatic movement
• Chronometer-certified
• 15 micro-gas tubes on the hour and minute hands, and dial for enhanced night reading capability
• Patented anti-magnetic protection
• Anti-magnetic resistance of up to 80,000 A/m
• Shock-resistant to 5,000 g-forces
• Day and date display
• Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
• Screwed-in crown
• Grey dial
• 45mm diameter case in patented Mumetal and carbide composite, 12.4mm thick
• Water-resistant to 100m / 330ft
• Available with either a canvas strap with standard buckle or rubber strap with standard buckle
Priced at SGD3,980 inclusive of tax
Another related article on the Ball Watch Engineer II Volcano is:
i. A Case Against Magnetism Part I