New Ceramic Bezel Diver XV from Basel 2011

I've been lucky enough to get the very first Ceramic XV to leave Ball HQ.

The following I found on the net.

To start, on the dial finely honed, details show the complexity of workmanship that has gone into every element of this timepiece. The grooved hour track is complemented by elegantly faceted steel hour markers and a “réhaut” displays the minutes. First worldwide and under BALL patent, the metallic Arabic and hour indexes are completed with the 3H Swiss technology. BALL self powered micro gas tubes give an outstanding legibility, even in the absolute darkness. Each of the 31 gas tubes have been manually set by expert hands.

With his ergonomically redesigned case of 42mm for a slimmer height of 13.25mm, the Engineer Hydrocarbon Ceramic XV now provides improved supreme comfort of wearing. The combination of polished and brushed stainless steel gives to the watch, in all its understated beauty, a very elegant touch.

Also new for BALL Watch, the extremely hard pure ceramic unidirectional bezel which gives to this model exceptional anti-corrosive properties. The black-chrome ceramic remains unaffected by ultraviolet rays and is virtually scratch-proof. The result is a new level of quality appearance and durability for the bezel. Further, and again first worldwide on a ceramic bezel, the graduation from 0 to 14, along with the digits 15, 30 and 45, have all a powerful luminescent paint treatment emitting a blue glow.

The crowning technical touch in this watch is its chronometer-certified ETA 2892 movement, with date calendar, delivering extreme precision. The watch is water-resistant up to 333 meters, shock resistant and even magnetic fields up to 4,800 A/m leave the mechanism unmoved.

As final tribute, the case back features an engraved representation of Jim Whittaker, first American to summit Mount Everest. This model has as well inherited the number “XV”, from the first name the Great Trigonometric Survey of British India gave to the Everest in 1856 , then known as Peak XV.

Now some less than average photos :lol:

Feel free to have your say on the watch.

[j111dja]

Very nice and I love the lume.

[ronnie3585]

That lume is magic.

[steviefleming]

Very , very nice !............Am I allowed to ask how much does one pay to procure one of these ?

Auchtermuchty eh ???......we should plan a Strathmiglo GTG at the Strath !

[burnsey66]

The ceramic is a nice touch and expect all manufacturers will eventually go down this route but the crown set up stops me getting even tempted towards this model.

BUT, what's with the double holes on each lug :shock:

I still think they make the lume so good so you can find it at the bottom of your drawer.

[cmcm3]

I think that's really great looking. Probably the nicest ball I've seen. The crown guards are a bit "less than elegant" but not necessarily in a bad way. What's the bit sticking out of the top one though?

Edit: Oh, crown lock maybe?>

[Andbikes]

That ceramic bezel looks great.

[Pudspud2005]

If it wasn't for those crown guards............

[mab]

I think that's really great looking. Probably the nicest ball I've seen. The crown guards are a bit "less than elegant" but not necessarily in a bad way. What's the bit sticking out of the top one though?

Edit: Oh, crown lock maybe?>

Yep - that little gizmo releases the crown guard which swivels on the lower 'shoulder'.

I think it's a really nice looking watch and something a little different from the norm.

[benny.c]

I quite like it, but shouldn't a diver pay tribute to something or someone related to nautical matters? Or was Jim a diver as well as an explorer?

[fornowagain]

Very , very nice !............Am I allowed to ask how much does one pay to procure one of these ?

Jura have them at £2,460.00

http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/ball-watch ... -bk-bl-358

[dshap]

That must be my favorite Ball yet 8)

[kman]

its a beautiful watch but the crown guards let it down imo.

[K80]

Very nice and has the best clasp ever.

[SIB]

Really like the look of that one

[tabula rasa]

Looks great, IMO, except for the crown guard and lugs.

[jason recliner]

This is a cracker. Ball make some great watches, and this is much nicer than that 3000 m thing.

[demonloop]

I'd buy one in an instant. If they changed the crown guards.

[awo]

BUT, what's with the double holes on each lug :shock:

+1! :)

And re crownguard -- would like to see it "open" or however it works!

Anyway, I more and more get interested in your BALLs! Like it! :)

Cheers,

Andreas

[Surface]

Very , very nice !............Am I allowed to ask how much does one pay to procure one of these ?

Auchtermuchty eh ???......we should plan a Strathmiglo GTG at the Strath !

I'm up for that, I'm from just down the road in Markinch!

[Daddelvirks]

Now cap, I must say I like that.
Just oozes quality, and Ball prices are still reasonable.

Daddel.

[Pablo]

Always liked the Ball hydrocarbon series, and that one is probably the best model yet.

regards,
Nick

[Top]

First we had balls of steel, now ceramic balls.

[Omegamanic]

Bezel looks fantastic and the watch looks nice - but as said above that crown thing going on ruins the whole thing for me.

You must have shares in these things by now!

[bertbraeckman]

not a large fan of the crownguards ...
love the lume though !!

[sts1976]

Love the look of ball watches... Especially like he rugged look of the fireman night train. This watch though looks great. Good purchase....

[Blueboy1]

Is there a connection between diving to 333 metres and climbing Mt Everest? I must be missing this...

[SSK007]

Very very nice :D

[sagachoo]

The lume on the bezel is amazing. Congratulation.

[sagachoo]

Is the lume on the bezel tritium too?

Is the lume on the bezel tritium too?

No, it a new process so Ball claim whereby the SL is put in to the ceramic bezel.

[Tommaat]

Crown guards :(

[wildheart]

Looks good :) As others have said, could I live with those crown guards :?: Thanks for the heads up!

[sts1976]

Every time i look at the XV i get an urge!

[Len]

Different look.. but overall it looks good. Congrats :)