Of all the brands I expected to create an answer to the Tissot PRX, Ball was not high on my list. In fact, they weren’t on the list whatsoever. Ball is a watch brand known for their rugged divers, bold chronographs and their heritage connection to the American railroad – not 70s inspired sports chic. However, surprising us all, here we have it, the Ball Roadmaster M Perseverer.
The comparison to the Tissot PRX is unavoidable. The Ball Roadmaster M Perseverer is the same size at a 40mm diameter and is even a similar thickness at 12mm with a flat tonneau case leading into an integrated bracelet. There’s also a larger edition at 43mm. However, there are some significant differences such as the fact that the Ball is made from 904L stainless steel as opposed to 316L, meaning the Ball is markedly more corrosion resistant. Although in the daily life of an integrated bracelet watch, I’m not sure how much that really matters. Still, it’s a nice indication that Ball are maintaining their high-performance identity even if the aesthetic is quite different.
As for the dial, the horizontal engraved lines are only missing their vertical counterparts to match the waffle dial of the PRX. There are three colours available, black, navy blue and ice blue, all of which suit the design well. I imagine the ice blue will be the most popular, the red tip of the uniquely shaped seconds hand standing out against the backdrop. Speaking of colours, there’s also the vibrant micro gas tubes that take the place of lumed indexes, shining brightly in green and yellow in low light conditions. One consequence of the modern display and dial design is that the cursive typography Ball uses feels out of place, too elegant and classical.
Beneath the dial, the Roadmaster M Perseverer houses the manufacture BALL RR7309-C, an automatic COSC chronometer movement. Importantly it has an accuracy of +2/-4 seconds per day, meaning it adheres to the standards of railway timepiece accuracy, a nod to their heritage. On top of that it’s shock resistant to 5,000Gs and anti-magnetic to 4,800A/m, another example of Ball keeping the adventure-ready specs on hand even for a daily wearer.
In terms of price and availability, both the 40mm and 43mm versions of the Ball Roadmaster M Perseverer are £1,610 at pre-order or £2,150 at full price. Additionally, each size is limited to 1,000 pieces. Going toe-to-toe with the PRX is a very difficult challenge because of the sheer value of that timepiece, but I think the Ball gives it a good go. It’s more exclusive, giving it more appeal to dedicated collectors and it also fits into its own niche thanks to the focus on higher performance materials and that typical Ball ruggedness.
Price and Specs:
More details at Ball Watch.
