Ball Deep Quest 3000m Watch

[samanator]

Jeff Hess president of Ball Watch US stopped by our forum today and posted these updated photos of the new Deep Quest diver that will be at the AD in a few weeks. This year we are seeing some of the new Ball watch designs from the former Rolex designer which are far more polished and refined. This watch has luminous indexes impregnated into a Titanium bezel insert, COSC movement, 3000m WR with HEV valve and the first with a third generation crown protector (no more lever). There is also a version with huge Arabic numerals, but I prefer this one. The case is 43mm and 16mm thick. It is available on bracelet or fitted rubber strap. This is a T watch (T100 for other brands). Pricing is $4399 for the Arabic dial on bracelet and $4199 for the index dial shown here on bracelet (subtract $100 for the rubber strap version).


DeepQuest due very very soon...

[pechelman]

what the...?

strange bezel markings
numbering 5, 10, and 15 like like that make it much less functional
and then the traditional 0-15 minute markers from 30-45?

[blbarron]

Really like the new designs, will surely be another hit for Ball!

[samanator]

what the...?

strange bezel markings
numbering 5, 10, and 15 like like that make it much less functional
and then the traditional 0-15 minute markers from 30-45?

Yes we commented on this when it was shown that way in the Basel photos.

[Kohe321]

Wow, that looks badass.

[craniotes]

The bezel marking are a bit strange (are they doing this just to be different?), which is a pity, because in every other aspect this piece is a winner. I dunno, but this might be what it takes to get me back in the Ball fold.

We'll see...

Regards,
Adam

[pechelman]

Yes we commented on this when it was shown that way in the Basel photos.

did they have anything to say about it?
seems a lot like a form over function decision.

besides that, the watch looks absolutely fantastic

[marked]

Looks nice actually, but it's kind hard to tell with these images. Need some real life pics and impressions before I would become really tempted.

That and the pricetag seems kinda high to me. Any info on movement? At that price range there are a lot of alternative options. Namely I would move to an Aquatimer before this piece.

Still, it's nice to see a new design come out that isn't outright terrible.

[vjb.knife]

Other than looking a little crowded I don't see a real problem with the bezel and I don't see it as "much less functional". Maybe just less than aesthetically pleasing.

Of course the 3000M rating is way over the top, but pretty typical these days.

I am glad to see that they did not put the typical hinged crown guard thing on this watch; it certainly looks better for that. Overall I like it, which is new for me and Ball watches.

Are they using two screw pins to attach the bracelet?

[pechelman]

Other than looking a little crowded I don't see a real problem with the bezel and I don't see it as "much less functional".

perhaps I overstated that.
While the human eye\brain is excellent at subdividing things, its still one more thing to think about when looking at the bezel and minute hand, so I dont think its out of the realm of being reasonable to say "less functional".

Still, its just a confusing design decision to me the way I use a bezel when diving.
Aesthetically, they could keep the same design elements, and I'd like it much better\have less complaint, if they swapped the numbering from 0-15 to 30-45 and put the traditional markings at 30-45 to 0-15. (hopefully that made sense)
I've also always felt a "05" marking to be a little awkward. A simple "5" helps to more quickly identify bezel position when rotated off nominal.

either way
its a moot point
while I like the watch, and one of the first balls I seem to like, im never going to buy one. Not quite my style \ comfortable price point.