BALL Watch
BALL Watch is a Swiss watch company headquartered in La Chaux-de-Fonds, with roots in the railroad timekeeping business founded by Webb C. Ball in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1891. It makes Swiss made mechanical watches.
| Founded | 1891, Cleveland, Ohio |
|---|---|
| Founder | Webb C. Ball |
| Headquarters | La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland |
| Heritage | Railroad timekeeping standards |
| Website | ballwatch.ch |
What is BALL Watch?
BALL Watch is a Swiss watch company based in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Its origins go back to 1891, when Webb C. Ball founded the business in Cleveland, Ohio.
History
After a head on train collision in Kipton, Ohio, in April 1891, caused partly by a conductor's watch that had stopped, Ball was appointed Chief Time Inspector and set up accuracy tests for railroad watches. He created the RR Standard certification, which required features such as at least 17 jewels, a double roller and a maximum deviation of 30 seconds per week, and launched the BALL Time Service, under which railroad employees had their watches checked every two weeks. His criteria later inspired the Swiss COSC testing institute.
Products and positioning
Today the company makes Swiss made mechanical watches across collections that reflect its railroad heritage:
- Official Railroad Watch and Trainmaster
- Engineer II, Engineer III, Engineer M and Engineer Master II
- Engineer Hydrocarbon, Fireman and Roadmaster
Why it matters
BALL Watch is one of the few watch brands whose identity is built on a documented contribution to timekeeping standards, linking American railroad history with Swiss watchmaking.
Frequently asked questions
Is BALL Watch Swiss or American?
BALL was founded in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1891 and is today a Swiss watch company headquartered in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
Who founded BALL Watch?
BALL was founded by Webb C. Ball, who created accuracy standards for American railroad watches.