Fireman NECC Blue Ref. DM3090A-P11J-BE

In 1891, about 40 miles west of Cleveland, a fast mail train collided head-on with a passenger train. This accident later became known as the Great Kipton Train Wreck. The cause of the accident? The passenger train's conductor's watch had stopped functioning for a mere 4 minutes before restarting.

Ball Fireman NECC Blue Ref. DM3090A-P11J-BE

After that collision, renowned jeweller Webb C. Ball was appointed Chief Time Inspector to investigate the accident's timekeeping issues. Ball then formulated a new timekeeping system for the railroad industry, revolutionising timekeeping (in the industry) and thus making train travel significantly safer for both passengers and employees. The watches that employees used were certified and issued by Ball, which led to the birth of the legendary company known today as Ball Watch Co.

The Fireman NECC represents the tactical evolution of this legacy through an official partnership with the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command. As an operational command focused on the management, training, and equipping of elite forces, the NECC operates in high stakes coalition missions across the most unforgiving environments on earth. For these specialized units, a watch is a mission critical component of their kit that must survive the extreme rigors of expeditionary warfare. Ball Watch Co. engineered this timepiece to meet those exact requirements, bridging the gap between historical railroad tradition and modern military necessity.

BALL RR1103 caliber

True to the overbuilt philosophy of the Fireman series, the NECC edition features a technical architecture designed to withstand the impossible. The movement is protected by an anti-shock capacity of 5,000Gs and antimagnetic shielding up to 4,800 A/m to ensure it remains regulated in high impact or electronically dense combat zones. Furthermore, Ball's light capacity is indisputable through the use of self powered tritium gas micro tubes that provide constant illumination for up to 25 years. Today, Ball reintroduces the Fireman NECC as a definitive tool watch for those who require absolute performance in the field.

Measuring 42mm in diameter with a 50mm lug to lug span and a 13.5mm profile, this 316L stainless steel chassis is engineered for maximum structural integrity. The exterior is treated with a specialized black titanium carbide coating that serves a dual purpose: achieving a sleek, tactical aesthetic while providing a high-hardness barrier against abrasive wear. Internally, the architecture is fortified to withstand kinetic trauma, boasting a 5,000Gs anti shock rating that ensures the movement remains regulated and operational despite the violent G-forces encountered in expeditionary combat zones.

Stainless steel with titanium carbide (TiC) coating

Protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, the sunburst blue dial serves as a high-contrast canvas for the precision-applied steel markers. A subtle but distinct nod to the brand's railroad heritage is found in the seconds hand, which features the signature Ball logo as a counterweight. The dial architecture is enhanced by the chapter ring that adds a tiered sense of depth to the visual profile, while a magnified window at 3 o'clock ensures immediate date legibility. For low-light visibility, the watch utilizes Ball's proprietary micro gas tubes, with green tritium emitters on the hands and the 1-11 indices. To ensure rapid orientation in total darkness, the 12 o'clock marker glows in a contrasting orange, providing a constant, self-powered luminescence that requires no external light charge.

Beating at the heart of the timepiece is the BALL RR1103 caliber, a high-frequency automatic movement based on the industry-proven ETA 2824-2 or Sellita SW200-1 architecture. Operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour with a 38-hour power reserve, this 25 or 26-jewel workhorse is celebrated by horologists for its long-term reliability and ease of service. Despite the inclusion of an exhibition caseback that puts the movement on full display, the engineering remains uncompromisingly robust. When paired with the precision-threaded screw-down crown, the watch achieves a professional-grade water resistance of 300 meters, ensuring the internal caliber remains protected even during deep-water excursions.

14 micro gas tubes on hour, minute, second hands and dial for night reading capability

Securing the timepiece to the wrist is a 20mm high-durability black rubber strap, finished with a classic pin buckle for a reliable and adjustable fit.

Ultimately, the Ball Fireman NECC stands as a testament to over a century of horological resilience. It successfully bridges the gap between the strict chronometric standards of the 19th-century railroad and the uncompromising demands of modern expeditionary warfare. This is a precision-engineered instrument built to endure the most hostile environments on earth while upholding the unwavering spirit of Webb C. Ball's original vision.

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