Saved by the Band??
Since I’ve now seen several good stay/go posts over the last few days, I want to put my decision out there.
I got a Ball Trainmaster MSF last summer as a gift. I had some high initial hopes as it was titanium, which I like and had tritium lume, so an interesting addition to the collection for me. Well, no love, though I tried for a few months to get it in the rotation. The problem was mostly the bracelet - it looks OK to photograph, but it’s jangly, has very sharp edges and a poor clasp. So this found its way to the back of the box and was on the ‘how do I regift this?’ list.
Then I gave it a try on a very nice NATO blue/red band. Nice to get it off that bracelet and the look was improved as the face just doesn’t say sports watch to me. Well, it doesn’t say field watch either, does it? Or dive, or anything that should sport a NATO. Back of the box again.
Now, I just got the Vario Empire with three bands. Vario leather bands are good looking and comfortable, so one more try. Maybe now.
What thinks the crowd? Is the leather look doing it for you all? Or time to let this one go.
Thanks!
Always interested in variety, but must be useful
I hate bracelets, particularly on light dial watches... they wash the colour out, and look "meh". I think it looks great on the two straps you posted.
I will admit though, Ball watches do nothing for me. They try to be "dressy" but with tritium tubes, that look toolish. I prefer my tritium in a Marathon, as Marathon is unabashedly a tool watch company.
Good combo with the leather. It’s working for me. Nice match. 👍🏻
I hate bracelets, particularly on light dial watches... they wash the colour out, and look "meh". I think it looks great on the two straps you posted.
I will admit though, Ball watches do nothing for me. They try to be "dressy" but with tritium tubes, that look toolish. I prefer my tritium in a Marathon, as Marathon is unabashedly a tool watch company.
I agree! I much prefer my Marathon, way more useful tritium. It’s my actual midnight go to:
Anyway the Ball was a gift, I wouldn’t have gotten it for the tritium. This watch looks best in the daytime.
I agree! I much prefer my Marathon, way more useful tritium. It’s my actual midnight go to:
Anyway the Ball was a gift, I wouldn’t have gotten it for the tritium. This watch looks best in the daytime.
I have the new steel navigator on the way... I think I have a problem. 😂
Time to GTFO!!!
Time to GTFO!!!
Yes, it is taking up a possible new GS spot!
I want to like Ball. My dream travel watch is titanium, awesome lume and a Day/date gmt… only Ball offers that combo and I still can’t. On a strap or band it doesn’t matter there is just something about their designs that make me hesitate.
The leather strap is a great improvement. Your Ball looks really good on it. As one of the guilty of these stay/go posts I did the same yesterday. I ordered a light brown leather from Colareb.
It's amazing how a strap changes the personality of some watches. You're right in that the leather band looks best.
I like it on the leather.
surprised that the bracelet is bad, I've never handled a Ball but heard they are quality watches.
Anyway, the stepped bezel and hands shape give it a "gentle" look that probably pairs better with leather anyway. I quite like the watch!
Good question, I have a number of titanium watches with bracelets, including ones from Omega, Grand Seiko, Zodiac and Citizen. I’ve read titanium is hard to work. What I’ve experienced is some titanium watches have links with fairly sharp edges where other are smoother and more comfortable. This one has particularly sharp edges. The other brands do better, particularly Omega and GS, but Zodiac and Citizen, while not finished at the same level, make very comfortable bracelets. Once I decided to switch away, I find I agree with you, the watch looks much better with a strap. It’s on an 18mm now, but needs the more rare 19mm strap to fit correctly, that’s on order!
I think it looks great on that leather. It’s a shame it came on that bracelet—I think the traditional Trainmaster bracelet (the one with the parallel polished links toward the inside that some say look like train tracks) is the best bracelet I’ve ever worn.
I think it looks great on that leather. It’s a shame it came on that bracelet—I think the traditional Trainmaster bracelet (the one with the parallel polished links toward the inside that some say look like train tracks) is the best bracelet I’ve ever worn.
Thanks, I agree, I had high hopes for the titanium bracelet, but this one didn’t deliver. That’s OK, actually after much searching, I just took delivery today of a great leather strap from The Strap Tailor that is comfortable and really makes the watch look good. I’ll likely post a note on this tomorrow, but here’s an early picture
As a bracelet guy, I'm sorry to hear that it didn't work out on the bracelet.
As a bracelet guy, I'm sorry to hear that it didn't work out on the bracelet.
No worries, I’ve got plenty of others on comfortable bracelets, but you are right, my original plan was for the bracelet.