Mens Replica Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Hunley Automatic Diver Watch Ref. PM2096B-S1J-BK

Ball Watch Engineer Hydrocarbon Hunley Automatic Diver (Ref. PM2096B-S1J-BK)

Although the new Ball replica Engineer Hydrocarbon Hunley Automatic Diver watch (Ref. PM2096B-S1J-BK) still features that “polarizing” patented crown guard system as previous iterations of the watch, it is still one of the most elegant members of the growing family. As refined as a diving watch can be, it is also not really expensive sporting a price tag around $1000 lower than that of an IWC Aquatimer. While there is still clear family resemblance between the new watch and, say, the last year’s Hydrocarbon Spacemaster Captain Poindexter, the Hunley features a more elaborate design.

 

Compared to their previous models, the Hydrocarbon Hunley definitely looks like an improvement.

Ball Watch Engineer Hydrocarbon Hunley Automatic diving wristwatch (Ref. PM2096B-S1J-BK, side view)

This not only gives the extra-wide hour and minute hands more visual space to breathe, but also allows to place the simple calendar display, as well as a miniature power reserve indicator in the lower part of the dial without interfering with other elements of the timekeeper’s face.

Well, to be frank, I don’t really like the way they placed the power reserve display: meant to visually counter-weigh the date aperture, the indicator actually look a bit off-balance here, almost like it was placed as a kind of an after-thought. I understand that this possibly has something to do with the layout of the ETA 2893-2-based Ball Watch caliber RR1201 automatic movement, as well as that of the complication module that seems to ride atop of it, but was it really THAT expensive to redesign it a little to make the dial look a bit more symmetrical.

All of its elements are now more organically connected to form a very convincing object of art. The dial, which is still equipped with the brand’s signature H3 tritium tubes (whole 30 of them), now looks a lot cleaner and easier to read than ever before. The effect is partly achieved thanks to transferring the minute track from the dial proper to the white inner bezel flange.

 

Ball Watch Engineer Hydrocarbon Hunley Automatic diving wristwatch (Ref. PM2096B-S1J-BK, dial fragment)

 

Well, the power reserve is, perhaps, my only complaint about this otherwise absolutely gorgeous timepiece.

As other members of the family, the Hydrocarbon Hunley features a special body design with their patented Amortiser system that allowed to increase the mechanism’s shock resistance rating to 7500Gs, while its anti-magnetic features are rated at 4800 A/m: pretty much standard for Swiss made “anti-magnetic” mechanical movements.

For a best quality replica Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Hunley watch, which is offered at a street price of $3900 USD (even despite it being limited to 500 pieces), this is probably not such an economically unfeasible thing to do.

Ball Watch Engineer Hydrocarbon Hunley Automatic diving wristwatch (Ref. PM2096B-S1J-BK)

 

See also: Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon DeepQuest 3000M Automatic Diver (Ref. DM3000A-SCJ-BK)

For such a massive-looking timekeeper (measuring just 42 mm in diameter, it is more than 17 mm thick and for a diver of these proportions you at least expect a 1000M-style thick sapphire crystal that could withstand the pressure!), the Ball Watch Engineer Hydrocarbon Hunley features a pretty unimpressive water resistance rating of just 200 meters, but that would probably be enough for most amateur divers out there.

Photos: Ball Watches

WWR preliminary verdict

Originality 5/5
Build quality: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Legibility: 4.5/5
Value for money: 4/5

Ball Watch Engineer Hydrocarbon Hunley Automatic Diver (Ref. PM2096B-S1J-BK) watch specification

Price: $3900 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, Ball Watch caliber RR1201 (base ETA 2893-2), Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 21
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 42 hours
Movement decoration: No data
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, power reserve
Case material: Stainless steel
Bezel material: Matches case
Crown material: Matches case
Case shape: Round
Bezel shape: Round
Case size: 42.00 mm
Case height: 17.30 mm
Lug width: No data
Dial: Black
Numerals: Arabic, luminous (H3 Tritium tubes)
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Luminous
Water resistance: 200 meters
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet with patented folding buckle and diver suit extension system
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Case back: Engraved

Just don’t expect it to be a collectable piece just because its production number is limited. All in all, the replica Ball watch makes a very good impression (to my taste, it would almost perfect if not that uncomfortably protruding crown guard) and I could only recommend one for an enthusiast.