The Hourstriker Verdict
For the Year of the Fire Horse, Ball celebrates with releasing an Engineer II model complete with a tiger's eye stone dial and a sculpted metallic stallion at six o'clock. The combination of the golden-grown stone and polished horse really grab your attention. Like all Ball watches, this model features micro-gas tubes for lume and rugged case construction. While this model might not be for me personally, I love what the brand has done here to honor the Year of the Fire Horse.
— Peter, Editor-in-Chief
The approaching lunar year of 2026 introduces the cycle of the Fire Horse, a period in the sexagenary cycle traditionally associated with high energy, volatility, and significant transformation. Within the horological sector, the annual release of zodiac-themed timepieces has become a fixture, typically dominated by haute horlogerie manufactures utilizing grand feu enamel or complex engraving to depict the animal of the year. However, Ball Watch Company has opted for a divergent approach with the release of the Engineer II Galloping Horse, reference NM9016C-S11-YTE. Rather than producing a delicate dress watch intended for a safe deposit box, the brand has integrated this cultural motif into a robust, shock-resistant platform built for daily wear, utilizing exotic materials and proprietary luminescence technology to mark the occasion.
The release signals a continuation of Ball’s strategy to merge industrial durability with decorative arts, a juxtaposition that is particularly evident in the choice of dial material for this reference. While the Year of the Horse is theoretically linked to the fire element in 2026, the brand has selected Tiger’s Eye, a metamorphic rock, to ground the design. This decision is not merely aesthetic but rooted in the elemental interaction where fire generates earth, providing a thematic bridge between the astrological concept and the physical product. The result is a timepiece that maintains the rigorous utility of the Engineer II line—boasting significant shock and magnetic protection—while introducing the unpredictable visual texture of natural stone, ensuring that each unit produced possesses a unique geological fingerprint.
Courtesy of Ball
The Case and Dial
The visual centerpiece of this reference is undoubtedly the Tiger’s Eye dial, a material chosen for its distinctive chatoyancy. This optical phenomenon, also known as the "cat's eye" effect, occurs due to the fibrous structure of the material, specifically the parallel intergrowth of quartz and altered amphibole fibers that have mostly turned into limonite. When light strikes the dial, it reflects off these inclusions, creating a silky, shifting band of light that moves across the surface as the wrist rotates. Achieving this effect in a watch dial requires precise lapidary work; the stone must be sliced into a wafer-thin disc without fracturing the brittle mineral structure, then polished to a high gloss to maximize the reflection of the fibrous inclusions. The golden-brown striations of the Tiger’s Eye provide a high-contrast backdrop for the metallic hardware, effectively simulating the earth tones associated with the grounded nature of the stone in Chinese philosophy.
Dominating the lower half of the dial is a relief applique of a galloping horse, rendered in silver-tone metal. The sculpture captures the animal in mid-stride, showcasing detailed musculature and a sense of kinetic energy that aligns with the "galloping" nomenclature. This is not a flat printing or a simple silhouette; it is a three-dimensional element that adds significant depth to the dial architecture. Further integrating the theme, the seconds hand features a counterweight formed into the Chinese character for "horse." This calligraphic detail offers a secondary, more subtle nod to the zodiac inspiration, balancing the literal depiction of the stallion with a linguistic representation. The hands and indices themselves are utilitarian batons, designed to hold Ball’s signature gas tubes without obstructing the view of the stone surface beneath.
Surrounding this decorative dial is a 40mm case constructed from 904L stainless steel, a significant metallurgical upgrade from the standard 316L steel commonly found in this price segment. 904L is a low-carbon, high-alloy austenitic stainless steel with higher concentrations of nickel, chromium, and molybdenum, as well as the addition of copper. This chemical composition provides superior resistance to corrosion, particularly against reducing acids and chlorides, such as warm seawater. Furthermore, the harder surface of 904L steel allows for a higher quality of polish, resulting in a luster that is visibly brighter and more reflective than standard steel. The case measures 11.5mm in thickness, a relatively slender profile for a watch offering 100 meters of water resistance and a screwed-in crown, allowing it to slide easily under a cuff despite its rugged specifications.
Illumination is provided by Ball’s proprietary micro gas tube technology (H), a self-powered light source that requires no external charging. Unlike Super-LumiNova, which relies on phosphorescence and fades over several hours, these tubes are borosilicate glass vessels coated internally with phosphor and filled with tritium gas. The beta decay of the tritium excites the phosphor, causing it to emit a continuous glow. For the Engineer II Galloping Horse, Ball has employed a bi-color scheme to aid in orientation during low-light conditions. The hour markers and hands primarily utilize green tubes, while the twelve o’clock marker and hands feature yellow accents. This 15-tube configuration ensures that the time remains legible in total darkness without the degradation of intensity associated with traditional photoluminescent paints, although the minute track does utilize Super-LumiNova for peripheral visibility.
Courtesy of Ball
The Movement
Powering the Engineer II Galloping Horse is the BALL RR1103 automatic caliber. While Ball does not explicitly disclose the base architecture for every iteration, this nomenclature typically corresponds to a modified ETA 2824-2 or Sellita SW200-1, both of which are reliable, high-beat Swiss movements operating at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour). The movement provides the standard timekeeping functions of hours, minutes, and sweep seconds. The choice of a proven third-party base caliber ensures ease of serviceability and long-term reliability, a critical factor for a watch designed to be a "daily driver" rather than a delicate collector's piece. The movement is hidden behind a solid caseback, which features a detailed embossing of a steam locomotive, a tribute to Ball’s heritage as the premier timekeeper for the American railroad industry following the Kipton disaster of 1891.
Where the RR1103 diverges from a standard ebauche is in the protective environment Ball has constructed around it. The watch features the brand’s patented Amortiser® anti-shock system. This mechanism is designed to protect the rotor and the balance wheel—the most vulnerable components of a mechanical movement—from the violent deceleration forces caused by impacts. The watch is rated to withstand shocks of up to 5,000Gs, a specification that ensures the movement will maintain accuracy even after being subjected to significant physical trauma, such as a drop onto a hard surface or the vibrations associated with sporting activities. This level of impact resistance is substantial for a mechanical watch, bridging the gap between a standard dress watch and a dedicated tool watch.
In addition to shock resistance, the movement is shielded against magnetic fields up to 4,800 A/m (Amperes per meter). Magnetic interference is a common cause of inaccuracy in mechanical watches, as magnetized hairsprings can shorten the effective length of the spring, causing the watch to run aggressively fast. While 4,800 A/m is not at the level of a dedicated soft-iron Faraday cage found in specialized scientific watches, it is sufficient to protect the movement from the everyday magnetic fields encountered in modern life, such as those generated by consumer electronics, speaker magnets, and magnetic clasps on bags. This protection ensures that the isochronism of the balance wheel remains undisturbed during regular daily wear, maintaining the precision required of a chronometer-grade instrument.
Courtesy of Ball
The Strap
The timepiece is secured to the wrist by a bracelet crafted from the same 904L stainless steel as the case, ensuring a uniform visual and metallurgical continuity. The bracelet utilizes a multi-link design with contrasting finishes; the center links are likely polished to match the case highlights, while the outer links may feature brushing to hide scratches, though the specific finish interplay depends on the final production run. The use of 904L steel in the bracelet is particularly advantageous, as the bracelet is the component most in contact with the skin and environmental elements. The high nickel and copper content of the alloy prevents the pitting and crevice corrosion that can occur between links in lower-grade steels after years of exposure to sweat and moisture.
The integration of the bracelet into the 20mm lugs is seamless, with solid end-links that reduce play and potential rattling. The closure system is a folding buckle, designed for security and ease of operation. While the manufacturer specifications do not explicitly mention a micro-adjustment mechanism, the bracelet’s construction emphasizes durability and mass. With the bracelet sized, the total weight of the watch is approximately 180 grams. This is a substantial weight for a 40mm timepiece, lending it a feeling of density and quality on the wrist that many enthusiasts associate with luxury manufacturing. The heft serves as a tactile reminder of the robust materials employed, distinguishing it from lightweight titanium or aluminum alternatives.
Courtesy of Ball
Pricing and Availability
The Ball Engineer II Galloping Horse is positioned at a retail price of US$2,199, a competitive entry point given the specification sheet. This pricing places it aggressively against other Swiss competitors offering standard steel cases and generic movements. The value proposition is driven largely by the material upgrades—specifically the 904L steel and the genuine Tiger’s Eye dial—which are typically reserved for watches at significantly higher price tiers. The inclusion of tritium gas tubes and proprietary shock protection systems further differentiates the product from standard "Zodiac" releases, which often rely solely on dial decoration to justify their cost.
Availability for the timepiece is scheduled for April 2026, aligning with the mid-year cycle of the Year of the Horse. The watch represents a unique intersection of gemology, horological durability, and cultural celebration, targeting a demographic that appreciates the technical merit of a tool watch but desires the aesthetic flair of a stone dial. For collectors of zodiac timepieces, it offers a distinctively masculine and industrial alternative to the traditional artistic interpretations of the genre.
Courtesy of Ball
Technical Specifications
Case: 904L Stainless Steel; 40mm diameter; 11.5mm height; Solid caseback with train embossing
Movement: Automatic caliber BALL RR1103; Amortiser® patented anti-shock system; 5,000Gs shock resistance; 4,800A/m anti-magnetic protection
Dial: Genuine Tiger’s Eye stone; Applied silver stallion; 15 micro gas tubes (Green/Yellow) on hands and markers; Super-LumiNova on minute track
Strap: 904L Stainless Steel bracelet with folding buckle; 20mm lug width
Price: US$2,199
Reference Number: NM9016C-S11-YTE
Notes: Water resistant to 100m/330ft; Anti-reflective sapphire crystal; Screwed-in crown; Approx. 180g weight