Webster Clay Ball did not set out to create a global watchmaking dynasty when he opened a small jewelry store in Cleveland, Ohio, in the late 19th century. His destiny was forged by catastrophe rather than ambition alone, specifically the tragic head-on collision of two trains in Kipton, Ohio, in 1891. That disaster, caused by a conductor’s watch that had stopped for mere minutes, underscored the lethal consequences of inaccuracy in the industrial age. It was this event that led to Ball’s appointment as Chief Time Inspector for the railroads, where he established strict criteria for precision and reliability that would eventually inform the Swiss COSC standards used today. This obsession with accuracy under adverse conditions became the foundational ethos of the company, a legacy that is meticulously preserved and modernized in their latest release. The new Roadmaster Perseverer is not merely a nod to this past but a continuation of the brand’s commitment to industrial-grade timekeeping tools designed for rigour and utility.
The Roadmaster collection has long served as a platform for the brand to explore robust, travel-ready complications and durable materials, yet the Perseverer introduces a specific thematic focus on resilience. Drawing inspiration from one of the most tenacious figures in American industrial history, Henry Ford, the watch seeks to embody the spirit of persistence. Ford, who famously relied on a Ball pocket watch for his own scheduling and factory coordination, faced bankruptcy and relentless criticism before successfully revolutionizing the automotive world. The Perseverer is designed as a tribute to that kind of dogged determination, utilizing materials and engineering solutions that are intended to withstand significant stress while maintaining chronometric performance. It is a tool watch in the truest sense, prioritizing function and legibility while adopting a form factor that is versatile enough for the boardroom or the field.
Courtesy of Ball
Visually, the watch immediately establishes a strong presence through its use of 904L stainless steel, a material choice that separates it from the vast majority of competitors in its price bracket. Most steel watches are crafted from 316L alloy, which is durable and sufficient for most applications, but 904L creates a distinct category of resilience. This superalloy contains higher concentrations of chromium, molybdenum, nickel, and copper, granting it exceptional resistance to corrosion, rust, and acids. This is particularly relevant for a watch intended to be a "daily beater," as it is far less susceptible to the pitting and chemical wear that can accumulate over years of exposure to sweat and environmental moisture. Beyond its chemical properties, 904L steel is renowned for its ability to take a high polish, resulting in a luster that is visibly brighter and more intense than standard steel, lending the Perseverer a sense of luxury that belies its utilitarian purpose.
The case architecture itself reflects a clear influence from the sports watch designs of the 1970s, characterized by sharp angles and an integrated bracelet aesthetic. The 40mm diameter is a universally wearable size, striking a balance between modern wrist presence and vintage restraint. The case height of 12mm ensures that it remains relatively slender, allowing it to slide under a shirt cuff without obstruction. The finishing on the case is a careful study in contrast, utilizing vertical brushing on the top surfaces to diffuse light and hide scratches, while the chamfered edges are mirror-polished to define the silhouette. This interplay of matte and gloss finishes accentuates the geometric complexity of the case, highlighting the angular lugs that flow seamlessly into the bracelet end-links. It is a design that feels cohesive and architectural, rather than a simple round puck strapped to the wrist.
One of the most striking features of the Roadmaster Perseverer is the dial texture, which employs a horizontal tapestry pattern. This ridged surface adds significant depth to the face of the watch, catching the light in interesting ways as the wrist moves. The lines run parallel across the dial, creating a sense of order and linearity that complements the industrial theme of the watch. This texturing serves a dual purpose: it reduces glare by breaking up the flat surface area, and it provides a rich backdrop for the applied indices. The dial is available in three distinct colorways, each offering a different personality. The black model is the most traditional, offering high contrast and a stark, instrument-like legibility that aligns perfectly with the brand’s railroad heritage. It is the safest choice for those who view the watch purely as a tool, offering a no-nonsense aesthetic that works with any wardrobe.
The blue variant introduces a vibrant, energetic tone to the collection. The horizontal ridges on the blue dial create a shimmering effect, with the color appearing to shift between deep navy and a brighter azure depending on the lighting conditions. It captures a more nautical or sporting vibe, making it an excellent companion for casual wear. Then there is the ice blue option, which has become a highly sought-after color in modern horology. On the Perseverer, the ice blue is cool and metallic, offering a softer, more contemporary look. It pairs exceptionally well with the bright luster of the 904L steel, creating a monochromatic but tonally varied appearance that feels sophisticated and distinct. The choice of these three colors allows the collection to appeal to a wide range of tastes, from the conservative traditionalist to the trend-conscious collector.
Courtesy of Ball
Legibility is paramount for any watch bearing the Ball name, and the Perseverer addresses this through the brand’s signature micro gas tube technology. Unlike traditional photoluminescent paint, which requires an external light source to charge and fades over a few hours, the micro gas tubes used here are self-powered. These borosilicate glass capsules are internally coated with phosphor and filled with tritium gas, which undergoes beta decay to release electrons that activate the phosphor, causing it to glow continuously. The Perseverer features 16 of these tubes: on the hour markers, the minute hand, the hour hand, and even the second hand. This ensures that the time is instantly readable in total darkness, with a constant brightness that will last for decades. The tubes are cylindrical and applied directly to the dial and hands, adding a three-dimensional architectural element to the display that is unique to this technology.
The hands themselves are baton-shaped, echoing the linear motif of the dial texture and the indices. They are substantial enough to carry the gas tubes without appearing bulky, maintaining the overall sleek profile of the watch. A notable detail is the sweep seconds hand, which features the brand’s "RR" (Railroad) logo as a counterweight, a subtle reminder of the company's origins. The tip of the seconds hand is painted red, providing a pop of color that aids in quick reading and adds a dynamic touch to the dial. This red accent matches the "Automatic" and "AMORTISER" text printed at the six o'clock position, creating a balanced vertical symmetry. The date window is positioned at three o'clock and is magnified by a "cyclops" lens on the sapphire crystal. This magnification is a practical addition for a daily-wear watch, making the date numeral significantly larger and easier to read at a glance, further emphasizing the practical utility of the design.
Protecting the dial is a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, treated with an anti-reflective coating to ensure clarity under harsh lighting. The use of sapphire is standard in luxury watchmaking, but its integration here, flush with the bezel, contributes to the watch's durability. The bezel itself is fixed and smooth, opting for a clean look rather than the rotating divers' bezels often found on sport watches. This choice reinforces the "all-arounder" nature of the Perseverer; it is not strictly a dive watch or a pilot's watch, but a general-purpose field watch designed for land-based resilience. The crown is a screw-down type, which is essential for maintaining the watch's 100-meter water resistance rating. This level of water resistance is more than sufficient for swimming, snorkeling, and general exposure to the elements, ensuring the watch can stay on the wrist regardless of the weather or activity.
Courtesy of Ball
Under the hood, the Roadmaster Perseverer is powered by the automatic caliber BALL RR1103. This movement is a robust workhorse, chosen for its reliability and serviceability. While it is based on a Swiss ebauche, Ball modifies and regulates these movements to ensure they meet their high standards. The movement provides the standard timekeeping functions along with a quick-set date. Its automatic winding mechanism means it gathers energy from the motion of the wearer’s wrist, eliminating the need for a battery. For a watch inspired by the concept of perseverance, a mechanical movement is fitting; it is a machine that relies on human interaction to keep going, a symbiotic relationship between the user and the tool.
The movement is protected by Ball’s patented Amortiser anti-shock system. Mechanical movements are inherently delicate, with tiny pivots and springs that can be damaged by sudden impacts. The Amortiser system is designed to safeguard the rotor and the balance wheel against such shocks. It acts as a suspension system for the movement, absorbing the energy from side impacts that would otherwise be transferred directly to the escapement. This feature distinguishes the Perseverer from a standard dress watch, qualifying it for use during vigorous activities like golf, tennis, or manual labor. Furthermore, the watch includes an anti-magnetic ring that surrounds the movement, shielding it from magnetic fields up to 4,800 A/m. In our modern environment, filled with magnets in speakers, laptops, and phone cases, this protection is crucial for maintaining long-term accuracy.
The exhibition case back allows the owner to view the movement, a feature that many enthusiasts appreciate. Through the sapphire crystal on the back, one can see the rotor spinning and the balance wheel oscillating. It serves as a window into the mechanical heart of the device, contrasting the rugged exterior with the intricate engineering inside. The case back is screwed down, contributing to the structural rigidity of the case. The engraving on the perimeter of the case back details the specifications of the watch, including the materials and water resistance, reinforcing its identity as a spec-heavy instrument.
The bracelet of the Perseverer is as much a part of the engineering story as the watch head. Crafted from the same 904L stainless steel, it features an H-link design that integrates seamlessly with the case. The integration of the bracelet is a key aesthetic choice, creating a continuous line from the lugs around the wrist. The links are solid and substantial, yet articulated to drape comfortably. The finish on the bracelet mirrors the case, with brushed surfaces on the broad faces of the links and polished accents on the center links or edges, depending on the light. This dual finishing helps to mask the inevitable scuffs that appear on the clasp and lower links over time. The folding buckle is secure and low-profile, designed to prevent accidental opening while remaining easy to operate.
Courtesy of Ball
The comfort of the bracelet is aided by the 904L material's properties; while dense, the ergonomic shaping of the links prevents hair pulling and allows for airflow. The "daily beater" philosophy extends to the bracelet’s construction, which uses screws for link adjustment rather than the cheaper pin-and-collar system often found in lesser watches. This allows for easier sizing and a more secure hold over time. The integration of the bracelet means that aftermarket strap options might be limited, but the quality of the supplied bracelet suggests that few owners would want to swap it out. It is built to last the lifetime of the watch, designed as a permanent component of the timepiece’s architecture.
The connection to Henry Ford is not just marketing fluff but is rooted in the history of industrial reliance on timekeeping. Ford's pocket watch, with serial number B2141130, was not a piece of jewelry; it was a calibrated instrument used to synchronize the complex logistics of his assembly lines. The Perseverer attempts to translate that utility into a modern wrist-worn format. It avoids the superfluity of unnecessary complications, focusing strictly on the time and date, the two data points most critical for daily organization. This restraint is a design choice that speaks to the "uncluttered, minimalistic" ethos mentioned in the brand's literature. It is a watch that does not shout for attention but performs its duty with quiet competence.
When considering the competition, the use of 904L steel is a significant differentiator. This alloy is notoriously difficult to machine due to its hardness, requiring specialized tooling and longer production times. By offering this material, Ball is providing a tangible upgrade in build quality that is usually reserved for brands with significantly higher price points. It signals to the owner that no corners were cut in the fabrication of the exterior components. The combination of this advanced steel with the proprietary shock protection and gas tube technology creates a package that is technically superior to many standard Swiss field watches.
The Roadmaster Perseverer is, in many ways, a hybrid. It merges the aesthetics of a 1970s integrated sports watch with the technical specifications of a modern field watch and the material science of a high-end diver. It occupies a niche for the collector who appreciates the history of American railroading but demands a watch that can handle the realities of modern life. It is tough enough to be worn while working on a car engine, yet refined enough to be worn to a dinner party. The "perseverance" in the name is apt; it refers not just to the human spirit it honors, but to the watch's ability to keep ticking through shocks, magnetism, water, and darkness.
Courtesy of Ball
The dial layout remains balanced despite the inclusion of the day and magnifier. The logo placement at 12 o'clock and the text at 6 o'clock prevent the dial from feeling top-heavy. The baton markers are applied rather than printed, adding height and texture to the dial that matches the depth of the horizontal grooves. The minute track is printed on the outer flange, keeping the main dial area clean and legible. Every element has been considered to maximize readability, adhering to the core principle that a watch must first and foremost be a clear indicator of time.
In terms of acquisition, the Ball Roadmaster Perseverer is positioned competitively within the luxury market. The watch is available through authorized retailers and the brand's online channels. The recommended retail price is set at US$ 1,949. Considering the specification sheet—904L stainless steel, tritium gas tube illumination, a COSC-level equivalent movement (though not explicitly COSC certified, it is built to those accuracies), and patented shock protection—the value proposition is strong. It offers a suite of features that are rare to find combined in a single timepiece at this price point, making it an accessible entry into the world of high-performance Swiss watchmaking.
Case: 904L stainless steel construction measuring 40mm in diameter and 12mm in height. Features Amortiser® patented anti-shock system resistant to 5,000Gs and anti-magnetic protection up to 4,800A/m. Equipped with anti-reflective sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal exhibition case back, and screwed-in crown. Water resistant to 100m/330ft.
Movement: Automatic caliber BALL RR1103. Functions include hours, minutes, sweep seconds, and magnified date display at 3 o'clock. Protected by an anti-magnetic ring and patented shock absorption system.
Dial: Available in Black, Blue, or Ice Blue colors with a horizontal tapestry pattern. Features 16 micro gas tubes applied to the hour, minute, and second hands as well as dial markers for self-powered night reading capability.
Strap: 904L stainless steel bracelet with folding buckle.
Price: US$ 1,949
Reference Number: NM9050C-S1-BK/-BE/-IBE
Notes: Inspired by Henry Ford and his use of Ball pocket watches. Utilizes 904L steel, an alloy with higher amounts of chromium, molybdenum, nickel, and copper for superior corrosion resistance. Micro gas tubes require no external light source for charging.