What is a "Ball Model Case"?

August 21, 2007, 09:34

Bob Kerr

I have a pw that I am working on and it has a silverore case that is marked Ball Model. What does this mean?
The movement is by no means a "Ball"?

August 21, 2007, 10:32

David Abbe

If you post a picture that would help.

August 21, 2007, 12:35

Lindell V. Riddle

Bob,

Generally speaking marked as "Ball-Model" cases came on Ball watches.

You'll notice I said "generally" because there are several ways that immediately come to mind wherein another make movement could end up housed in a "Ball-Model" case. As an example, one could of course have purchased a replacement case for an existing watch movement from the Webb C. Ball Jewelry Company, after all they were retailers and would have been happy to make the sale.

Another distinct possibility would have the customer specially ordering a specific movement of another make, say a Rockford Indicator from Ball Jewelers and choosing one of their Ball-Model cases to house the new movement. But the most common situation would simply be that someone has re-cased the movement in question. Look carefully for an additional set of case screw marks.

You probably found a Keystone "Silveroid" which was their trademark for nickel cases.

Lindell

This is an 18s Keystone "Silveroid" Ball-Model case...

August 21, 2007, 12:51

Ethan Lipsig

I know zero about Ball watches and do not collect them. However, my wife has a family heirloom Hamilton 974 that definitely has never been recased. It is in a 14k Keystone case marked "Ball Commercial." I have assumed, if incorrectly, that such cases were sold to jewelers for use with any standard size watch.

August 21, 2007, 13:12

Bob Kerr

Lindell, you got it right on the money. That could be the same case. It appears that the movement is orginal to the case.
I purchased this on ebay as a parts watch. It looked to be under water at one time. I'll post some pic's later tonight from home. Back to work