I just purchased a Ball 18s 21 Jewel 999. I bought it via an ebay auction and noticed when I received it that, although well done, the dial is an enamel reproduction based on the fact that it has a "faux" single sunk seconds bit. I was wondering when these type of reproduction dials were produced. It seems that all of the repro dials I see today are not convincing at all. I couldn't tell this dial was a repro from the auction photos. I am going to keep the watch anyway because the movement is spectacular. Thanks in advance for any info!
Jim Wooldridge
Posts: 49 | Location: Rapids City, Illinois USA | Registered: August 05, 2005
That looks like one of the dials sold by S. LaRose over the last twenty or so years. They look fairly good and are great for a carry watch, but of course they're not the real thing.
Unfortunately there are more Ball Watches than proper dials. This is particularly true for all the Brotherhoods and for Ball-Hamilton 18-size ORRS movements as well.
Prices for nice original Ball dials have gone up a lot in recent years.
Posts: 10553 | Location: Northeastern Ohio in the USA | Registered: November 19, 2002
Thanks Jim for posting the dial I can see nowit is not original but I must admit it is the first Ball one I have seen or at least noticed. If it was a 16s I could have helped you out with an original. 18S ball dials I rarely ever see.
That's exactly the same dial I had Samie install on my 18s 17j 999. You can see it in my 'found a Ball today' post in the Ball section. My original dial had an AWFUL attempt at repair, and it really looked terrible. I still have that dial, and keep it with the 999. As Lindell said, it's fine for a carry situation, but won't fool a collector.
Regards! Mark
Posts: 3831 | Location: Estill Springs, Tennessee, USA | Registered: December 02, 2002
