Ever since the invention of clocks, men have been faced with the challenge of telling time in the dark. In medieval times, the invention of mechanical clocks with repeater mechanisms, which chimed the hours and quarter-hours, brought a partial solution. Residents of towns lucky enough to be able to afford a clock and belfry could find the hour during the night with reasonable precision if they paid close attention to the chiming of the bells. In most villages, however, people had no choice but to use a sundial during the day and a graduated candle at night, an imprecise and expensive system.
Self-Powered Micro Gas Lights (3H) are a novel light source manufactured by means of innovative Swiss laser technology that can be used on all types of watches. It provides superior, long-life brightness – 100 times brighter than the current markings using luminous paint, and with a useful life easily reaching 25 years. It does so without charging from the sun or the use of batteries. You can year in and year out read the watch quickly and safely in brightest daylight or deepest night.
The long road to today's technology was taken in three stages spanning over several decades. Our third stage state-of-the-art technology permits a 100-fold increase in brightness, combined with 100-fold reduction of the irradiation risk to an absolutely negligible level. The US military has long recognized the advantages of micro gas light sources and their use is specified in procurement specification MIL-W-46374F.
With exceptional craftsmanship, our talented watchmakers affix every tiny, delicate gas light on the dials and hands to create the BALL Watch signature design. Just as what we always do to go beyond imagination, our designers make use of the various sizes, shapes and colors of the gas lights to build an array of collections, each with its own unique style. One of the most important breakthroughs was the patented illuminated calendar (Patent pending number: 10-307,059). Inspired by our strong railroad heritage, the pioneering 'Moon Glow' design enables the wearer to read not only the time but also the date clearly under the darkest environment. In the 1947 Train of Tomorrow, the "Moon Glow" was an observation compartment built for friendly relaxation in a cozy environment that provided a magnificent view of the landscape through its wide windows.
