Authorised Ball Retailer
Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Original Automatic Watch
Colour: Black
· Ref: DM2118B-SCJ-BK
£3,030
VAT incl. · Free express delivery
15%
off with your code
Apply it at checkout · Your price: £2,575.50
Colour: Black
Authenticity
Authorized Ball dealer
Warranty
Official Ball warranty
Shipping
Free · DHL Express
Returns
30 days from delivery
Overview
The Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Original shields its movement from magnetic fields up to 80,000 A/m and lights its black dial and timing bezel with tritium tubes.
Easy to read, day or night
The Hydrocarbon Original shows the time, weekday, and date on its dial. Around the dial, a unidirectional bezel lets you measure elapsed time independently of the main hands. Thirty sealed tritium gas tubes illuminate the hands, hour markers, and bezel scale continuously, without needing to be charged in sunlight or under a lamp.
Protected against magnetism
Resistance to magnetism was among the requirements Webb C. Ball set for railroad watches after the 1891 train collision at Kipton, Ohio. Inside the case, a mu-metal shield redirects static and low-frequency magnetic fields around the movement. Made from nickel, iron, copper, and molybdenum, it helps keep those fields from disturbing the movement’s rate.
Magnetic resistance is rated at 80,000 A/m, equivalent to 1,000 gauss. That matters in daily life, where phones, laptops, and speaker magnets can all affect a mechanical watch.
The details
The stainless steel case measures 40 mm across and 14.55 mm thick, with an anti-reflective sapphire crystal.
The COSC-certified automatic movement provides a 38-hour power reserve. COSC is the official Swiss institute that tests chronometers for accuracy over 15 days. Shock resistance is rated at 7,500 Gs (7,500 times the force of gravity), and the case is water-resistant to 200 meters.
A stainless steel bracelet closes with a folding clasp.
At a glance
- 30 tritium gas tubes
- COSC chronometer · 38-hour power reserve
- Antimagnetic to 80,000 A/m (1,000 gauss) · shock-resistant to 7,500 Gs
- Unidirectional rotating bezel
Specs
Movement
Type
Automatic
Power reserve
38 Hours
Frequency
28,800 vph
Jewels
25 jewels
Case
Material
Stainless steel
Diameter
40 mm
Thickness
14.55 mm
Crystal
Anti-reflective sapphire
Crown
Screw-down
Antimagnetic
80,000 A/m
Impact resistance
7,500 Gs
Dial
Color
Black
Calendar
Day and date
Lume
Hands, hour markers and bezel
Gas tubes
30 H3 Gas tubes
Water resistance
Rating
20 atm
Bracelet
Material
Stainless steel
Clasp
Type
Foldover clasp
General
Country of manufacture
Switzerland
Questions & Answers
How are the dial and elapsed-time bezel illuminated?
Thirty tritium tubes illuminate the hands, hour markers, and bezel scale. Inside each sealed glass tube, tritium activates a luminous coating. The tubes glow continuously, without a battery or any need to be charged by sunlight or a lamp. The glow gradually fades as the tritium decays, with a half-life of about 12.3 years.
How do Amortiser and the magnetic shield protect the Hydrocarbon Original?
Amortiser surrounds the movement with a protective ring that absorbs energy from lateral shocks. A mu-metal shield redirects static and low-frequency magnetic fields around the movement to help keep those fields from disturbing its rate. The watch is rated to 80,000 A/m (1,000 gauss). Stronger fields can exceed that protection.
What does COSC certification mean for this movement?
The movement passed independent chronometer testing over 15 days, in five positions and at three temperatures. The permitted average daily rate during testing is -4 to +6 seconds. The test is done before the movement is fitted into the case, so the watch’s daily rate on the wrist can vary.
Why is it important to secure the crown after setting?
After setting or winding, return the crown to its closed position and screw it fully into the case before contact with water. Correct closure is needed to maintain the rated water resistance.
Still have questions?
Talk to a specialist
Verified Reviews
FAQ
Yes, we are an Official Ball Authorised Dealer, and an authorised dealer for every brand we carry.
With over 15 years in the luxury market, we guarantee the authenticity and quality of every piece we sell.
Your order arrives brand new in its original Ball packaging, with all official documentation and the Ball warranty card, stamped and dated by us.
The warranty covers manufacturing defects. It doesn't cover normal wear and tear or accidental damage — and on watches, it doesn't cover straps, bracelets, or batteries.
Questions about a specific piece? Our specialists are happy to help. [Contact our team →]
Questions about a specific piece? Our specialists are happy to help.
Yes — free DHL Express shipping on all UK orders of £400 or more.
- Orders from £150 to £399.99 ship DHL Express for a flat £9.90
- Orders under £150 ship DHL Express for a flat £19.90
Every order ships with a tracking number, so you can follow your package every step of the way. Shipments are fully insured and delivered by DHL Express with signature required.
Most in-stock orders arrive within 1-2 working days of dispatch.
No — the price you see at checkout is the price you pay.
Our prices include VAT, and nothing is added beyond the delivery charge shown.
DHL will never ask you for a payment on delivery, and no surprise invoice arrives afterward.
No handling charges, no processing fees, nothing added at the door.
We accept all major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and bank transfer.
- Credit and debit cards — Visa, Mastercard, American Express
- Apple Pay and Google Pay — one-tap checkout, nothing to type
- PayPal — with PayPal Buyer Protection on every purchase
- Bank transfer — often the preference on higher-value orders
Every transaction is fully encrypted, and we never store your card details.
Paying in instalments. Choose PayPal at checkout and you may be offered the option to spread the cost, including interest-free plans on qualifying orders. Plans, terms and eligibility are set by PayPal and shown before you confirm, with no obligation.
Paying by wire, or buying more than one piece? [Contact our team →] and we'll take care of you personally.
You'll find availability on every product page, right above the Add to Cart button. Here's what each status means:
"Dispatched next working day" or "Only 1 left" — the piece is in our warehouse and leaves the working day after you order.
"Dispatched within X working days" — the piece is held at our secondary warehouse. We allow a few days to inspect and authenticate it before dispatch.
"Check delivery date" — the piece is available to order, but we confirm the exact date with the brand. As soon as you order, we contact the manufacturer and email you an estimated date.
Need something by a specific date? Tell us and we'll check before you buy. [Contact our team →]
You have 30 days from delivery to return your order.
How returns work. Just let us know and we'll email you a prepaid DHL Express return label — you never have to arrange a shipment or pay anything up front. The return cost is deducted from your refund. If the piece arrived damaged or wasn't what you ordered, the return is on us.
Your refund options.
- Credit (issued as a gift card) — processed almost immediately once your return reaches us
- Refund to your original payment method — typically 5–10 working days, depending on your bank
To qualify for a full refund, the piece must:
- Be unused and in perfect condition, with no signs of wear
- Include its original packaging and outer box
- Include all original documentation, accessories, and the warranty card
- Not be engraved or personalised — custom pieces are made to order and can't be returned
Not sure whether something qualifies? Ask us before you ship it back — we'll tell you straight. Contact our team.
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Still have questions?
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