The Ball Roadmaster Perseverer - The Tool Watch Inspired By The 70’s
BALL Watch Company has never been shy about a tool watch, and the new Roadmaster Perseverer leans hard into that idea with a grin on its face and a torch permanently switched on.
At 40mm in stainless steel the Roadmaster Perseverer hits that sweet spot where it feels purposeful without straying into dinner plate territory. The case design nods to the 1970s with sharp angles and a confident stance, mixing brushed surfaces with polished edges so it catches the light just enough to remind you it is still a watch and not a piece of industrial equipment.
The integrated bracelet deserves a quiet round of applause. It flows straight out of the case and sits neatly on the wrist, giving the whole watch a balanced and considered feel rather than looking like an afterthought bolted on at the last minute.
The dial is where things get interesting. A horizontal tapestry style pattern adds texture and depth, stopping things from feeling flat or clinical. Available in black navy blue or ice blue, each version has a clean minimal layout that keeps the focus firmly on legibility.
And then there is the glow. BALL’s signature H3 gas tubes are everywhere they need to be, lighting up the hands and hour markers like a miniature landing strip. No charging. No sunlight. No waving it under a lamp like a lunatic. It just works, all the time, which feels very on brand.
Inside beats the automatic BALL RR1103 movement, visible through the sapphire case back. You get hours minutes sweep seconds and a magnified date at three, all protected by BALL’s patented Amortiser system. This clever bit of engineering helps shield the movement from heavy shocks, backed up by serious resistance to impact and magnetism. It is the sort of spec sheet that quietly mutters “go on then” under its breath.
Water resistance is rated to 100 metres, the crystal is sapphire front and back, and the crown screws down with reassuring intent. It is very much a watch designed to be worn, used and occasionally knocked about, rather than kept pristine in a box.
At £1,670 the Roadmaster Perseverer sits in an interesting space. It offers proper engineering, real heritage and a distinctive look without tipping into luxury watch histrionics. It feels honest, capable and slightly overqualified for most daily tasks, which is exactly how we like our tool watches.
In short, this is BALL doing what BALL does best. Tough watches with a practical soul, a bit of old school charm and enough glow to guide you home after last orders.
