BALL Watch Company

BALL Watch Company was founded in 1891 by Webb C. Ball in Cleveland, Ohio. The company's origins are tied to one of American railroad history's most significant moments. On April 19, 1891, a fatal head-on train collision in Kipton, Ohio occurred because an engineer's watch had stopped for approximately four minutes unnoticed. In response, Webb C. Ball was appointed 'Chief Time Inspector' by the railroads to establish strict standards for all timepieces used by railroad personnel. Ball created the 'RR Standard' (Railroad Standard) certification, requiring watches to meet rigorous criteria including accuracy within 30 seconds per week, resistance to temperature variations (40-95°F), adjustment to at least 5 positions, minimum 17 jewels, and lever-set mechanisms. He also established the BALL Time Service, requiring railroad employees to have their watches inspected every two weeks. These exacting standards later influenced the Swiss COSC chronometer certification. The company transitioned to Swiss manufacturing and today operates from La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, while maintaining its American heritage and pioneering spirit.