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The Ballast Holland Automatic BL-3150-03 was named after the first submarine of the US Navy. It’s not new that Ballast chooses names based on models from military history. Nevertheless, the Holland Automatic is worth seeing.
The first (modern) submarine of the US Navy
The Ballast Holland Automatic BL-3150-03 got a deserved place in my ranking of the 18 Best Dive Watches 2022/23. Rightly? In my opinion, definitely. Because it’s the standout design that makes this timepiece from the mid-three-digit price segment so interesting. Among the primarily silver and black cases, the Ballast Holland Automatic makes a statement with its thoroughly brown look. “Another bronze diver,” you might think. However, that’s not true. The diver’s watch has absolutely nothing in common with the fashionable material of recent years. Ballast’s rustic wristwatch is made of stainless steel, which is merely dyed brown – and therefore still looks as it did on the first day, even after years.
Its striking appearance is no coincidence. Like the Ballast Valiant Pampanito Automatic Black SS, for example, the Holland Automatic is thematically oriented towards US military history. It was named after the USS Holland, the first modern submarine of the US Navy. This in turn owes its name to John Philip Holland. The Irish engineer was instrumental in its development and construction at the end of the 19th century. So anyone interested in military history and history in general should take a closer look at the model.
However, the bulky diver does not disappoint in terms of craftsmanship either. The matte stainless steel of the case is neatly finished. Ballast holds back on further details regarding the case components and the movement. Only this much: the automatic caliber inside comes from Japanese production.
The exceptional diver for everyday life!?
Visually, the brown Ballast watch makes quite an impression. However, you should think beforehand whether you can or really want to wear the diameter of 47 millimeters. I recommend the Ballast Holland Automatic BL-3150-03 especially to men with larger wrist circumference. The considerable dimensions are also accompanied by a high weight of 250 grams. Nevertheless, the wearer enjoys a pleasant wearing comfort thanks to the soft leather strap. And although the Ballast Holland Automatic BL-3150-03 is water resistant up to 20 bar, the leather strap and the lack of rotating bezel already make it clear that the watch is primarily intended for everyday use. Nevertheless, you will benefit from other advantages of a diver’s watch, such as the good readability of the brown dial.
Conclusion: not only history fans will fall in love with this timepiece. If you are looking for an unusual, yet stylish diver’s watch for everyday use, you should take the Holland Automatic into your shortlist. Cost: USD 550.00
More about Ballast Watches and the Holland Automatic BL-3150-03
Here you can find the watch in the store
The whole collection at a glance
The 18 Best Dive Watches 2022/23
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