Case... is a 10K Yellow GF Keystone J Boss Ball Model, one of the the Cadillac of Cases, and when you feast your eyes on this beauty you can certainly see why. It is in like new condition Gorgeous most desirable stirrup bow, and look at that fancy back! This one has been only litely carried, but not worn in service. Tight Bow. Beautiful Keystone Fancy Back Ball Model Case

Dial... is original Hamilton Ball Porcelain Dial. One lite flake above subseconds. Very clean. Beautiful triple matching blued aquamarine steel original Ball hands.
Folks, this is truly one of the best Ball 998s you will ever see. This combination is unstoppable, and the one everyone wants. Nice Heavy Gothic Ball dial in beautiful condition!

Movement... is in near mint to new condition! Gold center wheel, marked Elinvar under balance. No evidence of scratches rust or abuse anywhere on this one! Black lettering standing out nicely. Winds and runs like new. This movement rivals anything I've ever seen, or have in my personal collection. As with the Illinois Balls, the movement is far and away the most important factor in determining value and collectibility. I would not hesitate one bit to put it in my own safe, and wholeheartedly recommend this one highly. Beautiful example for your collection!

The Ball 998 Elinvar is escalating rapidly. Top book shows two stars and is up $100 from last year...now $4500.00. You just don't see these or the 950 Elinvars...they're just not out there in this condition. One like this with a superlative movement is a great hedge, and I can say with assurance will continue upward in price from here. Only 2,700 of these were ever produced in three runs...two runs of 1000 and one final run of 700 at the end...(this one is the 646th 998 of the second run) Far less than the number of Illinois Ball watches. I have said all along these are worth every bit as much if not more than the Illinois Ball, now it seems to have come true.

I actually paid a little more for this one (some was due to this stunning case, but prices on these 998Es were up across the board.)

Like the Illinois Ball, these are costing more every time I find another. If you want a 998E or a Ball Illinois in your collection (and who doesn't) the sooner you buy one, the less you will pay. There's just not enough of either of these in collector condition like this to go around.

For your consideration...A Ball Hamilton 998 Elinvar in a gorgeous Keystone Ball Model Fancy Case with a mint porcelain dial and a truly mint movement! Don't think too long on this one, folks...especially in this condition...They are headed higher!...$OLD 

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