Is It Worth It? | Baltic Aquascaphe GMT Review
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- Опубликовано: 12 фев 2021
- WatchGecko Review - The Baltic Aquascaphe GMT
WRITTEN ARTICLE: www.watchgecko.com/the-baltic...
The Baltic Aquascaphe Diver WatchGecko Review
• The Best Of Both World...
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Model Wrist Sizes
7 inches
Products featured;
BALTIC AQUASCAPHE GMT
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There are many quotes and thought processes when it comes to how one should approach design. One of my personal favourites is when an establishment evolves at an incremental level. It shows an understanding and importance of how previous design still holds value and should be respected.
Car manufacturers are brilliant at this. Take BMW or Audi and have a look back at their cars from 10 years ago to now. Not much has changed, you can tell they’re from the same family meaning buyers remorse when a newer model is released is minimised. Good design cuts through all of the unnecessary weight and simply delivers a product that can consistently perform. Design is king; watches are no different.
When we looked at the Aquascaphe Blue Gilt last year we had high praise for Baltic. They had simplified what neo-vintage looks like in a way that welcomes everyone, casual or veteran. But now an evolution has happened. The Aquascaphe GMT is here and with it comes one burning question: Have Baltic managed to succeed in its evolution, or have they missed the mark completely?
How is it different from the Aquascaphe Diver?
Normally this is where we break down what the watch offers. But in this case, a lot of the watch is identical to the Aquascaphe Diver. You can learn more about those details by checking out our original review here, so today we’re just going to focus on what is new. There are 4 key areas to cover:
1. Multiple timezones in one
The most obvious change is, of course, the fact this watch is a GMT, one powered by a Soprod C125 mechanical movement. With 42 hours of power reserve, 28,800 vph and being Swiss this is a fantastic option for Baltic as they’ve moved away from the Miyota movement of previous models. It is worth highlighting to those hardcore travellers and GMT connoisseurs that although the GMT hand can be independently set, the hour hand cannot be independently jumped forwards or backwards.
Turning the watch over we see the solid caseback shows a world timer map laid out. Unfortunately, since launching the watch, it was brought to Baltic’s attention that the map is actually incorrect. However, Baltic are committed to getting this issue resolved at no cost to customers. Errors happen, and I haven’t let this impact my review.
Next is the bezel which has changed both visually and of course functionally. What was once a unidirectional diving bezel is now a bidirectional 24 hour one. There is still a sapphire insert though which is the closest modern execution to a bakelite bezel as seen on historical GMTs. Baltic had some fun here with the colour options as we see a Blue/Grey, a Blue/Green and this, a Blue/Orange.
They’re clever choices as they all have that familiar feel to them but they’re not overly ‘homage’ esque. Another small bezel change is the font which has seen the flat top 4 go as seen on the diving watch, making way for an open 6. It’s a small difference, but it's certainly one that plays its part. We also see a fully lumed bezel which is essentially a torch on the wrist.
As we move to the dial we find that the handset has remained the same, however, they’re no longer flat but now chamfered. This results in greater visibility and also added depth to the watch.
Far too often watch hands are flat and it always feels like a missed opportunity to add an additional dimension. It’s a small change, but enough positive small changes can have a huge impact. 
Хобби
If we go purely off of aesthetics, I actually think this is a superior design to even the Rolex GMTs. It's honestly one of the best looking watches I think I've ever seen. The subtle roundness of everything gives it a nice elegant vibe, and that blue and green model is just stunning!
For classic vintage style watches Baltic is forming a very exciting family.
So true.
I think that one can legitimately say that they are the Tudor of Micro-Brands - even if their days as qualifying as a Micro-Brand are numbered.
Like Tudor, you can't exactly say that they're inexpensive, but more importantly - you can say they offer incredible value (and great value retention).
Like Tudor, they have drawn heavily from iconic vintage design whilst managing to create a style that is unmistakably their own.
And like Tudor, they're getting increasingly difficult to get hold of.
The only thing that worries me about Baltic is a fear that they will stop using the Miyota 9 series mov'ts in favour of Swiss Made branding.
The 9 series is consistently proving itself to be the best high beat 3rd party mov't supplier there is and we need the solid alternatives to the Swatch group in that sub $1K market - like Smiths and Baltic are proving to be?
Well said Anthony 👍
ʙᴀʟᴛɪᴄ are an impressive brand.
Taking the leap from the $500 price point to the $1K price point was brave. Obviously the $500 or less micro-brand market is competitive, but the $1K price tier is really tough due to the volume of Swiss heritage brands in the tier, yet they've done it again.
True to Baltic form, it's an excellent neo-vintange design with enough of its own personality.
But it'd be a shame for them to drop their core Miyota 9 series powered divers in favour of Swiss Made 'branding'. It's not going to give us a better watch, only a pricier watch.
And that BoR bracelet is like silk. Not sure l'd be planning to swap it out for a strap of any kind.
Baltic watches really do look great. The GMT is stunning with a balanced mix of modern and vintage aesthetics
I recognize I'm almost a year late on this, but thought I'd add that the Lorier Hyperion -- which launched at roughly the same time as this Baltic -- actually has an acrylic bezel. Something I would consider to be much more reminiscent of vintage Bakelite than sapphire. Wonderful macro shots here btw!
This thing is making me feel some type of way and I love it
Nice vintage vibe to the watch - 👍👍
Very nice and great looking watch.
They should make some other colour dials to choose
How does this GMT do different things for you that other GMT’s did not?
1:15 thank you for highlighting this, as unfortunately most GMTs are like that. I'd wager the majority of reviewers aren't even aware of a term "traveler's GMT".
Yeah, there was even an article on a watch website (forgot which one, maybe time and tide) that claimed this was a proper and true GMT. Even so called watch enthusiasts and experts do not know.
Love this one 😍
I purchased a Squale GMT and feel it was worth the money...if Baltic is about $800.00 then it should be especially with an ETA
You should compare it to the Lorier Hyperion
They have it listed at 12mm in thickness on the website...is that without the crystal?
It's 0mm thick without the watch, or so I've read.
Want.
Showing as 920.80 with rubber strap or 1000 pounds for me with bracelet
I think that’s Euros.
I don't like the Pepsi colors they cost for the bezel in this version. They other two models are nice.... (And also look less like a they're trying to be a GMT master)
Baltic are tasteful homages to horology. Not like some nasty ass steinhart or similar off-brand clone watches.
Trop chère
Its French not Swiss
nice watch but too expansive
I just wish that hands were more "fat" and pronounced.
A date location at 6:00 or any other than the traditional 3:00 is a deal breaker for me. The price of $1,000 is also way to high for a micro brand.
I’ve never understood this point of view. Economies of scale mean that the BoM for a watch from a micro brand will always be more expensive than that of a much larger brand using the same components. If the build quality is good and design is awesome (as I have found with Baltic) then I have absolutely no problems with paying $1k for this watch.
None of the money I spend is being wasted on celebrity endorsements and advertising or distribution networks, it’s going to a few passionate watch enthusiasts and owner-entrepreneurs and presumably being reinvested into the company.
In terms of putting my money where my mouth is, I’ll also soon be buying a Monta for about $2k. With quality and finishing at least on par with a brand like Tudor, they represent a bargain.
Baltic is a french brand not swiss