Just got the heads up, wanted to share as I think this beaut should be in everyone’s watch box! Mark your calendars - this one is worth the wait and worth refreshing your browser like concert tickets!

Oh, and definitely go for the BOR bracelet, it’s damn sweet!

Of course, have to add a pic of mine:

 

Well posted ... I hand the Aquascaphe baton to you @rkman11! Don’t miss this chance to add a terrific watch to your collection.

 

Yes, thanks. Marked on my calendar.

 

Well thank YOU, good sir, as your many awesome Aquascaphe posts were a huge factor in me tracking one down, so I’m very happy to take that baton and run with it!

 

@rkman11.

Yes darling it is another blue diver, no I don’t strictly NEED another on, but.......

If this causes my divorce you need to contribute to my alimony!
Thanks for the update.

 

Hey, I’m fightin’ my own battles over here!

 

I don't know much about these but they certainly are cool looking watches.... off to do some research

 

T-minus 3 days... calendars marked?! I have zero affiliation with this company, I just purchased one a little while back and am blown away with the watch. In my opinion it beats anything in its price range!

 

Completely agree... I absolutely love my Baltic. Just a great watch in every way and it gets shed loads of wrist time. I'm hoping to pick up a bor for mine when they come back in to stock as I currently only have the tropic.

Very different experience than I've had with the Yema which is in the same price range but just hadn't blown me away anywhere near as much.

 

Ok, @OHS @rkman11 and others: what is it that makes Baltic so great, compared to its competitors—and which brands do you see as competitors anyway? I'm trying to figure out what all the fuss is about with these watches, and considering whether or not to jump the bandwagon. What stands out to you in terms of materials, finishing, design, movement, accuracy, etc?

 

Looks nice! What is the case dimensions and thickness on these guys?

 

Who knows anything about the Miyota 9039? Not a great deal on the internet other than people who sell them l!nd a few other comments.

 

I think the Meraud Bonaire and the Hudson 38 by Maen.

 

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I think there a lot of competition in the sub $800 US range, especially for divers. Less so in the sweet sub 40mm size, but definitely the Meraud Bonaire and the Yema Superman Bronze.

I can’t say I’ve had my hands on all the micro brand competition but I did go to a micro brand watch exhibit in LA that had most of the players present.

I think the fit and finish of the Baltic Aquascaphe is just incredible. Especially the BOR bracelet, that manages to feel both vintage and modern at the same time. And of course extremely comfortable. The sizing is perfect at 38mm (39mm with the bezel) and I believe 12mm height. The bezel action, full 120, is tight and loud and way better than I expected. The dial is clean and functional and extremely well done. The movement is the movement, it’s a workhouse, accuracy is decent (mine seems to be holding at about +12 sec per day) hacking, handwinding, and no phantom date position.

All in all you can just really see and feel the attention to detail with this piece.

I could go on, but I’ll stop there and say just pick one up and thank me later! Now here are some pics:

 

That Meraud Bonaire looks uncannily similar to the Baltic Aquascape. I guess that's why I hesitate with kickstarter-esque watches on this price point: many of the different microbrand parts seem to be coming out of the same factory. Or am I wrong there?

 

Ok, that BoR looks awesome. I'm a huge sucker for those—all class yet all pimp at the same time. And you're right, that blue dial looks of much better finishing than the price point would suggest.

Out of interest: what other watches do you own? How does this sit in your collection—as a daily beater, I presume? I wonder if I'd wear it that much, as my Oris sixty five is pretty much my go-to, pairs-easy-with-anything diver.

 

Both the Bonaire and the Aquacaphe are homages to the Blancplain Bathyscaphe. Not outright copies, but the inspiration is clear. I think the case designs are quite different, with the Meraud being taller and more modern styled than the Baltic. So nothing to suggest that they come from the same factory.

 

Please go do your own research. Baltic is a unique company. Don’t lump them in with BS micro brands.

 

I just think they are a damn good looking and solidly built watch with tastefully done vintage styling. A lot of other stuff on the market tends to look a bit cheap to my eyes but then I haven't seen them in the metal.

Mine is a proper workhorse - it's my go to watch for wet, dirty and 'hazardous to watches' work and also for holidays with the kids. I bought an Oris and a Yema around the same time so I had some choice when doing the above and so I wouldn't be tempted to reach for an expensive or vintage piece instead and I now regret both of those purchases whereas the Baltic still gets loads of wrist time and I really can't imagine it going out of favour.

I was actually slightly tempted to buy a second one when they become available again just incase something bad happens to mine but decided that was probably going a bit too far... I think anyway!

 

30 minutes - who’s buying???