French brand Baltic have become a mainstay of the industry in recent years but that wasn’t always the case. They were once battling it out with all the other microbrands for recognition and attention and the watch that formed their foundation was the Aquascaphe dive watch. However, while the Aquascaphe formed the foundation for the brand, it was dressier, flashier models like the MR01 and HMS that pushed them into the limelight. By my reckoning, there hasn’t been a major update to the Aquascaphe since about 2022. That all changes now though with the launch of the Baltic Aquascaphe MK2.
As the MK2 model, this is a full reinvention and update of the core Aquascaphe collection. The dial has been redesigned, the case has been redesigned, the bezel has been redesigned. In fact, the only things that are the same are the water resistance rating of 200m and the use of a Miyota 9039 movement inside.
Starting with the case, it’s made from steel in a choice of 37mm or 39.5mm sizing. Both options are great choices, leaning into the popularity of vintage proportions and unisex designs at the moment. The lugs are now wider with vertically brushed finishing instead of a circular grain, giving the watch a bit more of a robust, tool watch vibe. That’s furthered by the introduction of flat-top crown guards at 3 o’clock, which have a polished finish along the edge to make them stand out from the rest of the case body.
The bezel is also sharper with a more pronounced grip to make it easier to use. It still features a sapphire insert to protect it, but the scale is now a full 60-minute display that feels even more Fifty Fathoms-esque than before. There are four colour variants in the Baltic Aquascaphe MK2 collection, three with colour matched dials and bezels in blue, green and grey as well as a white dial with black bezel edition.
Each of the dials has a matte finish with either a smooth texture in blue and green or a grained texture in white and grey. One of the major updates to them for the MK2 is the introduction of lumicast hour markers. Lumicast is a ceramic based luminescent material made with Super-LumiNova that allows the entire index to glow in low light conditions, rather than a small, applied disc in the centre. It’s much more vivid and modern than the originals. The hands have also been redesigned to be more legible with the lume now running to the very tip instead of stopping part way.
Priced at £550 it stays nice and accessible, though it’s slightly up on the £500 of the original. Very much being a modernisation and update to the collection while maintaining its market positioning, which is the point. I do really like the original Aquascaphe and this feels like an appropriate reinvention to bring it forwards after seven years.
Price and Specs:
More details at Baltic.
