Baltic Aquascaphe MK2

The evolution of a product is a critical marker for any brand. It signifies growth, a response to feedback, and an accumulation of experience. For French watch brand Baltic, which has rapidly carved out a significant space in the microbrand world since its inception, the introduction of the Aquascaphe MK2 represents just such a moment. This isn't merely a refresh of their most recognizable model; it's a comprehensive rework, a top-to-bottom reevaluation of the watch that established their reputation. The result is a more refined, technically advanced, and versatile collection that builds upon the solid foundation of the original while looking firmly toward the future of the brand's design language.



Baltic's journey began with a clear vision: to create timepieces inspired by the golden era of watch design, particularly the utilitarian and aesthetically clean watches of the mid-20th century. Founder Etienne Malec launched the brand with a successful Kickstarter campaign, tapping into a growing community of enthusiasts who appreciated vintage dimensions and design cues but demanded the reliability and accessibility of modern manufacturing. This approach, combining a strong aesthetic identity with a direct-to-consumer model, allowed Baltic to foster a dedicated following. The brand became known for its thoughtful designs, quality assembly in France, and a value proposition that was difficult for many larger, established brands to match.



The original Aquascaphe was a cornerstone of Baltic's early success. It distilled the essence of a 1950s or 1960s skin diver into a contemporary package. It featured a clean, legible dial, a slim profile, a sapphire bezel insert, and a reliable automatic movement. It was praised for its proportions, its wearability, and its overall execution. The watch wasn't trying to reinvent the dive watch; instead, it aimed to perfect a classic formula and make it available to a broader audience. This combination of vintage charm and modern specifications proved to be a winning strategy, making the Aquascaphe a go-to recommendation for anyone seeking a stylish and capable dive watch without an exorbitant price tag.



After seven years of producing the original model and expanding its catalog with other successful releases, Baltic has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and design experience. This hindsight is the driving force behind the Aquascaphe MK2. It is not an update for the sake of an update but a deliberate enhancement of every single component. The brand has taken lessons learned from special projects like the robust Aquascaphe x Vortex Swim and the field-ready Hermétique Tourer, infusing the DNA of its core diver with new levels of refinement and capability. The goal was clear: to preserve the spirit of the original while elevating the watch to a new standard of quality and design.



One of the most significant changes introduced with the MK2 is the availability of two distinct case sizes: 39.5mm and 37mm. This decision immediately broadens the watch's appeal, acknowledging that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work for the diverse tastes and wrist sizes of today's watch buyers. The 39.5mm version stands as the direct descendant of the original, offering a contemporary presence that feels substantial yet comfortable for a modern dive watch. It maintains a familiar feel while incorporating all the new design updates.



The introduction of the 37mm case, however, is a masterstroke. This size directly channels the smaller, more compact dimensions of the vintage dive watches that inspired the Aquascaphe in the first place. For enthusiasts with smaller wrists or those who simply prefer a more classic, understated profile, the 37mm option is a welcome addition. It provides the same robust specifications and design integrity in a package that wears with exceptional comfort and discretion. By offering both, Baltic ensures that the Aquascaphe MK2 is not just a watch for some, but a watch for everyone.



The case itself has undergone a complete redesign. While the silhouette is still recognizably Aquascaphe, the details betray a more mature and sophisticated approach to finishing and geometry. The lugs are now wider, and the case features new flat-top crown guards, creating a more assertive and tool-like wrist presence. The finishing has also been elevated; the previous circular brushing on top of the lugs has been replaced with a crisp vertical brush, which contrasts sharply with the horizontal brushing along the case sides. This interplay of directional brushing adds a dynamic quality to the case, catching the light in a more interesting way.



Furthering this enhanced finishing, the flat tops of the crown guards are polished to a mirror shine, matching the polished finish of the screw-down crown and providing a point of bright contrast against the otherwise brushed surfaces. This meticulous attention to detail extends to the inclusion of drilled lugs, a practical feature rooted in the tool-watch origins of the genre, allowing for quick and easy strap changes without the risk of scratching the case. The overall thickness is a manageable 12.9mm, which includes the heavily domed crystal, ensuring the watch remains wearable in a variety of situations.



A key to the Aquascaphe's durability is its extensive use of sapphire, one of the hardest materials on Earth. The MK2 continues this tradition, featuring a double-domed sapphire crystal that is virtually scratch-proof. This type of crystal not only provides exceptional clarity, aided by an internal anti-reflective coating, but also creates pleasing visual distortions around the edge of the dial, a characteristic beloved in vintage acrylic crystals. This provides the old-school look without any of the associated fragility.



The bezel insert is also crafted from sapphire, ensuring that the entire forward-facing surface of the watch is highly resistant to scratches and daily wear. The bezel's edge has been redesigned with a sharper, more defined knurling that improves grip, making it easier to operate, especially with wet hands or gloves. The action is a crisp, 120-click unidirectional rotation, allowing for the precise measurement of elapsed time, a critical function for any true dive watch. The minute-by-minute scale is clearly marked, reinforcing its functional purpose.



The dial of the MK2 has been completely overhauled with a focus on maximizing legibility, a concept Baltic refers to as its "Maxi Dial." The most striking update is the use of circled "lumicast" appliques for the hour markers. These are not simply painted-on lume plots; they are three-dimensional blocks of Super-LumiNova BGW9, standing 0.4mm proud of the glossy dial surface. These "super indexes" add a profound sense of depth and, more importantly, hold a significant charge of luminescent material, ensuring bright and long-lasting visibility in low-light conditions.



To complement these powerful new indexes, the handset has been modernized. The hands are now faceted, allowing them to catch and reflect light from multiple angles, which improves readability at a glance. They too are filled with a generous application of Super-LumiNova. Encircling the dial is a printed railway track for the minutes, providing a precise scale that creates a smooth visual transition from the main dial to the rotating bezel. This entire arrangement is designed for one purpose: to deliver the time clearly and unambiguously, day or night.



The Aquascaphe MK2 is launching with a new palette of four distinct dial colors, each with a glossy finish that adds a sense of depth. The blue variant is a rich, deep navy that can appear almost black in low light but comes alive with a vibrant blue hue under direct light. The green option is a sophisticated, earthy tone, reminiscent of a dark forest green, offering a subtle and versatile alternative to the more common dive watch colors.



The grey dial provides a cool, monochromatic look. It's a slate-like, industrial grey that pairs perfectly with the stainless steel of the case, creating a cohesive and modern aesthetic. Perhaps the most distinctive of the new offerings is the warm silver dial. This color is a creamy, off-white with a slight metallic sheen, providing a high-contrast look against the black bezel. It evokes the feeling of a sun-bleached tropical dial and offers a unique style that stands apart from its more traditional counterparts.



Powering the Aquascaphe MK2 is the Japanese Miyota 9039 automatic movement. This caliber is a well-regarded workhorse, known for its reliability and slim profile. It operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), which allows for a smooth sweep of the seconds hand. The movement features a stop-second, or "hacking," function, allowing the user to set the time with precision. With a power reserve of approximately 42 hours, it's a robust and dependable engine for a watch designed for daily wear and adventure. The choice of a no-date movement maintains the clean, symmetrical aesthetic of the dial, staying true to the minimalist design principles of early dive watches.



Baltic has also introduced a new strap option to accompany the MK2 launch: the Rubber Classic strap. Made from high-quality vulcanized FKM rubber, these straps are incredibly durable, comfortable, and completely waterproof. What sets them apart is the finely textured saffiano leather pattern on the surface. This gives the strap a more refined and dressed-up appearance than a typical smooth or Tropic-style rubber strap, making it a versatile companion that works just as well out of the water. The watch is also available with Baltic's popular steel Beads of Rice or Flat Link bracelets, and the 20mm lug width ensures compatibility with a vast aftermarket of straps.



The utilitarian nature of the Aquascaphe MK2 is reinforced by its solid, screw-down caseback. This feature, along with the screw-down crown, is essential to achieving the watch's 200-meter (20 ATM) water resistance rating. The caseback is engraved with essential technical information and a new design of geometric waves, blending modern graphic design with a classic maritime theme. This level of water resistance is more than sufficient for recreational diving, swimming, and any other water-based activity, confirming that the Aquascaphe is not just a dive-style watch but a genuinely capable tool.



The overall proportions of the watch, in either size, have been carefully considered for maximum wearability. The 39.5mm version has a lug-to-lug distance of 47mm, while the 37mm version measures 45mm lug-to-lug. These relatively compact spans, combined with lugs that curve down to hug the wrist, ensure a comfortable and secure fit for a wide range of people. The balance of diameter, thickness, and length creates a watch that has presence without being cumbersome.



In the Aquascaphe MK2, Baltic has successfully executed a difficult task: improving upon an icon without losing the essence of what made it special. Every change feels purposeful and considered, from the wider range of sizes and colors to the enhanced finishing and superior dial components. It represents a maturation of the brand's core design, showcasing a deeper understanding of materials, finishing, and the subtle details that elevate a good watch to a great one. It remains an ode to the past but is now an even more capable and desirable vision of the future.



The new Baltic Aquascaphe MK2 collection is set to launch on Thursday, September 25th, at 4 pm Paris time, and will be available directly from the brand's website and in their showrooms. Priced at €630.00, the watch continues to represent an exceptional value proposition in the market. It offers a level of design refinement, material quality, and technical specification that is often found in watches at a much higher price point, reaffirming Baltic's commitment to making high-quality, beautifully designed watches accessible to the enthusiast community.



Case: Stainless steel 316L case available in 37mm or 39.5mm. Lug to lug is 45mm (37mm case) or 47mm (39.5mm case), thickness is 12.9mm, lug width is 20mm. Features a double dome sapphire crystal, 120-click unidirectional sapphire bezel, screw-down crown, and 200m water resistance.

Movement: Miyota 9039 automatic movement with a 42-hour power reserve and a stop-second function.

Dial: Glossy finish available in blue, green, grey, and warm silver. Features "lumicast" 3D appliques and hands filled with Super-LumiNova BGW9.

Strap: Available on a Rubber Classic strap in vulcanized FKM rubber, a steel Beads of Rice bracelet, or a steel Flat Link bracelet.

Price: €630.00

Notes: The Aquascaphe MK2 is a significant update, now offered in two case sizes to fit a wider range of wrists. The dial features new 0.4mm-thick 3D lumicast indexes for enhanced legibility and depth.