IntroducingBaltic's Dive Watch Gets A Facelift With The Aquascaphe MK2

Baltic's Aquascaphe Classic is the brand's longest-standing model, now seven years into its product cycle and still one of the best options for someone looking for an affordable, vintage-inspired diver. But any good product eventually needs a refresh, and, judging by the specs and photos, Baltic has done a strong job with the new Baltic Aquascaphe MK2, now sized in a more vintage-oriented 37mm and a more modern 39.5mm by 12.9mm, and the new release looks a bit more grown-up and polished in all the right ways.

The Aquascaphe MK2 is offered with blue and green dials with a glossy finish or grey and warm silver with a grained finish, behind a double dome sapphire crystal with internal anti-reflective coating, and surrounded by a unidirectional 120-click sapphire bezel. Gone are the warm colors of gold on the dial's lume and bezel indication. But that facelift goes deeper. 

Instead of featuring a sandwich dial at 3, 6, and 9, the hour markers now feature three-dimensional Super-LumiNova BGW9 lume, which stand proud of the dial. The hands are also updated and somewhat more pronounced. The minute track is a printed chapter ring with 5-minute intervals.

The case, as mentioned, comes in two sizes, which adds a good bit of variety to the collection. The case is 316L stainless steel with a solid caseback displaying geometrical wave shapes and with 200m water resistance. The case also has a 20mm lug width and drilled lugs. Inside the case is the Miyota 9039 automatic movement with hours, minutes, and seconds (with hacking) and a 42-hour power reserve.

All watches come with an option of FKM rubber tropical-style straps, stainless steel beads of rice, or stainless steel flat-link bracelets. The retail price for the rubber is €630, and for the bracelet, it's €695. Watches will be available for order starting on September 25.

This looks like a really nice update to a classic from Baltic. While I haven't yet seen it in the metal, I think that as Baltic's lineup has gotten stronger and more recent versions of Aquascaphe, like the titanium model, have felt a bit more modern in their design language, it's shown that it was good timing for an update from the brand. 

The Aquascaphe Classic still looks great and plays to a specific era of vintage-inspired watches. But I prefer this new look. The finishing on the dial and three-dimensional lume (similar to what you find on the brand's Hermetique), along with the addition of crown guards, strike an outstanding balance between practical design for modern use and a touch of vintage aesthetic.

Brand: Baltic
Model: Aquascaphe MK2

Diameter: 37mm or 39.5mm
Thickness: 12.9mm
Case Material: Stainless steel 316L
Dial Color: Blue and green (glossy finish) or grey and warm silver (grained finish)
Indexes: Applied and printed
Lume: Super-LumiNova® BGW9
Water Resistance: 200m
Strap/Bracelet: Rubber Classic strap in vulcanized rubber (FKM), or steel beads of rice bracelet, or steel flat link bracelet

Caliber: Miyota 9039
Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds
Power Reserve: 42 hours
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 vph
Jewels: 24
Chronometer Certified: No
Additional Details: Unidirectional 120-click sapphire bezel, double dome sapphire crystal, internal anti-reflective coating

Price: €630 on rubber strap; €695 on bracelet
Availability: September 25 at 10 am ET, with deliveries starting October 6
Limited Edition: No

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