The New and Upgraded Baltic Aquascaphe MK2 Dive Watch Collection

While still a relatively young watch company (launched in 2017), Baltic has established itself as one of the most active brands in the accessible field, to the point where you cannot talk about it as a micro-brand anymore. The brand’s second collection, the Aquascaphe Classic dive watch, was presented in 2018 and is its longest-standing watch. There have been multiple dial, functionality or material evolutions over the years – bronze, GMT, or even a rugged titanium model – but the base recipe has not changed for the past seven years. It was time for this vintage-inspired dive watch to receive an update… And here it is, with the reworked, upgraded, redesigned Baltic Aquascaphe MK2 collection, now including four colours and two sizes. 

The recipe of the original Aquascaphe (now named Aquascaphe Classic, to differentiate it from the Aquascaphe Dual-Crown, the Aquascaphe Titanium or the Aquascaphe GMT) was pretty simple yet effective. Basically, it was a retro-styled, no-date, big crown dive watch inspired by 1950s and 1960s icons of the genre, powered by a simple yet reliable automatic movement and reasonably priced. The case measured 39mm in diameter, and the watch was available in blue or black, with a sandwich-style dial. Well, this collection, now produced for 7 years, is being discontinued and replaced by the Aquascaphe MK2, which aims at enhancing the initial concept on almost every aspect.

Without changing the overall concept of the Aquascaphe, that of an accessible, retro-styled dive watch, Baltic has refined and upgraded almost all elements of the watch, whether on the technical side or design-wise. So let’s start with the case of this new Aquascaphe MK2, which is now available in two different sizes. Previously available in 39mm only, Baltic now offers the choice between a compact 37mm diameter (45mm lug-to-lug) or a slightly more robust 39.5mm diameter (47mm lug-to-lug). In both cases, the thickness, including the double-domed sapphire crystal, is 12.9mm, and water-resistance remains rated at 200m.

But it’s not all about the dimensions, as the case has been reworked extensively. First, it now features slightly wider lugs paired with crown guards framing a newly-designed screw-down crown, for a more robust look and better protection in case of shocks. The case is sharper overall, with better-defined surfaces, and a vertical brushing replaces the circular finishing on top of the lugs (the latter are still drilled, for a tool watch look). The unidirectional bezel, with 120 clicks, has also been reworked with a sharper notched profile matching that of the crown. It includes a sapphire crystal insert that matches the dial (except for the white version) and that now features a fully graduated 60-minute scale. All in all, it feels like a more mature, better finished watch with slightly improved diving credentials.

On to the dial of this Baltic Aquascaphe MK2, and you can see that once again the initial idea has been kept alive but upgraded. The 2018 Aquascaphe Classic was equipped with a partial sandwich dial, and this feature is now gone. The MK2 version comes with a so-called Maxi Dial, which features enlarged hour markers that are no longer printed but made out of 3D applied lumicast, in Super-LumiNova BGW9. The modern applied markers are 0.4mm in thickness, far more legible day and night, and paired with an enlarged hand-set, lumed and faceted to ease time reading. A graduated railroad minute track now frames the dial, and works in conjunction with the bezel’s scale.

The Baltic Aquascaphe MK2 collection features eight versions at launch – basically, four colours available in two sizes. You’ll have the choice between blue and green glossy dials, or grey and warm silver grained dials. All, except the silver model, are paired with a matching sapphire bezel insert. Indeed, this light-toned model has a contrasting black bezel, and all elements of the dial (hands, markers and printings) are done in black too. And yes, Baltic sticks to a no-date display.

Under the solid steel, screwed caseback is a well-known and reliable movement, the Miyota 9039. This automatic calibre, without a ghost position, runs at a 4Hz frequency and delivers a rather average 42-hour power reserve. It is a movement that’s nothing spectacular but that allows for a reasonable price and is easy to service.

Last, Baltic introduces new FKM rubber straps. Not only has the overall quality been drastically improved compared to the old tropic-style rubber straps (softer and more supple), but they also now have a saffiano leather pattern that’s both original and cool looking. As an alternative, you can still opt for a steel beads of rice or a steel flat link bracelet. All are equipped with quick-release spring bars.

Available for orders as of September 25th, 2025 and part of the permanent collection, the new Baltic Aquascaphe MK2 is priced, whatever the colour or size, at EUR 630 (excl. taxes) on a rubber strap or EUR 695 (excl. taxes) on a steel bracelet, compared to EUR 580 and EUR 660 for the previous Aquascaphe Classic models. Deliveries will start on October 13th, 2025.

For more details, please visit baltic-watches.com.