The Baltic Aquascaphe Dual-Crown 5th Anniversary Limited Edition

It’s been quite a road for Baltic in the past 5 years. Indeed, in 2017, a young Frenchman and watch enthusiast named Etienne Malec decided to launch his own watch brand by using Kickstarter. And what a kick that campaign had been. Built around his passion for vintage sports watches, Etienne introduced these two 1940s-inspired models and found success. He will subsequently launch multiple models, such as the Aquascaphe Diver, a retro-styled dive watch, or recently the MR01, an accessible Calatrava-inspired watch. For the brand’s fifth anniversary, Baltic releases a limited edition based on its boldest watch, the Aquascaphe Dual-Crown, which has been infused with a fair dosage of colours. 

We’ve covered the topic of the brand’s evolution in a recent interview with Etienne Malec. From the early days when the watches were sold through a Kickstarter campaign to the recent explosion of demand regarding the MR01 collection, or even the brand’s presence at a major event like Only Watch, there’s no denying the strong work done by Etienne and his teams to make Baltic a brand to follow. They’ve done a lot in the past 5 years and for this reason, decided to release a special watch that reflects the youth of the brand, with clear 1990s inspirations, in the name of the Baltic Aquascaphe Dual-Crown 5th Anniversary.

As you’ve guessed, this limited edition model to commemorate half a decade of Baltic is based on the brand’s most modern-looking diver, the Aquascaphe Dual-Crown. Yet, compared to the classic design and colour scheme of the models in the permanent collection, this 5th Anniversary edition is all about streetwear and fun, with bright, fun and wacky colours. Over the traditional glossy black dial, you’ll find 3 bold contrasting colours, each chosen by Etienne, Paul and Clément (the men behind the brand), resulting in a sporty, summer-like look.

Back to basics first. The Baltic Aquascaphe Dual-Crown 5th Anniversary is based on this watch from the permanent collection, meaning a dive watch with a compressor-like design, two crowns including one to actuate an internal rotating bezel and an overall instrumental design. The steel case measures a reasonable 39mm diameter, with a height of 11.9mm and a L2L measurement of 47mm. It’s well equipped too, with a screw-down crown, a domed sapphire crystal on top and a 200m water-resistance. The case is mostly brushed, with polished bevels on the sides of the lugs and periphery of the bezel. But the most noticeable element is the way the bezel has been finished, with a so-called “tourbillon brushed” surface that gives this model a dynamic look.

The dial of the Baltic Aquascaphe Dual-Crown 5th Anniversary also feels classic at first, with its black glossy base and painted markers in white luminescent paint. But as said, this limited edition is all about colours – 3 of them to be precise. First, turquoise is used to outline the hour markers and to accentuate the minute hand. Then, purple has been applied to the first 20-minute segment of the rotating bezel. Last, the seconds hand sees its tip coloured in bright orange. The two main colours are also used on the logos at 6 o’clock. The layout remains otherwise classic with a time-only display. All elements are coated in Super-LumiNova, with green or blue emissions depending on the indications.

No surprises inside, as we find back the reliable Miyota 9039 automatic movement. A deliberate choice from the brand, this Japanese movement allows for an accessible price yet with a solid track record, making sure the watches will be long-lasting and easy to service. The movement is hidden under a steel caseback that is decorated for the occasion with specific engravings and the individual number of the watch.

Complementing the youthful and colourful dial, the Aquascaphe Dual-Crown 5th Anniversary is delivered with two tropic-like rubber straps, one in purple, and one in turquoise. The watch will be delivered in a new packaging designed for this set.

Availability & Price

The Baltic Aquascaphe Dual-Crown 5th Anniversary will be a limited edition of 200 pieces. This model will never be reproduced afterwards. It will be priced at EUR 650 before taxes and can be ordered directly from the brand’s website at baltic-watches.com.