The Baltic Aquascaphe MK2 Diver Resurfaces with the Option of a Date

Baltic Watches, the French indie brand founded by Etienne Malec in 2017, has transcended its status as a microbrand in less than ten years. Designed in Paris and powered by reliable, outsourced movements assembled in Besançon, France, Baltic’s success can be attributed to its retro-flavoured watches coupled with accessible prices. The flagship Aquascaphe Classic, a big crown dive watch inspired by 1950s skin divers, evolved into the enhanced and far more sophisticated Aquascaphe MK2 in 2025. Originally launched without a date, Baltic expands the offer by incorporating a discreet colour-matched date function at 6 o’clock.

The flagship retro-inspired 39mm Aquascaphe Classic was phased out after a successful seven-year stint and replaced by the MK2 last year. Having undergone a complete overhaul, the 200m water-resistant cases of the Aquascaphe MK2 are available in compact 37mm and more robust 39.5mm diameters to fit a wide range of wrist sizes.

Fitted with flat-top crown guards and a screw-down crown, the MK2 case looks sharper and is decorated with vertically brushed surfaces. To keep the overriding vintage spirit alive, the 37mm case size hits the sweet spot for retro dive watch enthusiasts; the drilled lugs – reminiscent of its tool watch origins – have been retained; and the double-domed sapphire crystal with its visual distortions mimics the original acrylic plexiglass of yesteryear divers. Both case sizes share a relatively slim profile of 12.9mm (10.7mm without the domed sapphire crystal).

The notches of the 120-click unidirectional bezel, with its scratchproof sapphire crystal insert, enhance grip, and the tolerances have been tightened. Legibility was also addressed in the 2025 upgrade, and the 0.4mm-thick applied Lumicast indices on the dial are made of solid Super-LumiNova BGW9. The 60-minute scale on the bezel and the hands are also treated with SLN BGW9.

Available in two case sizes, four dial colours, with or without a date, the MK2 caters to a wide range of tastes. To retain the visual balance and symmetry of the dial, the bevelled date window has been judiciously located at 6 o’clock (instead of the traditional position at 3 o’clock) and features a colour-matched date disc. The grey and warm silver-coloured dial options have a matte, grained finish, while the blue and green references have a rich, lacquered, glossy finish. Although the green, blue and grey dials feature matching coloured sapphire bezels, the white model stands out with its contrasting black bezel.

Again, versatility is the name of the game with a choice of interchangeable straps. Available with a high-quality FKM vulcanised rubber strap embossed with a saffiano leather pattern in matching colours, the watches can also be paired with a retro-inspired beads-of-rice steel bracelet or a flat link steel bracelet, all equipped with quick-release spring bars.

Hidden beneath the solid screwed steel caseback is the reliable Miyota 9039 automatic calibre for the no-date model and a Miyota 9015 for the date model. Both operate at 28,800vph, deliver a 42-hour power reserve and feature a stop-seconds device.

Prices, excluding tax, for both case sizes of the Aquascaphe MK2 are as follows: EUR 630 for the MK2 on a rubber strap; EUR 655 for the MK2 Date on a rubber strap; EUR 695 for the MK2 on a beads-of-rice or flat link steel bracelet; EUR 720 for the MK2 Date on a beads-of-rice or flat link steel bracelet. More information at baltic-watches.com.