Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The New Balticus Moonfish Dive Watch
An intriguing, capable diver from a burgeoning Polish microbrand.
Balticus is a growing Polish microbrand with a healthy portfolio of affordable luxury watches for men and women. It’s no stranger to diving watches, and we were impressed with the inaugural Automatic Bronze series from 2017 with a super compressor style. The latest limited-edition collection is the Moonfish diver, with six dial colours and unique design elements. Designed by Mateusz Przystał, a young yet accomplished designer who is the eye behind most Balticus watches, the Moonfish has a stylish bezel that draws you in with its knurled pattern. The refined aesthetic and upgraded materials elevate this above a crowded field, but for a price.
The case is well-sized at 40mm in diameter, and a flat AR sapphire crystal protects the dial. Balticus went with 904L stainless steel for the case and bracelet, a higher grade than 316L and a favourite of Rolex (known as Oystersteel). The rotating bezel is the centrepiece with its unique knurling that extends from the outer edge to the top surface, creating a fluted bezel vibe. Of course, the main surface is flat for conventional diver markings, and there’s a detailed 20-minute scale with additional Arabic numerals every 10 minutes. The numerals, marks and triangle at 12 o’clock are filled with Super-LumiNova X1, as is the logo on the guarded crown. The bezel is silver with radial brushing on all models. A three-link, oyster-style bracelet with polished centre links really completes the package and comes with a micro-adjusting clasp. The caseback is steel with a lunar-type engraving, and water-resistance is rated at 200 metres.
As mentioned, there are six dial colours to choose from and most feature a cool radial brushed finish (the orange has a matte finish). The colours are blue, grey, navy, orange, black and green. The grey dial harmoniously blends with the case, while the other colours create a nice contrast. The hour and minute hands and all applied indices have Super-LumiNova X1 inserts for excellent nighttime visibility. A date window tastefully sits at 3 o’clock. A colour-matching angled flange has the minute track and creates a nice sense of depth between the dial and the crystal.
Powering the Moonfish is the Miyota 9015 automatic, a reliable workhorse that’s used in several other Balticus collections. It has 24 jewels and beats at 28,800vph (4Hz) with a 42-hour power reserve. Functions include central hours, minutes, hacking seconds and the date. Accuracy is rated at -10/+30 seconds per day, which is competitive with comparable Swiss movements.
The Balticus Moonfish comes with a two-year warranty and retails for EUR 1,305.26 (with an additional shipping charge). That’s high for a Miyota-powered watch of this kind, but the 904L stainless steel, detailed bezel and nice depth rating somewhat make up for it. A price under EUR 1,000 would be a touch more palatable.
For more information and to place an order, please visit the Balticus-watches website.
2 responses
Handsome watch. Too expensive for what it is.
A dive watch with a minute hand like a needle. Hello. Probably bad lume? As usual no lume shot. Look at the tiny lume dot of the seconds hand. Watches like these from micro brands with a Miyota movement cost much less. A bit ridiculous the whole thing and pretty sure a flop.
You get a chronometer certified Formex Reef with an ETA movement and good lume for CHF 1700.00.