Baltic Hermétique Summer Collection – A Field Watch That Finally Took a Holiday

Let’s get one thing out of the way: if you like your watches grayscale, grim-faced, and historically accurate down to the last rivet, you might want to look away. This one’s not for you. This one showed up wearing pink, carrying a beach towel, and asking what time happy hour starts.

The new Baltic Hermétique Summer Collection takes the brand’s handsome, no-nonsense field watch and tosses it headfirst into a pool party. What we get is a refreshing burst of colour (four of them, to be exact), paired with the solid specs and vintage charm Baltic is known for. It’s not just a watch you wear on vacation. It feels like a watch that is on vacation.

Beneath the sunny exterior, this is the same 37mm Hermétique Tourer we’ve seen before. The case is stainless steel, brushed on the top, polished on the bezel, and shaped with enough curve to hug the wrist nicely. 46mm lug-to-lug, 10.8mm thick, and it fits like a well-worn t-shirt: not tight, not loose, just right.

Now, the real twist, and one of my favourite quirks, is the recessed crown. It’s not hiding, exactly, but it tucks in so neatly that you almost forget it’s there. It keeps the case looking smooth and symmetrical, and more importantly, it doesn’t poke you while you’re trying to live your life. Yes, it’s a little finicky to wind. But if that’s your biggest problem while wearing this watch, congratulations - you’re probably having a great day.

It’s rated to 150 metres of water resistance, which is just enough to make it feel like you could jump into the ocean with it. Whether you actually do is between you and your holiday plans.

The dial is front and center here, and it’s not exactly blending in. You’ve got four colours to choose from - turquoise, yellow, orange, or pink - and every one of them is bold, glossy, and full of energy. They’re not the kind of colours that fade into the background.

I tried the turquoise version, and it’s glorious. It walks a fine line between playful and retro, like something you'd see on a postcard from the '70s. The shine on the dial jumps out at you. It’s meant to stand out. Around the outside, a black chapter ring keeps things visually grounded. The raised indices are fully lumed, as are the syringe-style hands and that adorable little lollipop on the seconds hand. In the dark, the lume glows a cool blue that feels a bit futuristic. It’s clear, easy to read, and does exactly what you want it to - tell the time without making you squint.

There’s no date window, and honestly, thank you Baltic for that. A date would have been like wearing socks with sandals - technically fine, but kind of missing the point.

The watch runs on a Miyota 9039, a Japanese automatic movement with no date, 42 hours of power reserve, and a heartbeat of 28,800 vibrations per hour. It’s not flashy, but it’s slim, it’s sturdy, and it just works.

People mention rotor noise with this movement, but in daily wear, I didn’t hear anything worth mentioning.

The rubber strap is colour-matched to the dial and feels better than expected - soft, flexible, and easy to swap thanks to quick-release spring bars. It has that vintage Tropic look, but without the usual stiffness. Some people have pointed out that the strap and dial don’t always match perfectly in certain lighting, but in daylight, the combo really works.

And this is where the fun really begins. With a 20mm lug width and drilled lugs, the Hermétique Summer is perfect for strap changes. Whether you're pairing it with a classic nylon, a colourful rubber strap, or something more refined like a beads-of-rice bracelet, the case design makes swapping quick and effortless. It's the kind of watch that encourages experimenting - and gives new life to the straps already in your collection.

Speaking of, we paired it with a few tried and true WatchGecko straps and the results speak for themselves…

The Baltic Hermétique Summer Collection on the Mosaic CTS Rubber is honestly one of those pairings that just works straight away. The colour match is spot on and it gives the whole setup a relaxed, summery feel. The mosaic texture adds a bit of personality without clashing with the dial, and because it’s cut-to-size, you get a super clean fit around the wrist. It’s comfortable too, with just the right amount of flexibility, so it wears light even on hotter days

The Vintage Style Perforated Rubber looks almost identical to the strap Baltic supplies with the Hermétique Summer — same retro racing vibe, same taper, same punchy good looks. If you missed out on a colour or just want a second option without swapping back and forth, this one’s a no-brainer. It’s soft straight out of the box, with that classic vented design that suits the Hermétique’s mid-century case shape perfectly. You get the look of the OEM strap, but with a quick-release spring bar for easier changes and a slightly more flexible feel on the wrist.

For something a bit more rugged, the Ridge British Military Strap is a great match for the Hermétique Summer. It keeps the playful feel of the watch but adds a bit of everyday toughness — think lightweight, breathable, and ready for anything. The colour options line up surprisingly well with the dial tones too, especially the brighter shades. You get that familiar single-pass military style with upgraded hardware and a softer nylon that wears comfortably all day. It’s a strap that feels casual but considered, and it suits the Hermétique’s easygoing, summer-ready vibe down to the ground.

Who is this watch for? It’s made for someone who actually wants to wear their watch, not just keep it in a box. Someone who enjoys a bit of colour without feeling the need to justify it. And maybe someone who spends more time picking straps than checking accuracy specs. It’s for collectors who already own five serious watches and want one that’s just plain fun. And it’s probably for someone who secretly wishes more watch brands had a sense of humour.

At €550 on rubber or €615 on bracelet (before tax), you’re getting quality finishing, 150m WR, a solid mechanical movement, and a dial that will not go unnoticed. That’s a pretty decent deal for something that might become your most-worn summer watch - whether you planned for it or not.

The Baltic Hermétique Summer Collection isn’t trying to be a milestone piece in your collection. It’s trying to be the one that gets wrist time when the weather’s hot, when life feels simpler, and the only thing you’re timing is how long it takes to melt your ice cream. It’s not “just a field watch in bright colours.” It’s a reminder that watches can still be joyful.

Baltic didn’t reinvent the wheel here. They just painted it pink, gave it lume, and made sure it could swim. And frankly, I’m very glad they did.