I’ve noticed recently that the diving GMT watch is gaining a lot of traction, and it makes sense. At the end of the day, a GMT watch is designed to be taken adventuring across different time zones and what better genre of timepiece to strap on for said adventure than a robust and water resistant dive watch.
Baltic Aquascaphe GMT Orange - Credit WatchGecko
There are a number of examples already on the market; the TUDOR Black Bay GMT, Longines HydroConquest GMT and the Oris Aquis GMT are just some of them. But these are watches pushing into the mid-range price bracket and while I’m certainly not saying these watches are overpriced, there is one brand that has proved you can combine both dive functionality and GMT complication for less than €1,000. As you’ve probably guessed from the title of this article, we’re talking about the Baltic Aquascaphe GMT.
Baltic has a pretty special success story. It all began in 2017 when founder Etienne Malec began a Kickstarter campaign to create some vintage inspired watches. It wasn’t long before the company raised over €500,000 from over 1,000 backers and was able to launch the time-only HMS 001 and the Bicompax 001.
Baltic Aquascaphe GMT Orange - Credit WatchGecko
A year later, the Baltic Aquascaphe watch was launched. The Aquascaphe was, and still is, Baltic’s first and only vintage diver’s watch. It’s a design that has paved the way for Baltic’s success and ultimately, the GMT variation we’re looking at today. I believe its this watch that has turned the microbrand into a serious contender in the world of horology.
While the time-only Aquascaphe is an obvious classic, the GMT iteration is, to me, the more handsome and practical design. It not only marks the first timepiece from Baltic to house a Swiss made movement, but it arrives in some stunning colourways with two contrasting shades elected for the bezel.
Alright, enough chit-chat, let’s look at the Baltic Aquascaphe GMT Orange watch in more detail…
The Case
Baltic Aquascaphe GMT Orange - Credit WatchGecko
One thing I’ve always appreciated from Baltic is their ability to be restrained with case sizing. As someone with smallish wrists (five-and-a-half inches), it’s not always easy to find watches, especially those in the diver’s or GMT genres, to look well suited on my arm. Baltic, however, have mastered the art of compact case dimensions and I think this largely falls to their vintage design inspiration.
The Baltic Aquascaphe GMT Orange watch is one of the same, offering a case measuring to 39mm wide with a 47mm lug-to-lug width. Baltic have also done well with the case height which falls to 13mm tall when you include the domed sapphire crystal glass. The faceted sides of the case assist in making the case appear lower on the wrist as do the slightly angled lugs.
Baltic Aquascaphe GMT Orange on ZULUDIVER Mayday Regatta Sailcloth Divers Watch Strap - Orange. Credit: WatchGecko.
The stainless steel case is predominantly brushed and comes topped by a 24 click bidirectional rotating bezel. The bezel is a little thinner than what you typically find on most modern-day divers and GMT watches, but again it just adds to the design’s retro personality and allows for a wider view of the dial below.
There are currently three colourways for the bezel’s sapphire crystal insert: grey and navy blue, navy and turquoise green and today’s example, navy and orange. All three are extremely good-looking but my favourite has to be the Baltic Aquascaphe GMT Orange watch. It’s an almost muted take on the popular ‘Pepsi’ bezel. Each iteration is printed with a white 24 hour scale decorated with glow in the dark lume.
Baltic Aquascaphe GMT Orange - Credit WatchGecko
The Baltic Aquascaphe GMT Orange watch arrives with a screwed down crown offering a 100 metre water resistant rating and a matching screw down case back. I was very surprised by the engraving included on the case back here. Decoration on case backs is one of those things most watchmaker’s leave bare to keep the price low but Baltic have made the effort and have included an engraving of the globe and the different time zones on earth.
The Dial
Baltic Aquascaphe GMT Orange. Credit: Guest Author.
Keeping on theme with the timeless, vintage-inspired aesthetic, the dial of the Baltic Aquascaphe GMT Orange watch is black with a smooth, glossy finish. Printed indices and a single 12 o’clock marker sit along the circumference of the display circling three polished steel hands for the hours, minutes, seconds, and GMT.
A date window is positioned at 6 o’clock to keep everything symmetrical and clean and a touch of orange is added to the GMT hand and Aquascaphe printing to match the bezel. Baltic haven’t skipped on their use of Superluminova either. Lume covers every hour marker, all four hands and every numeral on the bidirectional rotating bezel. It offers a decent level of readability at night, glowing green across the board.
Baltic Aquascaphe GMT Orange. Credit: WatchGecko.
The Movement
The most notable improvement for the Baltic Aquascaphe GMT compared to its time-only predecessor is its movement. Originally, a Japanese-made Miyota calibre was utilised but now the more complicated Swiss made Soprod C125 calibre has taken its place. It arrives with stop seconds, a 42-hour power reserve and of course, the additional GMT hand.
Baltic Aquascaphe GMT Orange. Credit: Guest Author.
To use the GMT complication, you pull out the crown. The first position winds the movement while the second allows you to change the GMT hand when rotating clockwise and the date when turning counterclockwise. The third and final position stops the seconds hand and allows you to set the hours and minutes. This makes the Baltic Aquascaphe GMT an office GMT rather than a “true” GMT, but that’s exactly what you’d expect at this price point.
Baltic Aquascaphe GMT Orange - Credit Guest Author
The Strap
The Baltic Aquascaphe GMT Orange watch I received arrived on a comfortable and lightweight black Tropic rubber strap. It definitely adds to the design’s vintage aesthetic and gives it a casual, laid-back feel. If you want something a little dressier, the model does also come on two metal bracelet options – the beads-of-rice variation being my personal preference. The watch also has drilled lugs so strap swapping to other 20mm straps is made easy.
Baltic Aquascaphe GMT Orange on Classic Highley Genuine Leather Watch Strap - Chocolate Brown. Credit: WatchGecko.
Price & Availability
The Baltic Aquascaphe GMT Orange watch is on the top end of the Parisian brand’s price spectrum retailing for €920, but ultimately, this is still a fantastically affordable watch with some great spec. For under €1,000, you get sapphire crystal glass, a Swiss made GMT movement and a truly handsome vintage diver’s aesthetic.
It’s another watch that, for me, proves Baltic as one of the better microbrands out there, and I certainly hope they continue to launch more incredible releases like this and in turn get more attention and praise.
Baltic Aquascaphe GMT Orange - Credit WatchGecko
Technical Specifications:
- Brand: Baltic
- Model: Aquascaphe GMT
- Price: €920
- Material: Stainless steel
- Movement: Automatic SOPROD C125 GMT
- Complications: Hours, minutes, seconds, date GMT
- Dial: Glossy back
- Size: 39mm wide,13mm thick
- When the reviewer would personally wear it: On an adventurous trip where I needed GMT complication and a robust, reliable design
- A friend we’d recommend it to first: Someone looking for an affordable, high-quality GMT watch
- Best characteristics of the watch: I love the entire retro aesthetic; it’s very well executed.
- The worst characteristics of the watch: I have nothing bad to say
