For nearly seven years, French watch brand Baltic has been producing at a luxury level that far exceeds its retail price point. We’re always excited to see them fill out their collection with new references, and today they add three new additions to the MR01, Bicompax, and HMS lines. Think of these new releases as sisters, if you will. Each reference combines black and, in a first for Baltic, gold PVD, for an elegant finish, but each has its own distinct personality.
First there is the MR01. Best described as “small but mighty,” this 36mm reference sits comfortably on either a man’s or woman’s wrist with a 9mm case height, while also being tonally perfect to wear as your dress watch. A subsidiary seconds subdial is found at 7:00, while the rest of the dial is pared-down and handsome, featuring subtle details like Breguet numerals and leaf hands. The MR01 is powered by a Hangzhou CAL5000a automatic movement, wound via a micro rotor, which can be viewed through the exhibition caseback.
Next up is the black-and-gold addition to the Bicompax line-up. Inspired by watches of the 1940’s, the Bicompax 02 case comes in at a comfortable 38mm. Given the time period of its reference point, it’s no wonder that much of this design was inspired by the Art Deco period. The design features a brushed sector housing the hour-markers, along with two subdials sporting a stylish azurage finish. The remaining dial is polished, introducing a subtle contrast to the overall look. Adding to its sophistication, the leaf-shaped hour and minute hands showcase a graceful, tapering silhouette, enhancing the watch’s overall charm. The watch is manually wound and runs on a Seagull ST1901 movement, with a 42-hour reserve.
The HMS 02 is very much a companion piece to the Bicompax 02, originating during the same early period in the brand’s history, but is slightly dressier and has a cleaner, more formal appearance. Similarly inspired by the Art Deco period, the elements mentioned above apply here as well. The dial is inherently cleaner, being time only, with minimal decoration and an elegantly polished and applied set of hour markers. The HMS 02 is a 38mm automatic watch that runs on an Miyota 8315 movement, promising an outstanding 60-hour power reserve.
All three watches, as seen in these images, come with a black saffiano leather strap that underscores the old-school, elegant charm of this collection. The MR01, Bicompax 02, and HMS 02 are all available now via Baltic’s website. The HMS 02 is priced at €385, the Bicompax 02 is €565, and the MR01 has a list price of €545. Baltic
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