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Editor’s Note: Watches & Wonders (formerly SIHH) has moved online and Baselworld 2020 is canceled, but that hasn’t stopped watch brands large and small from debuting their new wares. Stay on top of this year’s best new watch releases here.
French boutique watchmaker Baltic knows how to make a modern watch that draws on classic horological tropes without seeming dated or too much like an homage: Their Bicompoax 001 is a perfect 21st-century take on a mid-20th century chronograph, while their HMS 001 is an ideal 2017 reference to a 1940s three-hander — but not any one three-hander in particular.
That’s why we’re so excited when, in late 2018, Baltic launched the Aquascaphe, its take on a classic 1960s dive watch. Well-proportioned at 39mm wide by 12mm tall (including the crystal) and available on either a Tropic-style rubber strap or a steel beads of rice bracelet, the Aquascaphe was an instant hit, having been restocked at least once since its debut. A special version was even auctioned off last year to support clean oceans and build awareness around the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Well, we have some good news for you. If you’ve been hankering for a bronze watch but maybe can’t quite stomach the price of a Bronzo from Panerai, you’ll be thrilled to know that Baltic is releasing the Aquascaphe in everyone’s favorite not-quite-gold-but-looks-kinda-like-it-and-turns-funky-colors metal.
Housed in a polished bronze case measuring the original’s 39mm x 12mm, the new bronze Aquascaphe features a beautiful blue sunray dial with Super-LumiNova-coated indices and hands , a double-domed sapphire crystal, a unidirectional bronze dive bezel and 200m of water resistance. (The bronze model also features crown guards, which were not present on the original Aquascaphe case.) Powered by the automatic Miyota 9039 movement, it ships on a “night blue” soft rubber strap with bronze buckle. The first 300 pieces sold will be numbered, with a price of ~$685 (without VAT), after which the watch will become a regular feature in the Baltic collection.
Hop over to Baltic’s site to nab this bronze beauty beginning at 10am EST today!
