Introducing: The New Baltic Aquascaphe MK2 — An Updated Retro Cult Classic In Eight Variants
Please don’t call it an upgrade; it goes beyond that. When everything is new, you cannot speak of an upgrade anymore. The new Baltic Aquascaphe MK2 comes in blue, green, warm silver, and gray, all available in a 37mm or 39.5mm steel case. Its components are technically more advanced, and the design has been revised. The result is a better and more desirable product than before — look at that exclusive, new, very dapper, and sophisticated rubber strap featuring a Saffiano leather pattern! The only thing that remained the same is the spirit of the Aquascaphe, and that’s a good thing.
Fans of the Baltic Aquascaphe, raise your hands. Here at Fratello HQ, all of us are putting our arms in the air. The Aquascaphe is Baltic’s first dive watch. Etienne Malec and two other collectors, Paul Bienstman and Clement Daniel, founded the Baltic brand eight years ago. It all started with introducing the Chronograph Bicompax 001, and in 2018, the Aquascaphe debuted. Seven years later, the brand launches the Aquascaphe MK2.
The blue and warm silver versions of the 39.5mm Baltic Aquascaphe MK2, along with the gray and green 37mm variants
The new Baltic Aquascaphe MK2
Four colors, two sizes. The Baltic Aquascaphe MK2 comes in blue, green, warm silver, and gray, all available in a 37mm or 39.5mm steel case. The new diver is still a neo-retro watch, but it has significant, dare I say, contemporary updates. The 37mm version has a 45mm lug-to-lug length, while the 39.5mm case watch has a 47mm span. Both versions share a 12.9mm thickness, including the crystal (10.7mm without it). The steel case back reveals an engraving showing essential specifications and is adorned with geometric wave patterns.
While the 37mm version is pure retro, the slightly bigger model is a tad more contemporary. The Aquascaphe MK2 also shows wider lugs than its predecessor. Sharper angles and vertical brushing replace the circular finishing on the lug tops, while the sides retain a horizontal satin effect. A polished flat crown guard, echoing the finish of the crown itself, introduces subtle contrast against the brushed surfaces. Drilled lugs further underscore its tool-watch heritage.
On the glossy blue and green dials as well as the grained warm silver and gray ones, you’ll find bold, circled Lumicast appliques filled with Super-LumiNova BGW9. The 0.4mm-thick three-dimensional “super indexes” match the modernized, faceted hour and minute hands, which are fully lumed to ensure effortless time reading at a glance and in murky conditions. Around the dial, a printed railway minute track flows seamlessly into the bezel.
Domed for your viewing pleasure
Like the original Aquascaphe, the MK2 has a double-domed sapphire crystal for your retro viewing pleasure. The unidirectional bezel features a virtually scratchproof sapphire crystal insert and a sharper finish for improved grip. Engraved detailing matches the screw-down crown. The 120-click unidirectional bezel shows a precise minute-by-minute scale for safe dive timing to a depth of 200 meters. The timing, by the way, is taken care of by an automatic Miyota 9039 caliber with a 42-hour power reserve.
The Aquascaphe MK2 debuts with five new Rubber Classic straps. Dressier counterparts to the Rubber Sport, they mimic a refined Saffiano leather pattern crafted in vulcanized FKM rubber. These ultra-versatile straps are elegantly sporty, comfortable, and unafraid of water. You can also buy the new Aquascaphe MK2 on a steel beads-of-rice or flat-link bracelet. On a Rubber Classic strap, the Aquascaphe MK2 costs €630, no matter what size or color you pick. On a beads-of-rice or flat-link bracelet, it sells for €695.
Let me know which of the eight possible configurations of the Baltic Aquascaphe MK2 is your favorite in the comments section!
