Baltic is expanding their MKII Aquascaphe collection this week to include a date complication, providing enthusiasts with the option to select the look and feature set that fits their needs. This move effectively doubles the size of the collection, with all dial colors and both 37mm and 29.5mm case options now welcoming the option to include a date. It’s a welcome addition to one of the French brand’s most popular collections, and will undoubtedly open the watch to a new cohort of buyers.
The debate over the date complication is ceaseless, and with no clear and correct answer other than to offer buyers the option for either configuration. The date is of course the most practical complication to have on a watch, but the appeal of a clean, symmetrical design unhindered by an unsightly aperture is also difficult to overcome. With the Aquascaphe MK2, Baltic has found a nice compromise by placing the date at six o’clock on the dial, retaining symmetry and keeping any distraction from the design to a minimum.
In placing a date at the bottom of the dial, one of the triangular hour makers has been removed, leaving just two opposite one another at three and nine o’clock, which shifts the vibe of the design ever so slightly. Further, the aperture itself sits a bit higher up into the dial on the 39.5mm option, compared to the more nested design within the dial of the 37mm size. I think it works well either way, though I’d personally still be partial to a dateless option. That said, this is a great daily wear candidate, and as such the date option makes a good deal of sense.
The addition of a date means a new movement option, which is an automatic Miyota 9015. Mercifully, the overall case thickness remains unchanged at 12.9mm, which is accentuated only by the highly domed crystal (without which, the watch would measure 10.7mm in thickness). It’s not the fanciest of movement choices, but then it doesn’t really need to be, sitting behind a closed caseback with a 200 meter depth rating. It also keeps the price well under $1,000 for all options.
I think Baltic has made a wise decision to offer the date across the entire collection rather than creating a separate section with a different design to accommodate. This provides the most possible options for buyers to choose from, and sets a good example for other brands to follow. The new Aquascaphe design remains compelling and accessible, with the date adding just $28 to the final price, for a total of $746.70 (at today’s conversion rate). The new Aquascaphe MK2 Date is available for purchase now, with deliveries expected to begin next month. Baltic
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