After 7 Years, The Definitive Affordable Microbrand Dive Watch Gets a Total Overhaul

There is no shortage of affordable microbrand divers in the watch market today, but that wasn’t the case just a few years ago.

When French brand Baltic debuted its Aquascaphe diver back in 2018, the watch didn’t have a whole lot of competition. Here was a dive watch with an original design full of retro flavor, but built with modern materials and with a high level of craftsmanship — all for a price well below $1,000. At the time, this combination was nearly unheard of.

The Aquascaphe was one of, if not the first, microbrand divers to break through into the mainstream, helping to pave the way for the glut of affordable independent dive watches we’re blessed with today.

Photo by Gear Patrol

While we have seen the Aquascaphe line expand over the years with bronze versions, titanium models, GMTs, and dual-crown options, the original Aquascaphe has gone largely unchanged since its debut seven years ago, and arguably remains the definitive microbrand diver.

But today, Baltic is starting the next chapter in its flagship watch’s legacy with the launch of the second-generation Aquascaphe.

Take two

Baltic

The Baltic Aquascaphe MK2 shares a lot in common with its predecessor, but there’s a lot that’s different about it, too.

I’ll start with the similarities. The dial layout is largely unchanged from a design standpoint, with the familiar Arabic numeral 12 o’clock index flanked by round hour markers and triangles at 3, 6 and 9. The pencil hands also remain, along with the lollipop seconds hand.

A bubble-like double-domed sapphire crystal still covers the dial, and a sapphire is once again the material chosen for the bezel insert. Water resistance stays at a robust 200m, and the Miyota Cal. 9039 automatic movement still powers the watch.

But that’s where the similarities end.

Baltic

Returning to the dial, although the general design remains, it’s technically all new. The sandwich dial has been swapped out for applied indices made of Lumicast solid ceramic lume, all of which are much larger than before. Their edges have been softened, and they appear white in the daytime — no fauxtina here. The new hands are also fatter with more room for lume, and there’s a busier minute track with most five-minute increments numerically labeled.

The bezel insert has changed from a minimalist design to a more purpose-built and toolish one, with the bezel now sporting marks for every minute. All bezel markings are fully lumed, too, which, when combined with the Maxi-style hands and indices, translates to a far more visible watch in all lighting conditions.

Baltic

The case — or rather, cases — is also brand-new. There are now two sizes for the Aquascaphe, with the MK1’s 39mm size giving way to your choice of a 37mm or 39.5mm option — both of which have roughly the same thickness as before at 12.9mm.

Both cases feature the same more rugged, contemporary design with sharper finishing, chunkier teeth on the bezel and, notably, crown guards, which were absent on the more vintage-themed original Aquascaphe. The lugs are also broader and feature vertical brushing rather than circular.

Finally, there’s a brand-new rubber strap that makes the watch a bit more wearable in everyday situations. Instead of the OG Tropic-style rubber, the new strap is dressier and more premium. It’s made of soft FKM rubber and features a pattern inspired by Saffiano leather.

Baltic

Pricing and availability

Both sizes of the Aquascaphe MK2 are available in the same four colorways. There’s green and blue, both of which have glossy dials, and then there’s gray and “Warm Silver” — which is basically white. The dials of these two more neutral colors feature a granular texture. All four styles have bezel colors that match their dials, except for Warm Silver, which has a black bezel.

Each color and size also offers the option of a rubber strap color-matched to the dial, or a black one, with all rubber straps available in a short or regular length. You can also opt for a flat-link or beads of rice steel bracelet instead, both of which were already part of Baltic’s catalog.

Baltic

Now, for the best part: the price. Baltic’s bread and butter is in affordable watches, and the Aquascaphe originally became such a hit thanks largely to its tremendous value.

The brand, thankfully, has kept the new generation in the same ballpark pricewise at €630 (~$743) on the rubber strap — a €50 (~$59) jump over the original, which is still available and has been rebranded the “Aquascaphe Classic.”

The Aquascaphe MK2 will go on sale on Baltic’s website on September 25.

Baltic

Baltic Aquascaphe MK2

Specs

Case Size	37mm or 39.5mm
Movement	Miyota Cal. 9039 automatic
Water Resistance	200m

• Starts at $743

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