New Explorer Alternative: Baltic Hermetique Tourer

We all love the Rolex Explorer, but Baltic's new design rivals that at a fraction of the cost with certain new design elements that are typical vintage inspired Baltic. They even designed a perfectly recessed crown, but is it good? Let's discuss their new release.
Sale goes live October 10th at 4pm (Paris Time)
Delivery in Early November 2023 (there are 200 numbered versions in each color before going to non-numbered versions)

[@thomaschristopherwhite9043]

I remember a great line from Todd McFarlane when asked if story was more important than the artwork when it came to his comicbooks. He said "Both are important but it's easier to sell a comicbook with a cover by DaVinci and a story written by someone's mom than a comicbook written by Shakespear and a cover art by someone's mom." Baltic watches have never been spec monsters but they nail the design everytime and that has gotten them a long way. They don't have one watch in their lineup right now that I wouldn't love to wear.

[@HarrisonElmore]

I agree. They've done a fantastic job designing their watches!

[@brafman1]

This might well be the best, most detailed and thoughtful review of a new watch I've ever seen. Shame about the crown -- I was worried about that when I saw it. Thanks for the review.

[@OslerWannabe]

The crown pops out for setting.

[@dandoe1620]

The crown design is great. I know most of us are desk divers but based on what "field watches" were intended for on paper (Exploring the great unknown), I never knew why crown guards weren't historically associated with them. This is a perfect solution. You don't have to worry about breaking the crown on a rock cliff as you summit Everest....Or bang it on a door jam in your house. Same thing.

[@Cappingtoncappercap]

Great point. I wish more brands would do something similar when it comes to working details.

[@dimatha7]

what tool you have for the spring bars?

[@vaclav_fejt]

IF that crown is easy to operate, it's a great move. I myself like a big crown - in diameter. The height of a crown is not that decisive, if one can get a good grip on it. Like this it's just hidden, not getting in the way... People scoff at date windows for making the dials asymmetric most of the time, but nobody says a thing about crowns.

[@shawnsapp1000]

Nice lookin piece definitely love the crown. I would wear it on a strap not feeling either bracelet options. Good review 👊🏾

[@HarrisonElmore]

Thanks!

[@bjoernaltmann]

The bracelet looks like what Omega used to have on the Speedmaster in the early 60s. Forstner makes copies of that. I think this watch looks best on a strap

[@markloubser2433]

That is very nice! Love the case size/shape. Miyota 9000 is a good choice. Maybe not so much the polished links though...

[@turnbasedtoddy7664]

I really love this watch. It’s got a really nice design but I will say it makes zero sense to have a fully brushed watch and have so much polishing on the bracelet. Kind of ruins the bracelet for me. I probably would go with the beads of rice.

[@ValueRedApples]

The bracelet spans all their watches so it’s not specific to this model and comes at additional cost. The default strap that it comes with is made specifically for it

[@YY-os4eu]

Great focus on the opening shot!😅

[@Nefville]

The majority of my watches are GADA watches but this one isn't for me. Its busy, the bezel and the crystal compress the dial down, there are multiple rings around the dial and it feels crowded. GADA should be simple. Not a fan of the bracelet either. I have nothing against POLs, my Aquis has them but here they do not match the case. And the clasp looks a bit cheap. To sum it up this just doesn't feel like a Baltic. With their usual design language they should have nailed this.

[@marquisdaily7715]

Very balanced, clean design, nice movement, very legible. I like it very much, would go for a leather strap

[@HRM.H]

Nice movement??? You have low standards..

[@adlzag1290]

What's the bracelet removal tool you referred to in your video?

[@johnmonachelli5256]

I think the way to go is the color matched tropic rubber

[@HarrisonElmore]

I agree

[@unwokeneuropean3590]

Perfect size, perfect style... but im not in into 687,50 EUR watch even before the steel band.

[@OslerWannabe]

The crown pulls out for setting.

[@Jtjustintimberlake]

Baltic has some interesting watches. I prefer watches with a date complication, so this one is not for me.

[@garythomas3150]

I like it

[@thegorn]

WTF were they thinking with that crown?!!

[@vaclav_fejt]

It's not a Tsuyosa, it's at 3 o'clock.

[@cagataycakmak2280]

I like the watch but the crown is a bit too small in my opinion, looks a bit unbalanced to me.

[@danielgillrup9518]

The green dial model is about as appealing as this line gets, just because it’s very unique in size as well. I personally like this blue with the bracelet, but those are a dime a dozen.

[@yarly3180]

This watch makes no sense to me: IMO ppl who are looking for a no date watch (e.g. Miyota 9039) do not want to be bothered with using a watch winder and choose a no date for the ease of use and dont'want some not some hard to operate crown. The search continues lol.

[@joeskeptical4762]

*The hands are not my preference; sharpened pencil-type tips* _(such as a Rolex)_ *would give this watch a killer dial look AND improve its at-a-glance legibility.*

[@TheGreatAmphibian]

I skipped through this so maybe I missed something… But in a fourteen minute review of a field watch, even a dressy one, I think it would have been a good idea to say how long the lume actually lasts rather than just “don’t worry”…

[@pruteanu6]

what the hell is with that crown ???

[@Cheeseiest1]

Not even gonna make it to the crown issues I'm seeing mentioned in the comments, because the second I see polishing on the bracelet of an explorer style watch I'm out

[@davidb9531]

The Explorer has a polished bezel and white gold Indeces no?

[@Ahcelaht]

the bracelet seems so loose... in a really bad way

[@BB-gl7zt]

Bracelet looks like a knockoff of Lorier, same with the swing arm. Clasp aesthetic doesn't quite match the watch head. The dial looks pretty good but overall I expected more from Baltic!

[@HRM.H]

Loriers bracelet is a knockoff itself. 😂 you think lorier invented flatlink bracelets???

[@BB-gl7zt]

@@HRM.H where did I say Lorier invented anything? Baltic's looks exactly like Lorier's, maybe even sourced from the same factory. Relax bro

[@HRM.H]

If only they stopped using miyota movements....

[@jgo8305]

The crown is disgusting lmao.. that's a shame

[@Psysso]

Meeh, kinda getting tired of these explorer 'homages' with miyota and a little diferent variation of the bracelet finishing and dial style, also i hate the crown on this one. Pass. Baltic is an overhyped brand imo , they slap a chinese movement(with a microrotor) into a popular design and dial color and get insane praise from countless youtubers, when you have chinese variants outthere for less than half the price for years.

[@HRM.H]

You hit the nail on the head. Baltic is insanely overrated. Ive owned two and sold them both within half a year. God awefull bracelets aswell. The watches feel as well made as a early 2000s seiko 5.

[@joea5222]

I thought Miyota was Japanese

[@Psysso]

@@joea5222 This model houses a Hangzhou CAL5000a movement not a miyota.

[@mabrix]

@@PsyssoI'm confused now... on their website says Miyota 9039

[@BlueCuddlefish]

​@@Psysso I was just about to pull the trigger one until a saw your comment. Do you have a source on where you found the info on the movement

[@jaredstephenson6468]

I set my Hermetique all the time. It's very simple. The crown comes right out. I don't understand the crown gripes at all.

[@andrew811ful]

Already ordered the green dial model on bracelet but was really considering the brown dial!

[@relojeroschat]

Baltic is in the right track. Home run after home run!

[@lemiuuni]

how would this compare per say to traska summiteer/everest smith?

[@goo4tube]

Baltic did a good job on the dial, I quiet like it. But they failed miserably on the Lugs. It overhangs way too much, beyond the end links of the bracelets, making it look ugly. Another thing is that the winding crown will be very difficult to wind. I will pass on this one, sadly

[@TheGreatAmphibian]

If the movement is anything like Seiko autos, winding is pointless. You can spin them up with a few seconds swirling and then being on your wrist will do the rest.

[@themrgumbatron]

Love the design and size, Baltic smashed this one out of the park!

[@MrGeirSteinar]

Great review of a hard-to-grasp (at least for me) watch. The promo material sets it up like a kind of rough outdoors do it all field watch, but it just looks way too refined and officy for that. To my eyes, at least. I think I’ll stick to my two Aquascaphes for now…

[@nick2var]

No crown...no money

[@m.e.p.r]

Nope

[@chrishennemeyer7276]

Yeah, I've owned a couple of Baltics and like them well enough, but this one looks as dull as dishwater. Nice size, but it won't be on my list.

[@unwokeneuropean3590]

It's how office watch should look.

[@AwkwardHorology]

I’ve been wanting to get my hands on a Baltic for a while it’s just difficult choosing the one they all look so good!

[@johnalexander8270]

I have the AQUASCAPHE BRONZE BLUE GILT I picked up from their showroom in london. It's become one of my favorite watches. Just ordered the brown today version of this today.

[@unwokeneuropean3590]

Not wanting to pay that amount of money i would like homages of those watches.

[@differentxminds9907]

How rattly is that Miyota rotor though?

[@Psysso]

very

[@HRM.H]

I wont buy a single watch with a miyota movement anymore. They are so awefull

[@jackochainsaw]

Pro tip. Grow some nails.

[@Billeh556]

Thought I’d like this more but really don’t like the hidden crown feature. Watch looks off to me