On the Wrist, from off the Cuff: Baltic Aquascaphe vs. Seiko SLA017 62MAS Reissue, Unexpected Match

[@AverageBros]

Just to clarify again, the goal of the video is not to necessarily pit the two models against each other, as the Seiko is clearly the superior piece. The idea is more so to point out that instead of wearing one of the many direct homage 62MAS options, you could instead wear a genuine Baltic Aquascaphe.

[@buckethead84]

I think you're on point with the Baltic. Not just bc I want to confirm my own biases for having made the purchase, but I've owned the spb143 too and after having the Baltic on, I could not go back to the tubby top heavy design. Even though the Seiko had more presence and looked like the more serious watch of the two, the Baltic had it beat on wearability and really smart but subtle design choices. Whether the design choices were made consciously or just happened by chance by borrowing from past proven designs the end product is really as refined of a piece as you can get under $1k.

[@seanhickling7340]

The seiko a superior piece!? 😂 You are funny.

[@pk1342]

​@@seanhickling7340explain how it isn't... 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@seanhickling7340]

@@pk1342 The recent abysmal seiko quality and quality control and the vastly overinflated prices; that's why. Unless you are a blind seiko fanboy who accepts the poor quality of course.

[@kickstothehead3705]

@@seanhickling7340I agree that Baltic has the sapphire bezel and in my opinion beats it in every category except movement ,anywhere else you gotta be a seiko slappy to give it to seiko

[@martinkaplan1805]

Hey Mark, I just picked up the Aquascaphe in bronze and it’s gorgeous. The buckle’s been giving me a problem, but once we get that straightened out I know it’s gonna get a lot of wrist time. I’ve always wanted a bronze watch, and when I watched a Peter Kostas video on bronze watches and saw this beauty, I went for it. As always, I continue to appreciate your content, style and photography. Thanks!

[@AverageBros]

Congrats, not big into bronze but knowing Baltic, I'm certain it's impressive in the metal. Thanks for your continued support and viewership, cheers!

[@meremortal]

Wearing my blue gilt Baltic Aquascaphe as I write this. It's my go to holiday watch. Comparetivly cheap, understated elegance while being ready for the sea and a dive. Honestly I think it's one of my best purchases for it's simplicity and style. Recommend 100%

[@bryansamuel9427]

I just love my aquascaphe. I have the same exact one in the video. Planning to get the GMT as well.

[@miguelalonsoperez5609]

I find the index on the Seiko too bigger for the dial, which let very little free space at the center that is saturated by the typography… Baltic’s dial is way more clean and proportioned, less “brutal” than Seiko’s thanks also to its thinner case compared to the dial size. I dislike also sun ray effects on black dials (in general I don’t like in any color but I accept better in blue for example), and since the great Speedmaster love the mate black finishing that avoid reflexions and let a very light and legible dial

[@AverageBros]

Well yeah, of course it does, the Baltic has the benefit of hindsight, it should read as more refined, it is exactly that.

[@markloubser2433]

Baltic for sure just the style alone is far more elegant. Actually they are very different in terms of basically everything.....

[@AverageBros]

Here we go...

[@buckethead84]

I bought the same Baltic with the tropic strap (the strap btw is trash IMO, I've since replaced it with a black Joseph Bonnie strap instead which is much more suitable for the quality of the watch). That being said, I also had the spb143 which I have recently sold as a result of the baltic purchase. Once I got used to the comfort of the Baltic and it's uderstated design, it was hard to go back to the chunky spb143. One thing that I'd like to see on the Baltic, is a better bracelet that tapers down to 16mm, like a foux-rivet bracelet that Meraud has for their diver.

[@daveLin104]

Did you have the Bonnie strap for the 143 or not ? I have the 143 and like you said it feels a little clunky and experimenting with different straps to see if keeper or not.

[@buckethead84]

@@daveLin104 I tried the bonnie tropic strap on the spb143, didn't work, it's too chunky for the 16mm taper. The only strap that I found works well is the artem sailcloth strap with the grey stitching that tapers to 18mm and is padded. I think a tropic strap could work on the spb143 but it would need to be a 18mm taper.

[@daveLin104]

@buckethead84 thanks for the reply it looks good on the Artem in the pics. I was thinking of the uncle seiko z199 but that I think tapers to 16mm and not sure if be too light for the watch. I have it on a black non tapering waffle strap now it seems to work wearing wise but a bit dull to look at. In pics this watch goes with so many straps but wearing wise not so much. In contrast my Khaki field auto goes with everything comfort and looks wise.

[@Jason-hv4eu]

@@daveLin104Hello. Different watch, but, I purchased the Uncle Seiko z199 bracelet for the Seiko King Turtle. The bracelet tapers from 22mm down to 16mm. I did upgrade to the double push button clasp. I was worried the taper would be too much as well. My initial concern was lack of weight and appearance. Fortunately, I am enjoying the bracelet. The quality, fitment, appearance and weight are all good in my opinion. So, if the 16mm taper is good for the Turtle it would probably look and function well on the 62MAS.

[@daveLin104]

@Jason-hv4eu thanks so much for the help the turtle is a big watch so I am sure it will support the 143 as well, I need to try it thanks.

[@麻辣兔头-q6u]

想听博主说下新款的SJE093

[@AverageBros]

As an SLA017 owner, it wouldn't make sense for me to purchase an SJE093, sorry. It's a fine piece I'm sure though.

[@麻辣兔头-q6u]

也对有017，但是093很薄 哈哈@@AverageBros

[@mychetboy]

Put it on a real tropic strap and it transforms. The beads of rice is just too much for the elegant design of the watch and dial layout.

[@dantr4n]

The Seiko's simply a better watch (for me). The design, the history,... is unbeatable.

[@buckethead84]

I doubt that it wears better, like most Seikos, it's tubby at 14mm thick.

[@rorschach8585]

Aquascape? Squall?

[@rodrigosgarageclassics1380]

I will go for the Baltic all day long even if they both had the same prize.

[@A_Dude_And_His_Watch78]

I would definitely go for the Seiko over the Baltic.

[@jpdavis6042]

Baltic lugs look too long (like Lorier) which I had purchased and did not like at all. I'm not a fan of Micro's, but Baltic is interesting, but a tad overpriced IMO.

[@buckethead84]

The lugs are longer on the seiko, perhaps the fact that they're not squared off gives them the appearance of not being longer, or maybe the seiko has wider lugs that add to that appearance. At 47mm I don't think that's long for a 39mm watch, nor does it feel like it, I have a 7inch wrist and it wears just fine/flat on wrist. I went with the black/silver model, just like in the video. I think it can appear overpriecd since it's understated, but the design is really smart. It's not something that grabs your attention, but you appreciate more while wearing. The high domed saphire actually works really well under water, allowing you to see the dial at some aggressive angles, also protects the watch well, along with the saphire bezel insert that's just slightly raised so that the metal doesn't get dinged when deflecting impact off surfaces. I had the spb143 and the outer bezel was raised above the insert and it got dented all of the time, didn't help that it sat higher on wrist. Accuracy is also quite good out of the the box, after a slight regulation runs cosc times, I can't say the same for the spb143, that watch was impossible to regulate, the movement had a mind of its own.