The Militado ML01. A Great Alternative to the Baltic MR01 For £56!

[@JonTheComputerDoctor]

I wore a dress Watch for many years for work and never gave it a thought, so for me they will get worn whenever I feel like it. Great video and a good find, excellent stuff.

[@johnswatchjoint]

Cheers Jon 🙂

[@jasonolyver6430]

Got mine, silver dial no logo, at fist I thought it was missing something because I got so used to seeing it with one everywhere but now I just love it, and for the price that side brush and the drilled lugs are amazing. My one and only complaint with the watch is that I got mine with an uneven gap around the screw cap in the back, that kind of bugs me. But I turn it around and boy am I glad I got it.

[@petervangeresteijn748]

When I saw this watch in the end of 2023 I instantly bought the salmon version. Wore it a while and it is a real nice watch for the price! The leather is too long however. It actually convinced me to wear my vintage Longines more often. As they overlap in dial colour I sold the Militado. But I bought the blue textured version on an impulse and I guess I will put it on occasionally. It's a nice small watch to have in your collection.

[@johnswatchjoint]

Thanks for that Peter. I wish I had been sent the blue one...in either dial finish as it looks the pick of the bunch :)

[@thebaldwatchcollector]

Loving this timepiece and spot on as an alternative of the Baltic, a fraction of the cost and not a direct homage.

[@johnswatchjoint]

Cheers buddy. Not enough dress watches getting reviewed. They are fast disappearing :(

[@karlsenula9495]

@@johnswatchjoint definitely agree that dress watches are under reviewed and under represented.

[@chrisgrieves1468]

With the world doing a bit of an about turn and smaller watches returning, perhaps there is still life in the dress watch. I wear them as dailies often, I don't swim much and when they are thinner they are less likely to hit something! I have one with a 7001 in it, less than 7mm, it's a revelation. Wear something elegant and lovely on your wrist, go on folks :)

[@johnswatchjoint]

Well said Chris :)

[@GalorOffroad]

Thanks for the video 🙂 That is a pretty nice watch, especially on a suede strap 🥰 The only thing I don't like is the brand name... Sadly, this is a problem about many chinese watch brands 😕 That said, I have a Tandorio, Merkur, Baltany and soon a San Martin.

[@johnswatchjoint]

Haha. Sometimes we gotta suck it up. The names are sometimes awful but the watches on the whole are pretty good I have to say :)

[@GalorOffroad]

@@johnswatchjoint yes they are 🙂

[@karlsenula9495]

The alternative is of course a nice logo to pair with the name and go on the dial instead.

[@TheProco2020]

The name is what stopped me buying it the other day. Instead I’ve bought a sterile Addisdive dress chronograph (if that’s a term) as a GADA. It was cheaper and looks ok in photos, we’ll see what reality is like.

[@E_D_43]

The watch looks good on the wrist shots, especially on the brown strap. To be honest I don't really get all the Baltic love. I've looked at them many times, but just don't feel it. I guess this is a great alternative if you like the Baltic.

[@kennethcullen1208]

Like it John, dress watches are not dead!..This one is a little gem..and the price is good. I recalculated into AUD and comes in at $109, very reasonable. I have just bought six watches from Alie...but I like the combination of green, gold and white. Mineral crystal on a dress watch..no matter..no one should be playing tennis with this on. Maybe I can make room for one more..Watchdives and Alie, are they related?

[@johnswatchjoint]

I don't think they are but there are so many collaborations going on it's hard to tell these days! :)

[@YouTube_is_full_of_trolls]

This watch is stunning, and from your shots, I can't see a difference over the macro on the Baltic. I wish tgey put the same movement in and charged the appropriate extra cost for the movement and the little extra assembly

[@NotoriousK_I_T]

Like it, I just wish it wasn't so shiny

[@drazenprahin7754]

I like this one..noticed it a few days ago..the dial is well executed..small seconds look great..ihmo a proper dress watch should be like that or without a second hand..and the dimensions are spot on.. On the other subject, todays average lifestyle rarely demands formal wear..one dress watch pretty much covers it..while the other watch styles get much more wrist time

[@johnswatchjoint]

Thanks for watching!

[@karlsenula9495]

I've heard watches referred to as jewelry for men .. in this regard everyday GADA and dress style watches make the most sense.

[@juniorjohnson5961]

What does GADA mean ?

[@karlsenula9495]

@@juniorjohnson5961 it is a term used in the watch community (probably elsewhere as well) that means a watch that can 'Go Anywhere Do Anything' ... work, dinner, day out doing activities, weekday, weekend possibly even formal occasion. Usually a simple design with 100m water resistance that looks good on the wrist think Tissot Gentleman, Orient Bambino, Omega Aqua Terra etc.

[@michaelrost3646]

​@@juniorjohnson5961go anywhere, do anything

[@dunderhay9169]

Good review of a very nice watch 👍 . I already have a silver dial quartz San Martin dress watch with small seconds and the new Baltany 1921, I think dress watches are my favourite style although I hate suits and ties 😁

[@johnswatchjoint]

It seems we are in the minority. Thanks buddy 😊

[@dunderhay9169]

@@johnswatchjoint Definitely, I backed Gary from I Like Watches Academic dress watch.....along with only 29 other people 😢

[@johnswatchjoint]

That was a shame. He put a lot of work into that. I have great respect for him .

[@richardpool9970]

Call me old fashioned but I like my dress watches with just indicators/batons or roman numerals. However, Baltic do make some beautiful watches, and the MR01 is no exception and for the money this is a good homage. Thankfully I think I talked myself out of this one 🙂 Good review as always John.

[@johnswatchjoint]

Thanks Richard. I like watches and don't get people getting upset over a £56 watch that does it well :)

[@JonGH33]

Dress watches will never die :-) Divers are great watches but they really don't cut it for business casual (although GADA can). Dress watches work well with business casual, full suit and semi smart going out.

[@johnswatchjoint]

I agree 👍

[@AnyoxB.D.]

Another great review

[@johnswatchjoint]

Thanks again!

[@younusimam-thesalamproject6340]

I love this! I am glad Ali Express is bringing in more dress watches. I hope they can stick that Hangzhou microrotor with a display back in some of these more minimal dress watches. My Bambino would have some serious competition. Btw John, I am constantly rewatching your Proxima 1697 (enamel white) diver review. I have been patiently waiting, not buying any major watches for over a year now to try and decide on a "dress diver" that is both versatile, beautiful, has a date and is actually watertight. The Proxima and San Martin homages top the list. I'm having a hard time deciding between the black, the white or just sticking with a San Martin Sub homage (might pick up a Milsub when they come out with a date). What are your thoughts on getting one as a GADA travel watch?

[@johnswatchjoint]

Hi there. Sorry your comment got stuck in the "for approval" section?! When it comes to a GADA only you can answer what kind of look you prefer. For me a dive style watch like you mention would be too big but I have smaller wrists. Both San Martin and Proxima are solid choices. The PX I have had in both black and white and loved them. For my wrist size I would consider them an excellent choice. You will already know in your mind what to go for ;)

[@younusimam-thesalamproject6340]

@johnswatchjoint haha no worries! Yes so for me, a dress dive watch is important. That rotating bezel and durability is key for me, but also versatile for suit and tie. Something that can do it all is great. I'm just trying to see if I should get this, or keep saving for the CW Aquitaine GMT, which is my grail. That being said, I'm not even sure if I want an expensive watch over $500, I'd rather invest that money. So, lots of decisions to make!

[@asiantimepieces]

That’s a steal. Classy piece 👌🏼

[@AlexanderB.]

It looks so good!👌However, I won't buy it, you know why! 😄

[@RandallSlick]

Pleasant. A watch like this is crying out for black indices except for a red 12, in true trench watch style. One day we might see the Chinese cotton on. Recently only Seiko and possibly Vario have done that in the 'mainstream'. I do fear that Miltado's shiny bezel though.

[@johnswatchjoint]

This is a dress watch homageing a Baltic MR01. It's not a trench watch :)

[@karlsenula9495]

This gives me a mix between that Baltic (which I believe has a micro-rotor) and a dirty dozen.

[@gorillasinthewrist]

Not sure about this one, v formal and v. Shiny. I like vintage vibes which this has

[@seanhickling7340]

Dress watches are far from a thing of the past thankfully. I do like this watch but the only downside for me is that bezel looks far too thick. It's not delicate enough.

[@roadgent7921]

I have another brand using a VD78. Keeps 2 sec per month. 😊

[@johnswatchjoint]

Great everyday movements ;)

[@952651869]

Looks Great but not for me. Great video as Always John hope you are well.

[@adk7962]

Striking little watch for the price. You and I have very similar watch tastes, but dress watches is where we differ. I just have no occasion where I would wear one. And yes, the whole smart watches with suits is disheartening. Still enjoyed the review though. 👍🏼

[@johnswatchjoint]

Cheers Albert. I always remember the house parties ( civilised adults and kids affairs) at birthday parties etc and seeing all these guys wearing cool dress watches and some wearing the tonneau styles of the 70's when I was a kid. There are some things I just don't wish to forget. The thing I would love to show my daughter is what it was like to grow up in the 70s as a kid and the eighties as a young adult...great times that you can never really put across. The world was so different :)

[@drebarthelotte5712]

Thanks sir😊

[@johnswatchjoint]

Most welcome buddy.

[@robh.2400]

The pics on the website make it appear like the top of the bezel is brushed. All that high polish is too much for me.

[@Horizontalvertigo]

I think you're being a bit pessimistic about dress watches, after all, a smart watch is never going to look proper with a tuxedo. There'll always be a place for calatravas and the like, but who knows if they'll survive in the lower end of the market. Personally I think dress watches are due a turn in the sun, and people will get sick of steel sports watches and start wanting precious metals again soon enough. I know I wear my dress watches casually on a day to day basis, and they look grand.

[@johnswatchjoint]

I admire your optimism but if you follow the watch news and trends watch sales, especially dress watches, it looks bleak :)

[@nikolaikrustev1159]

'Reminds' you? :))) I'd call this Milipido..

[@johnswatchjoint]

?

[@nikolaikrustev1159]

@@johnswatchjoint 'Clomaging' my favourite micro band with a complete lack of imagination: centring the small seconds dial- just 'Wow' .This is neither 'great' nor an 'alternative'.

[@johnswatchjoint]

The Baltic is a homage of a Patek so it's not original. For anyone who likes the Baltic but cannot afford it, it IS an alternative. But watch snobs just won't allow that will they?