Baltic announces the Hermétique Tourer, a vintage-inspired all-rounder

Baltic, the beloved French (not-so) micro brand, has achieved incredible things since its founding in 2106. The Aquascape remains one of the best bang-for-buck divers on the market today, and the brand’s tone-perfect blend of modern construction and vintage sensibilities hasn’t failed yet.

Today, Baltic has announced the launch of a brand-new collection, going on sale on October 10, called the Hermétique Tourer. Conceptually this design doesn’t stray too far from the brand’s core competencies; it’s a go anywhere, do anything style watch with a vintage twist, a 37mm diameter case made of 316L steel, and a double domed sapphire crystal up top. The profile is a pleasingly slim 10.8mm, with 2.5mm of that being the crystal. The watch is water resistant to 150m, and powered by the calibre 9039 Miytota manufacture movement that is typical with Baltics.

What sets this case apart, though, is the profile, specifically the integrated crown, a vintage-inspired note that means you can easily wear this watch on your left or right. On top of that, Baltic is offering four dial options, in green, blue, beige or brown, with an outer railway sector, a matte inner section, hour markets filled generously with lume, and elegant syringe-style hands. The watch is offered on steel with flat links or beads of rice, or a tropic-style strap in FKM rubber.

After the success of the Aquascaphe and the MR01, there must have been some people wondering just where Baltic would go as a brand. Well, the Hermétique Tourer is proof that the upstart French brand still has plenty of fresh concepts in the tank. The subtle tweaks on colour and form are excellent, and this watch manages to offer something distinct while still being recognisably Baltic.

Pricing is, as always, excellent, at 550 Euro on rubber and 630 Euro on steel. For early birds, there’s an extra incentive, with the first 200 units of each dial version being numbered.