Exactly the sort of size and design we should be seeing from Longines... or Patek! A very stylish design for the money, though I completely agree with you about the bezel.
I've seen three different reviewers critique three different dials of this model; the blue, salmon and silver dials. I would rank them in order of least to most legible as: blur, salmon and silver. Strangely, the silver dial is by far the most legible. If anyone is interested in getting this watch, search for a review of the silver dial. After watching that review, to me, the only reason to get one of the other dial options is because that particular color is more important than legibility. Each to their own.
That is a beautiful movement. Any experience with the longevity of these Hangzhou movements? I’ve had good luck with ST19’s (touch wood…) but not so good luck with some other Chinese movements.
The first version of this watch with Hangzhou movement was released about 2021. There does not seem to be much noise about problems online, though it’s only been 3 years…
You say it is a hackable movement, but…. It looks to me like the seconds keep moving while you are changing the time. 7:50. Also, the micro rotor is sometimes noisy - do you find that?
Owner of a MR-01 here, the movement does not hack. The rotor can be heard in a dead quiet room when paying attention. Out and about you’ll never hear it.
It looks like they saved a lot of money making this. Boring and cheap-looking case, cheap-looking strap and hands, and I’m not a fan of cheap Chinese movements. Edit: great video as always Tim
I think Baltic is closing in on making something truly desirable. There have been many models that could and perhaps should have had my attention, but nothing so far graduated to must have. The MR01 for me just didn't work well. The proportions of the numerals seemed off to me. No such problems here. I have a soft spot for runaround numerals, so this immediately appeals. I have no particular interest in the movement, but that also means that excepting the lack of hacking, I have little against it. The brushed bezel is a good move and it looks really smart. I tend to like textural brushing, so I don't mind it being a bit more coarse, though there is a question about consistency and arguably this style of watch is better suited to more refined brushing. Nonetheless, in the overview shots I like the effect. I wonder whether it would work better in the monochrome silver, because then it emphasises the many finishes of the same material. That said, this salmon and your review are really convincing me that this is worthy of my attention. So who knows. Getting directly acquainted with Baltic seems overdue at any rate.
I like it
Exactly the sort of size and design we should be seeing from Longines... or Patek! A very stylish design for the money, though I completely agree with you about the bezel.
I've seen three different reviewers critique three different dials of this model; the blue, salmon and silver dials. I would rank them in order of least to most legible as: blur, salmon and silver. Strangely, the silver dial is by far the most legible. If anyone is interested in getting this watch, search for a review of the silver dial. After watching that review, to me, the only reason to get one of the other dial options is because that particular color is more important than legibility. Each to their own.
I love a movement which fills the case, handsome dial.
Got the A Collected Man version last year, it's even better than the blue of this iteration, so playful in the light, very bright, Patek colours.
Sehr schöne Uhr
or save money and just get the militado quartz version
That is a beautiful movement. Any experience with the longevity of these Hangzhou movements? I’ve had good luck with ST19’s (touch wood…) but not so good luck with some other Chinese movements.
The first version of this watch with Hangzhou movement was released about 2021. There does not seem to be much noise about problems online, though it’s only been 3 years…
You say it is a hackable movement, but…. It looks to me like the seconds keep moving while you are changing the time. 7:50. Also, the micro rotor is sometimes noisy - do you find that?
Owner of a MR-01 here, the movement does not hack. The rotor can be heard in a dead quiet room when paying attention. Out and about you’ll never hear it.
It looks like they saved a lot of money making this. Boring and cheap-looking case, cheap-looking strap and hands, and I’m not a fan of cheap Chinese movements. Edit: great video as always Tim
Thank you.
The movement looks good. But the small seconds placement is a deal breaker. Must be at 6 o'clock.
Totally agree. The strap looked cheap as well.
It looks better from the back. That brushed bezel dominates the front, overpowers the pretty dial and doesn't, in my view, belong on a dressy watch.
I think Baltic is closing in on making something truly desirable. There have been many models that could and perhaps should have had my attention, but nothing so far graduated to must have. The MR01 for me just didn't work well. The proportions of the numerals seemed off to me. No such problems here. I have a soft spot for runaround numerals, so this immediately appeals. I have no particular interest in the movement, but that also means that excepting the lack of hacking, I have little against it. The brushed bezel is a good move and it looks really smart. I tend to like textural brushing, so I don't mind it being a bit more coarse, though there is a question about consistency and arguably this style of watch is better suited to more refined brushing. Nonetheless, in the overview shots I like the effect. I wonder whether it would work better in the monochrome silver, because then it emphasises the many finishes of the same material. That said, this salmon and your review are really convincing me that this is worthy of my attention. So who knows. Getting directly acquainted with Baltic seems overdue at any rate.
Why does the steel from the case look so white? Is it just the light?
Yep, plus brushing. Looks pretty normal under daylight.
I see the advantage to drilled lug holes. What's odd to me is that Tudor doesn't have them on their modem dive style watches.
I can’t pay $500+ for a 36 mm. Specially with a Chinese movement and plenty of Swiss vintage watches for a lot less on ebay. Pass. Thanks for sharing.
The upper case ruins it for me, looks like a slab of steel around an overal attractive watch.
Not keen at all with the sub dial location and the strap looks like poor quality. I think I would give this watch a pass.