I think the one thing that a lot of us collectors struggle from is even when we get a grail level piece, we often keep looking for the next one. I’ve been trying really hard to just sit back and enjoy my collection and not look for something new. It’s super difficult BTW!! 😆But I know I’ll never be satisfied if I’m never content with what I have.
It's the collector's gene, the hunter-gatherer quest to track down and aquire. I've often looked at it as a flaw in my personality, but lately tried to accept this is who I am, just trying to look at a potential purchase and ask myself if I'll still like it in 10 years, 20 years...
This looks great on you Bruce! Currently wearing a 32mm Cartier Santos. Small watches are fine and look good. I’m 250 lbs and have a 7.5-8inch wrist. I think a lot of men are super insecure and think they’re way bigger than they are. Your watch doesn’t diminish or define your masculinity.
You're right about collectors in general. I've been through vintage firearms, vintage cars, vintage guitars, modified guitars, vintage guitar amps, homebuilt guitar amps, vintage pocket watches, obscure watches, luxury watches, etc. It gets reinforced when there's a hunt involved to acquire a piece, and when the piece is related to a strong personal interest area. Usually your wallet or a significant other puts the brakes on your passion. When I've had several of these hobbies going on at the same time, it helped to go cold turkey on one and throw myself into another. Or just forcing yourself to stop for a while, and see if interest wanes after a time. That last method especially helps when the items are expensive. Discipline.
I completely relate and this is largely the reason I haven’t started a watch review channel. I really enjoy watch collecting and I don’t want collector fatigue. I’m learning to just enjoy the in-between-purchase journey while trying to continually create the perfect small (10+/-) collection to keep things fresh. I love the Baltic, just wish it was 38 for my wrist. Excellent vid as usual! 😎👍🏼
Man you're the GOAT. Been watching a long time and lover your narration on Desensitized and cant blame you for it at all. Love the content and keep up great work. Can't believe you are only at 95.5 k right now. I've watched a lot of watch content and you deserve the most views for your diverse and beautiful reviews of watches. Thank you !!!
It is a beautiful Calatrava-styled dress watch. 36mm is the appropriate size for a dress watch. The only reason I did not buy one is there are an unusually high number of failures of the movement.
I bought mine also with the salmon dial, green strap, and beads of rice bracelet. I love everything about this watch and couldn't resist the price. Amazing dial & movement!
I think that you are missing out Bruce. It's like this, is it not better to have your own dog whom you love and loves you. Out every day together walking the hills you build a bond and a history. Rather than to be a professional dog walker, shepherding many dogs daily whom you may like but never love. Fabulous channel by the way.
Really loving your video content lately Bruce. So refreshing. And I would gladly spend over 10 minutes on one of your vids, in lieu of multiple typical cookie cutter watch review vids. Definitely helps me reengage and rethink my collecting assumptions and appreciation. So thanks!
Your videos are great, your points seem thoroughly thought out and poignant, and focus on the very really emotional tolls and caveats of the hobby that are worth raising awareness. Kudos, will continue following your channel
Just received my salmon dial MR01 (waitlisted since Feb). Looks great my wife’s wrist on the beads of rice bracelet. Looks great on my wrist on the green strap (or the blue alligator Molequin strap I also bought for it).
I'm a sucker for a beautiful design. The movement doesn't bother me as much as long as they have guarantee. I mean what good is there for a watch if it looks ugly or disproportionate? It can have a highly advanced movement yet no one will care because watches are meant to be seen. This is how Baltic turn rocks into gold.
Great review Bruce! I think the music in the intro should be your permanent choice! I too own several grails, but they never permanently satisfy. Stuff can never satisfy our God-shaped void in our chest.
You nailed it Bruce! It’s definitely a never ending journey. You do get numb when you own a bunch of grail watches though. At the end of the day it’s all about how it makes you feel
I bought a preowned, yellow gold JLC Reverso Grand Taille yesterday. A Reverso has been on my grail list for quite some time and I lucked into this one for a pretty good price. I have to admit, that because of its size, I'm a bit disappointed with it and I'm having a twinge of buyer's remorse - I'm experiencing the phrase, "You should never meet your heroes." 😒 I know that I will grow to like it more, but its not resonating like I thought it would right now. Because of this, I will be stepping away from adding any more watches to my collection in the foreseeable future so that I can appreciate this new piece and the rest of my collection....but the Baltic is 🔥
"the watch has to be really really special in order for it to make it into my rotation. There has to be something very very special about it and this Baltic MR01 is just that and has been taking time away from my Rolex and my Tudor and my Tissot......" 4:43 " Yeah so I'll be giving this one away..... " 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
I have 60 watches now, and I have no plans to stop; I still have some other watches on my list. Regarding the sizes of watches, one of the most annoying complaints for "grown men" is to read/listen "how small my wrist is for a watch that has 2mms more than my childish body", it's pathetic to hear that from grown men.
I have reached watch Nirvana. Made my last watch purchase yesterday. Now it's just about enjoying the watches I have. Looking to sell one or two but other than that, I am done with the collection.
I missed the pre-order for this and I've been kicking myself for it, so you've earned yourself a patron so I can get a chance at this beauty. Vintage appeal and as close to high horology as I think I can get. Speaking of, that PRX chrono looks like it can go toe to toe with something like the Overseas. Wondering if you've done a direct comparison!
Totally agree … watch collectors in general are somewhat obsessive … I know I am little bit to the extent that I buy new watch and after 1 week I want another “new” watch (regardless of the price) I just want another new watch to wear…. It seems like we all have self awareness but deep down we don’t want to change that but neverthelessThis needs to change 😅
“Some days I’m like you. I wear a Seiko, or a Tissot” *shows $2000 Tissot Chronograph* 😂 All good Bruce! I find wearing the same watch for an extended period will help you appreciate the other ones when you come back to them. I have about 50 watches, trying to wear a new one every day is exhaustinf
I have the same problem. Haha. Recently I realized I never been in love with a watch like when I had only one watch when I was younger. As I age I continued to buy watches and now I have a notable collection, I started to feel desensitized
Don’t get me wrong this is really one of the best looking (or dress watch) watches for the value, but the only thing thats a negative for me is the Hesalite crystal they use. I think I prefer them using a sapphire crystal. Its already an appealing aesthetics watch, but I value durability and I don’t want to ever worry scratching the hesalite crystal. Yes, I also own the MR01.
I want often find myself wanting a micro brand watch with a 5000a. Baltic, Bodery. But I often end up finding a 14k vintage Swiss piece in similar price point I can't resist instead...
Baltic is definitely a cool microbrand. Should also check out VENEZIANICO, their new designs and special editions are definitely an interesting addition to the sub $1000 market!
Venezianico is still bad, either BK7 crystal bezel instead of ceramic for most of their watches, and when they use ceramic or Tungsten then the watch size is a massive 42mm with around 50mm lug to lug!! and very thick closed back case.. They should really refine their watches.. A 40mm , 12,5mm max thickness, 46mm lug to lug without overhanging male links with SW 200 movement on open back or heck closed back for 700euros!! is more than fair.
It was a toss up between this watch and the Mont Blanc Heritage Minerva in Salmon. The Mont Blanc was more, but you get a much nicer movement and some real heritage. It has an image of the Minerva factory on the back.
I dont care that much about the decoration of the micro rotor movement, I care about its reliability and the thin overall profile of the watch. I think the unsigned crown was a big miss and the fact that it doesnt come with a more robust thickly domed sapphire crystal is also a missed opportunity. Yes vintage looking hesalite is passable but I dont want to deal with rebuffing the "glass" every now and then.
Big hype behind this one. This is the fifth review I've seen today. Baltic did a beautiful job on this model. Sadly they're already plastered all over ebay at 2k a pop. I'm so over all of this nonsense.
I see yema are producing their own micro rotor movement watch on Kickstarter. They claim it's 80% French 20% Swiss. Will be interesting to see what they come up with..
Baltic has certainly had s lot of hype leading up to this pre sale. Then I think about it having most or all Chinese components, and you can get Ali express brands with the same movement, similar numerals and case for hundreds less without having to wait 6 months. Usually the counter argument is the Chinese watches are cheap imitations of Submariner etc,. But in this case is Baltic the copy?
I bought their Aquascaphe Classic a couple of years ago Bruce. A fantastic made watch with very good & detailed finishing, backed up with great service!👍🏼🇦🇺
*How accurately can this movement be made to run? My guess would be COSC or better and for that additional cost at/by a good watchmaker, this is a FANTASTIC value. The movement is beautiful.*
I am not really feeling Baltic, they are on the cusp with me, I want to like them but there is something about their watches that just distracts me. I did like Baltics sector watches but the problem that I have is that there are so many other brands that offer the same designs and have done it many years longer like Omega, and Longines, Baltic like Vario does it at a more affordable price but I feel like I would be settling instead of getting what I really want. Yema is coming out with a sports watch a micro-rotor, it just seems that these smaller brands are going with what is currently popular and not paving their own way. I think this is what separates brands like Omega and Longines from Baltic and Yema. By the way Baltic and Yema are French companies is there any relationship between the two now that they both have micro rotors. Yema is saying that it is their own manufacturer? Now I am not comparing Yema to Baltic, Yema is an older brand but they both play in the same affordable watch arena
I seem to go through various stages of Watch snobbery every time I open my UA-cam app 😂 And this watch is beautiful, but won’t be buying it because 🇨🇳. Put an ETA or Sellita in it and raise the price, and I’ll buy one.
I'm not impressed with this watch, when you can go and get the same movement in a Chinese watch, much cheaper, especially since this watch doesn't have a sapphire crystal. I think Baltic cheated us.
I think the one thing that a lot of us collectors struggle from is even when we get a grail level piece, we often keep looking for the next one. I’ve been trying really hard to just sit back and enjoy my collection and not look for something new. It’s super difficult BTW!! 😆But I know I’ll never be satisfied if I’m never content with what I have.
It doesn't help when we watch channels like this! Haha
Hhaha between your channel and golf watch and equipment recommendations and this channel, what hope do we have? Any audiophiles here? LOL
I do keep buying new pieces after getting my grail, but in a slower pace and only much cheaper watches.
Look up the hedonic treadmill.
It's the collector's gene, the hunter-gatherer quest to track down and aquire. I've often looked at it as a flaw in my personality, but lately tried to accept this is who I am, just trying to look at a potential purchase and ask myself if I'll still like it in 10 years, 20 years...
that movement is so gorgeous! I would wear this watch upside down half the time :)
This looks great on you Bruce! Currently wearing a 32mm Cartier Santos. Small watches are fine and look good. I’m 250 lbs and have a 7.5-8inch wrist. I think a lot of men are super insecure and think they’re way bigger than they are. Your watch doesn’t diminish or define your masculinity.
Finding gems in the micro brand or non hyped watch space is a far more satisfying style of collecting these days I find.
You're right about collectors in general. I've been through vintage firearms, vintage cars, vintage guitars, modified guitars, vintage guitar amps, homebuilt guitar amps, vintage pocket watches, obscure watches, luxury watches, etc. It gets reinforced when there's a hunt involved to acquire a piece, and when the piece is related to a strong personal interest area. Usually your wallet or a significant other puts the brakes on your passion. When I've had several of these hobbies going on at the same time, it helped to go cold turkey on one and throw myself into another. Or just forcing yourself to stop for a while, and see if interest wanes after a time. That last method especially helps when the items are expensive. Discipline.
I completely relate and this is largely the reason I haven’t started a watch review channel. I really enjoy watch collecting and I don’t want collector fatigue. I’m learning to just enjoy the in-between-purchase journey while trying to continually create the perfect small (10+/-) collection to keep things fresh.
I love the Baltic, just wish it was 38 for my wrist. Excellent vid as usual! 😎👍🏼
Man you're the GOAT. Been watching a long time and lover your narration on Desensitized and cant blame you for it at all. Love the content and keep up great work. Can't believe you are only at 95.5 k right now. I've watched a lot of watch content and you deserve the most views for your diverse and beautiful reviews of watches. Thank you !!!
It is a beautiful Calatrava-styled dress watch. 36mm is the appropriate size for a dress watch. The only reason I did not buy one is there are an unusually high number of failures of the movement.
I've been seeing this pop up in the baltic adverts all week and now here is the video at alast!
I bought mine also with the salmon dial, green strap, and beads of rice bracelet. I love everything about this watch and couldn't resist the price. Amazing dial & movement!
Good self-analysis, Bruce. With watches, you're like Don Juan was with women. Love them all.
I think that you are missing out Bruce. It's like this, is it not better to have your own dog whom you love and loves you. Out every day together walking the hills you build a bond and a history. Rather than to be a professional dog walker, shepherding many dogs daily whom you may like but never love. Fabulous channel by the way.
The dial and applied indices look amazing
For sub $600, that movement looks amazing. There are many sub $2000 movements that don't look as good...looking at you Oris.
Really loving your video content lately Bruce. So refreshing. And I would gladly spend over 10 minutes on one of your vids, in lieu of multiple typical cookie cutter watch review vids. Definitely helps me reengage and rethink my collecting assumptions and appreciation. So thanks!
Love that Baltic, great look but way to small for me.
Your videos are great, your points seem thoroughly thought out and poignant, and focus on the very really emotional tolls and caveats of the hobby that are worth raising awareness. Kudos, will continue following your channel
Just received my salmon dial MR01 (waitlisted since Feb). Looks great my wife’s wrist on the beads of rice bracelet. Looks great on my wrist on the green strap (or the blue alligator Molequin strap I also bought for it).
I'm a sucker for a beautiful design. The movement doesn't bother me as much as long as they have guarantee. I mean what good is there for a watch if it looks ugly or disproportionate? It can have a highly advanced movement yet no one will care because watches are meant to be seen. This is how Baltic turn rocks into gold.
Great review Bruce! I think the music in the intro should be your permanent choice! I too own several grails, but they never permanently satisfy. Stuff can never satisfy our God-shaped void in our chest.
You nailed it Bruce! It’s definitely a never ending journey. You do get numb when you own a bunch of grail watches though. At the end of the day it’s all about how it makes you feel
I bought a preowned, yellow gold JLC Reverso Grand Taille yesterday. A Reverso has been on my grail list for quite some time and I lucked into this one for a pretty good price. I have to admit, that because of its size, I'm a bit disappointed with it and I'm having a twinge of buyer's remorse - I'm experiencing the phrase, "You should never meet your heroes." 😒 I know that I will grow to like it more, but its not resonating like I thought it would right now. Because of this, I will be stepping away from adding any more watches to my collection in the foreseeable future so that I can appreciate this new piece and the rest of my collection....but the Baltic is 🔥
The polished numerals are my favorite feature!
"the watch has to be really really special in order for it to make it into my rotation. There has to be something very very special about it and this Baltic MR01 is just that and has been taking time away from my Rolex and my Tudor and my Tissot......"
4:43 " Yeah so I'll be giving this one away..... "
🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
I have 60 watches now, and I have no plans to stop; I still have some other watches on my list. Regarding the sizes of watches, one of the most annoying complaints for "grown men" is to read/listen "how small my wrist is for a watch that has 2mms more than my childish body", it's pathetic to hear that from grown men.
It's a never ending journey for most of us watch fans, and as soon as you realize that things will get better...go with the flow and relax...
I have reached watch Nirvana. Made my last watch purchase yesterday. Now it's just about enjoying the watches I have. Looking to sell one or two but other than that, I am done with the collection.
Great review, Bruce. Watch is beautiful, dial is gorgeous.
one thing you didn't talk about was the bracelet. how does it wear, how adjustable is it, etc.?
You’re a hard working watch youtuber, that’s for sure. I shudder to think how much hair gel you get through for these vids! 😘
I missed the pre-order for this and I've been kicking myself for it, so you've earned yourself a patron so I can get a chance at this beauty. Vintage appeal and as close to high horology as I think I can get. Speaking of, that PRX chrono looks like it can go toe to toe with something like the Overseas. Wondering if you've done a direct comparison!
Totally agree … watch collectors in general are somewhat obsessive … I know I am little bit to the extent that I buy new watch and after 1 week I want another “new” watch (regardless of the price) I just want another new watch to wear…. It seems like we all have self awareness but deep down we don’t want to change that but neverthelessThis needs to change 😅
“Some days I’m like you. I wear a Seiko, or a Tissot”
*shows $2000 Tissot Chronograph*
😂 All good Bruce! I find wearing the same watch for an extended period will help you appreciate the other ones when you come back to them. I have about 50 watches, trying to wear a new one every day is exhaustinf
I have the same problem. Haha. Recently I realized I never been in love with a watch like when I had only one watch when I was younger. As I age I continued to buy watches and now I have a notable collection, I started to feel desensitized
Nice Baltic MR01 Salmon 😍
Don’t get me wrong this is really one of the best looking (or dress watch) watches for the value, but the only thing thats a negative for me is the Hesalite crystal they use. I think I prefer them using a sapphire crystal. Its already an appealing aesthetics watch, but I value durability and I don’t want to ever worry scratching the hesalite crystal. Yes, I also own the MR01.
I want often find myself wanting a micro brand watch with a 5000a. Baltic, Bodery. But I often end up finding a 14k vintage Swiss piece in similar price point I can't resist instead...
Great review, Bruce, and thanks for making this available to us “Patreons” in December! Would love to win this!
Baltic is definitely a cool microbrand. Should also check out VENEZIANICO, their new designs and special editions are definitely an interesting addition to the sub $1000 market!
Venezianico is still bad, either BK7 crystal bezel instead of ceramic for most of their watches, and when they use ceramic or Tungsten then the watch size is a massive 42mm with around 50mm lug to lug!! and very thick closed back case..
They should really refine their watches..
A 40mm , 12,5mm max thickness, 46mm lug to lug without overhanging male links with SW 200 movement on open back or heck closed back for 700euros!! is more than fair.
I lost a lot of money trying to reach the " watch" and I could not but sell it after a year or two including an AT, DJ ,and an Avenger
It was a toss up between this watch and the Mont Blanc Heritage Minerva in Salmon. The Mont Blanc was more, but you get a much nicer movement and some real heritage. It has an image of the Minerva factory on the back.
36mm is a classic men’s watch size. Go Baltic!
Well decorated modern micro rotor movement on a vintage style and sized watch @ 6% the cost of GO? Sign me up! Because watch addiction.
I dont care that much about the decoration of the micro rotor movement, I care about its reliability and the thin overall profile of the watch.
I think the unsigned crown was a big miss and the fact that it doesnt come with a more robust thickly domed sapphire crystal is also a missed opportunity.
Yes vintage looking hesalite is passable but I dont want to deal with rebuffing the "glass" every now and then.
I ordered the salmon dail and just missed the cut off for November shipping. June 2023 is only 8 months away....
Big hype behind this one. This is the fifth review I've seen today. Baltic did a beautiful job on this model. Sadly they're already plastered all over ebay at 2k a pop. I'm so over all of this nonsense.
Wow, Bruce! I really love that Baltic. It has enough wrist presence for the size. Great review
The only problem I have with this watch is the argue with meself which one should I buy salmon or blue dial
I see yema are producing their own micro rotor movement watch on Kickstarter. They claim it's 80% French 20% Swiss. Will be interesting to see what they come up with..
You're a watch addict, nothing wrong with that, as long as your main responsibilities are satisfied.
Baltic has certainly had s lot of hype leading up to this pre sale. Then I think about it having most or all Chinese components, and you can get Ali express brands with the same movement, similar numerals and case for hundreds less without having to wait 6 months. Usually the counter argument is the Chinese watches are cheap imitations of Submariner etc,. But in this case is Baltic the copy?
The only one to rule them all is the Explorer 36 mm.🤩💪
What about availability of these? I feel the same about never being satisfied with my collection btw!
These sell on the 3rd party sites for $900, and used for $600+,
I bought their Aquascaphe Classic a couple of years ago Bruce. A fantastic made watch with very good & detailed finishing, backed up with great service!👍🏼🇦🇺
"We say we want
Deal breakers... plastic crystal, 36mm, questionable movement. If they fixed these issues this would be on the buy list as the dial is stunning.
Cool watch
*How accurately can this movement be made to run? My guess would be COSC or better and for that additional cost at/by a good watchmaker, this is a FANTASTIC value. The movement is beautiful.*
At least it is written in it: 5 positions. 🤔
Apparently this movement has a stated accuracy of -/+ 20 seconds per day
I am not really feeling Baltic, they are on the cusp with me, I want to like them but there is something about their watches that just distracts me. I did like Baltics sector watches but the problem that I have is that there are so many other brands that offer the same designs and have done it many years longer like Omega, and Longines, Baltic like Vario does it at a more affordable price but I feel like I would be settling instead of getting what I really want. Yema is coming out with a sports watch a micro-rotor, it just seems that these smaller brands are going with what is currently popular and not paving their own way. I think this is what separates brands like Omega and Longines from Baltic and Yema. By the way Baltic and Yema are French companies is there any relationship between the two now that they both have micro rotors. Yema is saying that it is their own manufacturer? Now I am not comparing Yema to Baltic, Yema is an older brand but they both play in the same affordable watch arena
I seem to go through various stages of Watch snobbery every time I open my UA-cam app 😂
And this watch is beautiful, but won’t be buying it because 🇨🇳. Put an ETA or Sellita in it and raise the price, and I’ll buy one.
I bought one
36 is the only thing stopping me from getting it i own 2 36mm dress watches and they arent that versatile plus oi enjoy a little bigger watches
I think the bracelet isn't very nice on the Baltic, it looks cheap and doesn't fit the watxh design, leather strap is easily the way to go.
I'm not impressed with this watch, when you can go and get the same movement in a Chinese watch, much cheaper, especially since this watch doesn't have a sapphire crystal. I think Baltic cheated us.
Spoken like a true addict 😜
This is a dressed up Aliexpress watch
Just the movement in this case.
Snob
It's not only u , it's the brands who turned art into an unfortunate business that used to be for the ppl and now just for profit ...
*Profit is the foundation of all investment. Without the former, the latter would not be.*
@@joeskeptical4762 I am not against profit , I am against biting the hand that feeds u)
@@shaq6772*
@@joeskeptical4762 exactly , apart of all the obvious things u mentioned, there should be some sentiment too)
Do you have access to Montblanc Iced Sea diver? Would love to hear your take on it.
Rotor rattle really let's the watch down. It'd drives me mad