The Baltic Hermétique Tourer is a field watch with mid-century looks and modern specs
Fergus Nash- The Hermétique Tourer is an adventurous take on a field watch, paying attention to Baltic’s vintage aesthetics
- It’s water resistant to 150m even with a slender 10.8mm thickness, including a 2.5mm domed sapphire crystal.
- The 37mm diameter case houses a Miyota 9000-series movement.
As one of the first superstar microbrands, Baltic have forged an identity built upon vintage charm and excellent value. The Aquascaphe diver put them on the map, and releases such as the MR01 and Tricompax chronograph expanded their catalogue’s versatility immensely. The new Baltic Hermétique Tourer could be described as their more casual take on a field watch after the HMS, however its sophisticated sensibilities are definitely still intact.
We usually wouldn’t begin by talking about measurements, however, the Baltic Hermétique Tourer’s 37mm diameter will either turn you away or utterly make your day. Dipping below the 38mm threshold sends a pretty strong signal that this is a watch with vintage style in mind , reinforcing Baltic’s decision to downsize the latest HMS and Bicompax. Although it might still be drastically larger than period-accurate sizes, 37mm watches definitely bring an old-fashioned effect. Whether or not you believe your wrists are suited to this size, it suits the watch’s attitude perfectly. The 46mm lug-to-lug distance still provides a decent amount of reach for wrist presence, without alienating those with smaller wrists.
Even with the Baltic Hermétique Tourer’s slenderness of 10.8mm (including the highly-domed crystal), the watch boasts 150 metres of water resistance. This highlights the adventurous nature behind its design, with a sapphire crystal for scratch resistance and the 20mm FKM rubber strap that will be comfortable in any context or condition. Alternatively, the watch is available on a choice of two steel bracelets. The flat-link version features polished outer links and brushed centres, giving it a bit more of a rugged edge. The beads-of-rice bracelet is the more decorative choice, with the polished beads bringing out the reflective highlights of the bezel.
The case itself definitely has some mid-century flair, harkening back to some of the experimental sports watches of the 1950s rather than the established divers and chronographs of the following decade. Circular brushing around the lugs hones in on the tool watch vibe that Baltic are going for, and the crown is sunken into the case so it can’t get knocked about haphazardly. It also keeps the watch symmetrical, which is a bonus for those who wear their watches on the right wrist.
The dial of the Baltic Hermétique Tourer is balanced well, infusing a lot of character into minimalist elements. The Arabic numerals at the quarters work with the syringe hands to give it that vintage, quasi-militaristic field watch personality. At the same time, the luminous batons and dots add a little bit of contemporary energy to the dial’s perimeter. They’re made of quite thick slabs of luminous material, either green C3 or blue BGW9 Super-LumiNova depending on your chosen dial colour. The four choices include a jungle green, ocean blue, sandy beige or chocolate brown. Each of those variations will also have a colour-matched strap if you choose the rubber tropic option.
Ensuring that the Hermétique Tourer is still a value proposition, Baltic have opted to use the Miyota 9039 movement. As one of Miyota’s premium calibers, it features a smooth 4Hz beat rate and automatic winding for a 42-hour power reserve. Those specifications are fairly standard these days, but the 3.9mm height is what helps the watch to be so thin, and still water resistant. They have an accuracy tolerance within -10/+30 seconds per day, and they are generally known to be reliable. The solid steel caseback is quite simple, with circular brushing and an etched stamp denoting some of the specifications and the model name.
The Baltic Hermétique Tourer pricing and availability:
The first 200 pieces of the Baltic Hermétique Tourer will be numbered withinin the caseback etching. They’ll be available from October 10th 2023 at 4:00PM CEST, with delivery starting from November. Time+Tide are an Australian exclusive authorised dealer for Baltic Watches. These watches will also be available for pre-order via the Time+Tide Shop, with delivery starting from November.
Price: A$1,050 (FKM rubber)
| Brand | Baltic |
| Model | Hermétique Tourer |
| Case Dimensions | 37mm (D) x 10.8mm (T) x 46mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 150 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Green, blue, beige or brown |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Strap | FKM rubber tropic or steel bracelet |
| Movement | Miyota 9039, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | For pre-orders |
| Price | A$1,050 (FKM rubber) |