Baltic shows that the stone dial trend is not over, adding a quartet of exotic new dials to the Prismic collection
Pietro PillaWe’ve seen numerous releases in the past few years featuring natural stone dials, a trend that has occurred at every budget level, utilising different stones and varying degrees of quality. Some will say we’ve seen enough, but for me, it all comes down to the way this idea is carried out. French brand Baltic got in on the trend early when it celebrated its three worldwide showrooms with three location-exclusive, limited-edition takes on its Prismic cocktail watch, and now, Baltic has continued this stone dial tradition with the opening of its first boutique in Paris at 20 Rue Danielle Casanova.
While Baltic’s other locations have been appointment-only and not open to walk-in traffic, the brand’s Paris boutique is positioned just a couple of steps from Place Vendôme: the place to be in the French capital for a watch shop. To celebrate, the Prismic collection has been expanded with four new permanent stone dial additions, showing the trend for stone dials is not over, nor is it overdone. I had the chance to get hands-on with these four new stone dial Prismics ahead of launch – here’s what I thought about them!
Four dial colours, four unusual stones
With so many dials made from lapis lazuli, onyx or tiger’s eye out there in the market right now, any brand looking to unveil a new stone dial needs to set itself apart in some way. Baltic has done exactly that, not by changing the dial design, which stays the same as the previous editions, but by choosing some rather unusual stones. These are not new by any means, as it would be quite difficult to invent something that’s been around for millions of years, but they’re a rare instance at this price point.
While from afar, the dial colours follow the ordinary code for modern wristwatches in blue and green, coming closer, you’ll see that there is much more depth than that. The two blues, in dumortierite for a more subtle texture, and in pietersite for the unexpected choice, draw you in and invite you to explore them further. The second one is the only one of the four with a higher price, as the same veins that make the stone so interesting also make it more fragile, making production slightly harder.
For the green, the world of vintage watches serves as inspiration. It may seem a rather recent trend in terms of dial colours, but it has been sparingly used in the past, using the same material chosen in this instance: bloodstone, which gets its name from the iron oxide inclusions found on the green jasper base. Lastly, the most unexpected and brightest of them all is crafted from pink albite, which, as the name suggests, has a certain flesh-coloured hue: out of all the offerings, it’s the one with the most subtle texture, for a soft, almost uninterrupted shade of pink.
The cocktail-inspired case
I’m going to say a quick word about the case as well. Even though there are no changes from the initial collection, I think it’s worth mentioning the complex construction that allows for such diverse finishings. The 36 mm case is, in fact, composed of five different elements: the bezel, lugs and case back are made of stainless steel, while the middle case is made of grade 5 titanium. The lightness of the latter is not the reason why this material was chosen, but rather its slightly darker colour compared to steel, especially when finely sandblasted as in this case. This adds further contrast to the rest of the watch, giving it a level of complexity that invites further exploration.
Although the cocktail inspiration is strong, as are its sparkling aspects, the case is not fully polished to emphasise the design choices. Both the size and overall look draw you back to the 1920s and 1930s, but with a modern look that doesn’t look out of place in the collection of the young brand (or a young collector).
A reliable movement
For the movement, the French brand still relies on the well-tested ETA Peseux 7001, which is the only option for affordable ebauche movements at that 2.5mm thickness. It is a hand-wound movement with 42 hours of power reserve, which has been around since 1971 in all sorts of watches. The finish chosen is traditional, with côtes de Genève decorations, blued screws and a branded ratchet wheel, all visible through the sapphire crystal case back. It is not intended to be the star of the show, but it is a pleasant addition that allows you to see the wheels in motion when winding the watch.
Closing thoughts
I think these are a nice addition to the permanent collection, and while I had the chance to see them all in person in Dubai, I specifically asked for the bloodstone to have in to review. It’s not the most striking stone dial watch ever made, and I don’t have a particular affinity for the colour green, but it’s the one that changes the most with the light. From almost black in low, indirect lighting to an almost translucent emerald green when directly illuminated by natural light. The iron oxide inclusions add just enough detail without detracting from the simple, but not simplistic, design of the dial.
Each option has a distinct yet unique character: those who prefer the busy textures of pietersite may be less impressed by the softness of albite and vice versa, but it is wonderful that they can exist on their own, framed by a case that not only houses the stones but also has a design bold enough to stand alongside them.
Baltic Prismic Stone Dial collection pricing and availability
The Baltic Prismic Stone Dial collection is available from Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 at 4 pm Paris time as part of the brand’s permanent collection. Price: €1,300 (pink albite, bloodstone or dumortierite on leather), €1,360 (pink albite, bloodstone or dumortierite on bracelet), €1,450 (pietersite on leather), €1,510 (pietersite on bracelet)
| Brand | Baltic |
| Model | Prismic Stone Dial |
| Case Dimensions | 36mm (D) x 9.2mm (T) x 44mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel and grade 5 titanium |
| Water Resistance | 30 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Pietersite, pink albite, bloodstone or dumortierite |
| Strap | Grained leather strap, pin buckle Steel mesh bracelet, folding clasp |
| Movement | ETA Peseux 7001, manual-winding |
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | €1,300 on leather (€1,450 for pietersite) €1,360 on bracelet (€1,510 for pietersite) |