In 1953 Sir Edmund Hillary and Tensing Norgay became the first men to climb Everest. The story is quite well-known among watch enthusiasts because it is widely shared by the market leader: Rolex equipped the climbers with Oyster Perpetuals designed especially for the event. This is the genesis of the famous Explorer model. But the Swiss watchmaker does not tell us that it was not alone in the affair. Smiths also equipped the expedition and gossip goes so far as to say that the English brand was on the climbers' wrists when the Rolexes were sleeping at the bottom of the bag. Disappeared during the quartz crisis, Smiths has been revitalized quite recently and works on relatively small productions. Ironically, part of their collection is made up of tributes to the Explorer, which I find quite regrettable. This PRS-25 Everest Expedition is therefore the direct descendant of the vintage A404 model, the same one worn by Hillary. The dial, very similar to the 1950s watch, has been housed in a 36mm vintage Explorer-type case with domed sides and pierced lugs. The build quality is excellent: sapphire crystal, thermally blued hands, Miyota 9000 series movement... in short, exemplary specifications for a watch in this range (less than €500). And it's not just a good watch. Both historic and confidential, this Smiths is an extremely interesting object to own. A desirable piece but desired by no one: it's the Explorer dedicated to not shining in society, the one you wear to wink at yourself.

PRS-25 Everest Expedition

I had a brief. I was looking for a GMT that I could take on trips abroad. A tool watch that could be worn without hassle and pick up a few scratches, affordable and unidentifiable at first glance. I shortlisted my alternatives, visited the Baltic showroom, spoiler alert, I bought an Aquascaphe GMT. In use, its reduced proportions and neo-vintage design make it an extremely versatile, even elegant, watch, so much so that it is probably the one I wear most often. A bit of luck on my choice, given that 3 years later I have not traveled anywhere. I was looking to tick a single box: in the end it will tick them all.

I was looking to check a box.

In 1971, the Rolex Explorer II ref 1655 appeared: a professional watch designed for caving, with a 24-hour hand allowing explorers spending several days in the dark to differentiate between AM and PM. In 1984, Rolex replaced its model with the reference 16550, the 3085 movement that equipped it allowing independent adjustment of the 24-hour hand. The speleologists' watch now made it possible to track a second time zone and became a traveler's watch. I see a connection with Plato's Allegory of the Cave: with its GMT complication, the Explorer II is an invitation to come out of your cave and discover a dazzling world; as dazzling as the new light dial with which it is adorned. I decided to acquire the following reference, the 16570 called "Polar" in its latest iteration with the engraved flange and the 3186 movement. I was seduced by the alliance between its design very close to the historic 16550 and the overall comfort of a modern watch. Professional but unconventional Rolex, light and discreet but sporty and radical; its paradoxes make it a special piece, perfectly superfluous and therefore absolutely necessary in my collection.

Rolex Explorer II ref 16570 "Polar"

The brand Baltic was created in 2017 during a Kickstarter campaign by Etienne Malec and his associates in Paris, France. Inspired by the aesthetics of watches from the 1940s, this brand pays homage to &Eacute;tienne's father, a great fan of watches, photography and vintage automobiles. The name of the brand Baltic is also a tribute to the Polish origins of his family.
Their ambition is to create timeless watches, to be worn and kept for future generations. The range includes models such as the Baltic Bicompax 001, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/baltic/aquascaphe"> Baltic Aquascape</a>, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/baltic/mr01"> Baltic MR01</a>, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/baltic/hms_002"> Baltic HMS 002</a> and the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/baltic/tricompax"> Baltic Tricompax</a>.
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does a Baltic watch cost?</h2>
The prices of Baltic watches change and differ depending on the model. Most cost between &euro; 600 and &euro; 800 depending on the models and finishes. A <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/baltic/hermetique_tourer">Baltic Herm&eacute;tic Tourer</a> costs &euro; 660 whatever its color, while a<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/baltic/tricompax/review/64b9c5b3fdaf39766d963968"> Baltic Tricompax Panda Chronograph</a> is sold &euro; 1,902. The second-hand market is also an opportunity to look at to find the Baltic that suits you at an even more attractive price.
<h2 dir="ltr">Baltic: Timeless watches to wear every day</h2>
Baltic is an independent brand that produces several thousand watches per year, all models combined. To choose a Baltic that best suits you, the Dialicious owners' reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real customer experience.
Check out the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_french_watch_brands"> Ranking of the best French watch brands</a>, including Baltic.
(Updated January 2024)

Since I bought the Baltic Aquascaphe GMT two years ago, it has become my favorite watch for everyday use. 

The precision and reliability of the Swiss automatic movement is reassuring, and the GMT function is very practical for me. The stainless steel bracelet is sturdy and comfortable, and the folding clasp ensures optimum security. The 200-meter water resistance allows me to enjoy various activities without worry. 

In short, this watch is pure pleasure.

BALTIC AQUASCAPHE GMT

I acquired this Baltic in search of a GMT, a complication that I no longer had in my watch box, which does not require me to call my banker or bribe an AD. After examining many models in this price range (the offer is plentiful!), I finally chose this beautiful Baltic, the first in the Aquascaphe collection equipped with a Swiss movement (Soprod) and, incidentally, the date. This watch is extremely well designed: It is comfortable, equipped with a planisphere on the back to remind you of the time zones and help with setting, even if it is not a "real" GMT offering independent setting of the hour hand. Its case is entirely brushed, except, interestingly, under the notched bezel which turns with just the right amount of resistance. I find that the glossy dial, the finesse of its texts and the domed sapphire crystal are the highlights of the show. They give a real personality to the watch which is intended to be vintage-inspired. The bezel is made of sapphire, and the luminescent numerals are very pleasant in the dark, complementing the luminescence of the Indexes and hands. The crown is marked with a "B" on a grained background, a small detail that confirms the care taken by Baltic in the aesthetics of its model. Finally, the grain of rice bracelet, even if it does not have the aesthetics of an Oyster or a Jubilee for me, is extremely comfortable. I also acquired the Baltic tropic bracelet with pin buckle. Both come with quick-release spring bars that make changing the bracelet a formality, which is very nice (in addition, the case has pierced lugs). In short, I have little to criticize about this Baltic, which I really like to wear and which even allows itself to overshadow my Submariner. At most I can note its weight and thickness, which the shape of the case hides quite well once on the wrist. In terms of the movement, I note a very clear notching of the crown, a great flexibility of the winding, and a precision that does not call for observations. To conclude, I must admit that this is my first watch of a French brand (even if it is less so than a Péquignet caliber royal), and that this Baltic Aquascaphe GMT presents for me an excellent pleasure/quality/price ratio. I had hesitated with a Yéma Superman 500 GMT, the choice having been made only on details.

A very nice balance, if not innovative.

My new Baltic is a small toolwatch with its neo vintage style, I particularly like the domed glass distorting the dial according to its orientation, the orange insert is quite well chosen and is not without reminding us of a certain GMT a little more known which would have patinated with time. The case back with the different time zones is quite nice. The rubber strap is pretty and comfortable and gives a slightly more sporty look to the watch. Small flaw to be a real toolwatch, it is only waterproof to 100m and therefore not recommended for games or water sports.

Gmt Baltic neo-vintage

Looking for a GMT watch at a reasonable price, I naturally turned to this French brand that knows how to reinterpret the codes of vintage with taste and sobriety
The dial is deep black with a very good level of luminescence on both the dial and the bezel
The visit and trying on of the watch in their showroom is worth the trip even if ordering online is also a good way to acquire the beauty
Good quality tropical book bracelet also possible to replace their rice grain bracelet with many micro adjustments and especially equipped with quick pumps as standard on steel bracelet
Also well decorated case back
Sober blue GMT hand that does the job
Bracelet photographed here not the original one a more comfortable rubber tropic B
Two downsides to note: hard bezel and crown on the contrary seems fragile when you turn it, a known problem at Baltic

Balticly yours - from GMT with love

La marque SYE [Start Your Engine] a &eacute;t&eacute; cr&eacute;&eacute;e en 2020 par Arnaud Pezeron &agrave; c&ocirc;t&eacute; de Paris en France. La marque inaugure le Sport Tailoring au poignet. Elle propose des montres sport-chic de caract&egrave;re, fiables, ludiques et abordables inspir&eacute;es de l'univers de la m&eacute;canique auto-moto. La gamme comprend deux mod&egrave;les distincts, la <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/sye/mot1on_automatic_24">SYE MOT1ON Automatic 24 </a>et la <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/sye/mot1on_chronograph">SYE MOT1ON Chronograph</a>.
Cette marque embarque une innovation sur le changement du bracelet disponible en acier ou en cuir. La montre n'offre aucun espace entre le bracelet et la boite d&ucirc; &agrave; l&rsquo;absence de cornes, ce qui am&eacute;liore son confort et sa portabilit&eacute;.
<h2 class="p1">Combien co&ucirc;te une montre&nbsp;SYE&nbsp;?</h2>
La gamme SYE comporte deux mod&egrave;les disponibles sur le site de la marque : La SYE MOT1ON Automatic 24 est propos&eacute;e &agrave; partir de 750&euro;. La SYE MOT1ON Chronograph est propos&eacute;e &agrave; partir de 599 &euro;.
SYE est ind&eacute;pendante et produit plusieurs centaines montres par an tous mod&egrave;les confondus. Pour choisir une SYE qui vous correspond le mieux, les avis clients Dialicious sont une pr&eacute;cieuse ressource pour &eacute;valuer chacun des diff&eacute;rents mod&egrave;les &agrave; travers l'exp&eacute;rience r&eacute;elle des clients.
Consultez le <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/top/les_meilleures_marques_de_montres_francaises">Classement des meilleures marques de montres fran&ccedil;aises</a> dont SYE fait partie.
(Mise &agrave; jour Novembre 2023)

The brand SYE [Start Your Engine] was created in 2020 by Arnaud Pezeron near Paris in France. The brand is introducing Sport Tailoring on the wrist. It offers sporty-chic watches with character, reliability, fun and affordability inspired by the world of car and motorcycle mechanics. The range includes two distinct models, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/sye/mot1on_automatic_24"> SYE MOT1ON Automatic 24</a> and the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/sye/mot1on_chronograph"> SYE MOT1ON Chronograph</a>.
This brand has an innovation in changing the bracelet available in steel or leather. The watch offers no space between the bracelet and the case due to the absence of lugs, which improves its comfort and portability.
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does a SYE watch cost?</h2>
The SYE range includes two models available on the brand's website: The SYE MOT1ON Automatic 24 is offered from &euro; 750. The SYE MOT1ON Chronograph is offered from &euro; 599.
SYE is independent and produces several hundred watches per year, all models combined. To choose an SYE that best suits you, the Dialicious owners' reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real customer experience.
Check out the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_french_watch_brands">Ranking of the best French watch brands</a>, including SYE.
(Updated November 2023)

Baltic Aquascaphe GMT Owner Review : Functional, elegant and adventurous

I was looking to check a box.

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