Baltic Watches: Overpriced Trash? or Underrated Treasure? (Tricompax Review) 

Really nice-looking piece. My 1 design issue is with the 12 on the dial. Having 1 single number on the dial is a look I'm not a huge fan of. I would have preferred maybe just a double index at the 12, and to have the Baltic name pushed up a bit.

That intro though! 👌

I really don’t understand the microbrand gripe. I have 2 Lorier watches and am buying the Astra and a hydra when they release! They are by far my favorite brand and watches.

After receiving some emails from Baltic about visiting their showroom in France, I actually was near by in Paris a few months later. After a train ride to the middle of what seemed nowhere, I used my last bit of battery to find the address. After getting into the courtyard I knocked on what seemed like an apartment door and the guy was surprised I showed up. After asking him to charge my phone so I could find my way back eventually, the showroom experience was suuuper awkward. He rarely spoke, didn't strike up any conversation about the pieces or engage in conversation. 10 minutes of very awkward moments later I was told nothing was in stock, no options given.. I asked for my phone back as they were closing, which had charged 1%..i left blind with my money and said I'd never buy from them. Just wanted to share that as I lost half a day of vacation and had higher expectations from the experience.

The issue with a $1500+ microbrand watch is of course: will they be around in 10 years? Once you spend a certain amount of money you want a stable manufacturer that can provide parts and service in 10-20 years.

I’m confused by the scale on the bezel, the bare bit at 3 o’clock looks odd but the scale looks very odd. Maybe I’m missing something.

I like this watch a lot- it’s definitely homage like but it’s got its own unique charm as well. If I didn’t have a speedmaster I’d consider this

They’re back indeed 😄🎉

Baltic is a great brand! Im looking at getting the Baltic hms 002. I like the dials on them

I like it but if I was buying a $2k chronograph I'd be going pre-owned Omega or entry level Swiss (Hamilton, Tissot, etc).

What do you also think about the "Steinhart Ocean One Vintage Chronograph II" which is another "homage" of the Daytona with panda dial and 42mm diameter?

I own the Baltic GMT and love this for the price and build.

at a fair price, I'm game for a good microbrand. Hell, usually for more daring styles or looks - it's often the microbrands that try to push since they have nothing to lose - they're not names built on heritage, so they can try things that the older brands don't really want to or if they did, it'd be such a small run that they'd be out of reach for most.

Been in their London Showroom today....walked out with a brand new Dual Crown in Black Dial. Quality is very good and looks awesome!!!

I just bought the sugess homage to the blancpain air command with the st1901 movement. Ive never seen a watch this well made for $240. The lume is great. The sapphire crystal is clear with AR coating. The bezel rotation is bidirectional and nicer than watches i have in my collection for thousands of dollars. Ive never seen anything like this out of china.

The HMS 002 is another very nice model from Baltic. I own a SERICA 4512 CALIFORNIA (in the French microbrand space) and your review of the field version contributed to making the move!

Farer might be a better option. As long as it’s not a 1960s Omega homage, but something they came up with themselves. Méraud were looking quite nice. And: they’re upfront about being French in the name. Bell & Ross are also French, but made it sound as British as it gets. I know, Belamich & Rosillo is a bit long for a dial, but…

Love a dateless tricompax just looks so clean. Like a chronograph should be. Alot vintage Heuer's are great examples of clean chronographs Too many chronographs are ruined by after thought date windows especially on modern pieces. It also looks like a Universal Geneve. The only time I like a date on a chronograph is on a Valjoux 7750 set up like the vintage Orfina PD, Heuer Pasadena,Eterna Porsche design or a Sinn 144stsa

First time visitor. Subscribed. Good show brother.

Love the watch just wish the chrono second hand didn't match the min hand soo much.

Great looking watch!! The metal on the bracelet does look a bit off compared to the lugs.

For the price, they hit that sweet spot. Got this vintage nostalgia about them that is tastefully done.

It's kind of on par with Hamilton intramatic , so I don't know... The intramatic has the bezel hidden under the crystal which I like more. Also, the reverse panda dial is very good looking on that. Plus 100 m wr...

At first second of video : *JODY GOODMAN*

Come on Jory, you know this is not a value proposition... I like Baltic watches too, but not this one 🤷‍♂️.. Think about the variety of Hamilton chronographs at around 2000$

I can never understand the reason why there are so many watch reviewers that don't link to the actual watch they are reviewing. So many missed opportunities for both the watch reviewer and watch brands.

Saturday’s just came back!

You can get Hamilton Intramatic Chrono for this price, yes the Daytona Homage for EUR 1800 is overrated.

The Time Teller Shop needs a "sort by" what's in stock.

Intro w/across-the-Tubes cameos: Check. Return-of-livestreams announcement: Check. (Yay!) Teaser-reveal showing watch w/Porsche fob w/keys: Check. (Proceeds to jump into M3.) Describes new Baltic chrono: Eh, who? That was a nice curveball, Jory, with a watch to match: never heard of this micro, but this watch seems to do the biz for the price. The hints of early-Daytona are *there*, but not really in-your-face, and I like that balance. I'm not in the market/mood for another chrono, but I'll want to check Baltic out for other releases..

Thank you for using the word, "Homage", correctly!

Please make review of their titanium diver!

Continuity was broken a bit by that Porsche keychain to M3 transition. I was expecting a vintage Porsche.

this is automatic watch ?

Those subdial hands look like they’re stamped and not befitting of a watch that’s well over a grand. Other than that, it’s a great looking watch.

Definitely a great timepiece. Microbrands really have the hardest job finding the right price. I don't know if I could roll the dice on $2k for a microbrand. Even a watch this nice. $900, maybe $1200 the most and I am sold.

If anyone like the MR01, check out the Boderry Elite... Same movement, fraction of the price 💪

The price is a deal breaker for me. Just my opinion. They call this the Paul Newman look-alike watch.

The speedometer is nuts!

Is he wearing it on the right side ?

A beautiful watch with obvious inspiration from the "Paul Newman", but oh man, the Hermétique Tourer? OK, a completely different animal. Totally original. Love the 3 dimensional batons & numerals. The fine details. They effortlessly blend old and new. I'm sure it won't be very long before Baltic outgrows its "microbrand" image. One to keep a close eye on!

Have to say Baltic watches have been popping up recently as an advert , so naturally as a watch geek, I gave them a look. They have a very appealing presence but the pricing is what bothers me. This chronograph is no exception. Around the 2k mark you get intro Swiss watch company territory. Same goes for Baltic dive watches- if I am not mistaken they are around 750 euro and for that price you can get a Certina diver with Powermatic 80. But watch collecting is a passion, it is not about specs, so at the end of the day, everyone should be buying what they like.

The Dive watches from Baltic are also awesome!

I purchased the Aquascape Titanium in 2022. Price tag $1000. Had to replace the strap that came with it, was not a fan. I like the look of the watch but not the feel of it. Feels kind of cheapy. I have watches 3/4 and half the price that feel more solid. The movement inside sounds and feels plasticy. The crown is wobbly. With all of that said I still wear it, I like it, and it does the job, but I would put it’s value more around the $300 mark and that’s just on its design alone.

Are these off the cuff videos longer then these regular videos at 10ish min ?

I place a high value on heritage. I find that the heritage helps when selling a watch.

No offense for that price I’d rather get a Hamilton Chronograph with a great Heritage. The watch is nice though.

Have you worn the aquascaphe? That’s a nice one. I wish I still had mine….

So much dust on the dial at the close up shot at 4:36 . Acceptable for watch selling close to $2000?

Great review, and the (Tricompax) watch looks killer. Once you put in a Sellita SW-510M movement in there, the watch is automatically going to be in the $1,500+ USD range, at least if the rest of the watch measures up to the movement. Btw, Sellita offers a COSC-spec variant of the SW-510M, so I wonder how expensive these Tricompax watches would be with that movement in them.

6:31 Hormel Chili?

I'd buy it for a grand less, but not at that price.

wait wtf is wrong with hodinkee?

I bought the blue gilt aquascaphe in spring of 2020, cracking bit of kit. Luminous sapphire bezel, more strap swap out options than you can poke a stick at: what’s not to love about Baltic?

Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster Lollipop - Automatic (86005A)

Definitely an homage to the Paul Newman Daytona.

LOL, you said what my brother and I always joke about - wearing huge watches on the ankle or as a belt

Great watch and great review. Why did you pick up a Porsche key fob and then get into a BMW? 🤣

1000m water resistant Tag Heuer Aquaracer super diver's watch, please?

So Jory, now that you’ve opened the homage can of worms, I purchased a Ginault Silent Service a few months ago because I wanted the look and feel of a sub, and I got it! The quality is also phenomenal (and I have a few luxury watches to compare it against). So I’m wondering what you think about this quasi-homage (actually more of a hybrid SMP300/Sub). What say you?

That’s a SICK M3 Jory!!

🤣 ❤the ending

Things get crowded at this point. How about a proven Yema chrono Rallye? And for a couple hundred more, the Hanhart 417, with great resale value?

Girrard Perregaux car chronos’s for life!!! You should have a trigger warning for the snobs when you say homage!😂😂 I’m feeling it for $650-$900.

I bought an MR01 and rather liked it. I went to the London showroom and I have to say I came away a little underwhelmed. I was ready to buy but nothing really jumped out. I think I am just not really in to homage-y dive watches / chronographs.. (this comment probably says more about my taste than it does about Baltic to be fair..)

Very good review

You need to look where you're walking Jory 😮 I saw this watch everywhere but I wouldn't buy it because the brand doesn't do anything for me.

I’ve been longing for the blue gilt aquascaphe.

It’s nice but for roughly the same price I’d be looking at the Hamilton

Watch is ok but I'd rather take the beemer

Love the brand, classic look, have MR01 salmon dial . Price 600$, however this watch at 1800 ?!

yeaa.... you can get a speedy reduced for just a couple 100 more so im going to say its priced a little high

The review was ok - but the thumbnail indicated a review of all baltics and some of them suck in my view - the tri - compax looks interesting but 17 hundred ? - you do pay for brand , but pay that with 0 cachet ? I doubt it

I like to know thickness without a glass, its not real thickness, but it's how it feel.

im going for the hms 002 silver with beads of rice and open caseback... 450ish 👍

I really enjoyed your show, having bought both panda and reverse panda scheduled to be delivered this week. I love driving my BMW 2012 stick, so we have that in common , cool. I would really like to trade these 2 and other unworns to start moving up the high horology scene. I went nuts for the pandemic trying to find the nicest micro brands, and now this vicious disease I am lusting after, Glusshutte, panamatic, JLC Reverso ( to replace one I lost) and a Calatrava,, idiot that I am now that I have a hundred plus watches I realize I just want 3 - 5 watches. Oh well

Before you showed the Daytona, I was thinking this thing had a speedmaster vibe to it. I don't even like the word homage any more. Who's homaging who? I don't care. The only thing I think is tacky is when you get into pagani stuff. My reaction to that particular watch is that it makes a tissot telemeter look like a bargain :P

Aren't these made in Hong Kong?

I had to watch a Movado ad before this vid 😂

Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster is around the same price and comes with a better heritage. I have no idea why anyone would buy this. It's a pretty watch, but is its overpriced.

Who can deadlift more weight? Jory Goodman or Jeff McMahon?

Definitely overpriced but I wouldn't call them trash , just wouldn't buy one.

You can buy a Longines Skin diver watch for around 1200 euro,so I think the Baltic is well over priced..

You can buy an Alpina, Hamilton or Tissot chronograph for less. Skip this Baltic nonsense.

That's a really nice watch.

Owners of the rolex daytona must understand that homages are in fact flattery of the real deal. Baltic and Lorier's proposition is to bring back classic vintage feel to the modern watch and make it affordable. The watches are not copies but rather more of influenced or inspired by rolex and/or other luxury brands.. More people can afford a Baltic than a rolex. So, the exclusivity of the rolex sports watch is still there and that is why rolex watches are still in high demand. There is no need to manifest cognitive dissonance in the form of hostility towards Baltic. They are microbrands and are not in direct competition with the major brands.

Actually I'd say it's more similar to a Universal Geneve 884.475

I like the watch and think it's fairly well done. But for close to 2k dollars I could never pull the trigger on this one.

best comedy channel out there

Porsche key ring on your bmw keys? Do you also wear a seiko on a citizen strap? 😂

To me it looks more like the limited edition panda Speedmaster from a few years back. More so than a vintage Daytona.

Jory you hit the nail on the head with regards to purchasing a watch based on the Design and Functionality vs. Brand! Rolex makes great watches but there are microbrand watches that put Rolex to shame at 1/10th the price.

Love the design of this watch. However, $1800 is steep. I’d be game for $1k but almost $2k? 😬

I was actually out after you said Aluminum bezzle.🤮

I had a Aquascaphe and the lume was just terrible. I was very disappointed. It was so bad that I sold it.

I would've been interested at 1,200. But near enough 1,800 is just not my forte.

I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase the Nivada Grenchen Fratello limited edition, chronograph, reverse panda color way. I have an unobjective opinion that it will blow this Baltic out of the water… Cheaper, same movement, better dimensions.

Please do the live streams on that chinese guy lawn 🙏🙏🙏

Nice watch!

Great watch!