From Skeptic to Admirer: My Surprising Experience with the Baltic MR01 Dress Watch 

Had the Baltic MR01 for a week, will I recommend it? Yes and No. The piece I received ran about a minute slow everyday out of the box and it was an immediate return for me. I knew the movement in the watch is something that is not tried and tested but took the risk with it and even when none of the reviews or write ups ever mentioned the tolerance of the movement. The watch for the price, the quality is 7/10. The finishing on the case is average at most but they had done wonders with the beautiful dial and the supplied leather strap is excellent. The hesalite gives it that vintage aesthetics but they could have gone with a double domed sapphire at this price point. The movement is great to look at but I would not recommend to anyone picking this watch up as their one watch and thought hard enough to spend you hard earned money. If you are an enthusiast, go for it cause the micro rotor is not something you find often with a watch at this price point. If you want a dress watch for similar price and dont want to worry about the movement, just buy a Seiko Presage, 38mm Orient Bambino or a Tissot Le Locle. Word of advice, don't set the time backwards or backhack this movement cause it will cause a lot of problems and it is a common complaint with this caliber. Edit: My MRO1 was from their last release so I hope they have fixed the common complaints with the movement in this year's release. Also, Baltic's customer service is great so no worries if you encounter any issues, they are prompt and have a very good return policy if something is wrong with your watch out of the box.

I bought a salmon one this week from the London boutique. I love how you can have it with any strap from the collection, although there is a mark up for the steel versions. Yep the crown is a little small but also a little cheap looking but with regard the rotor it does rattle a bit if shaken but on the wrist you don't notice it. The Bicompax looks fantastic as well it has a Seagull movement and looked fantastic in Blue.

I LOVED this watch from the moment I saw it about 3 weeks ago!? The salmon dial and the design is just beautiful to me. I was/am just worried about the size on my 7 inch wrist..but I think it will look great! I should have asked for this for Father’s Day…but I have a hunch my wife bought me the Mission Impossible 1 Casio watch, which I am not mad at. Good review!

Good video as always, and that's a nice looking watch! I like dress watches and a brown strap like that with the blue dial is pretty easy to wear, goes well with a lot of clothes. These days you can wear a watch with a leather strap / dress style a lot more casually (not just a suit). Goes well with smart casual as well....look at all of the fashion watches that follow that style!

I have a Baltic Dual Crown Aquascaphe. I love it ! It has become my new daily wear! Also, really really like the quick release spring bars. They are a nice touch

The thought of Pagani having "time alone" with that caseback LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!

Discovered your videos recently really enjoying them and subscribed even my wife likes them you put a lot of work into them

I wish I could love a dress watch. I think the level of detail, refined finish, and typically demure look to a well executed and simple dress watch is elegant and classy. I love it right up until it's on my wrist, then it just doesn't fit with my lifestyle or military career needs. This watch is a real beauty, and I certainly appreciate the refinement and classy look of this timepiece for sure. If I were to settle on a dress watch, it would be something like this. For me though, I've gone the vintage-inspired "dress diver" route with a Christopher Ward Dartmouth for those more formal occasions.

I like the Baltic HMS-002 even more. Thanks MWC.

Nice video! I got my blue dial HMS 002 this week. $389 OTD and pleased so far. The silver dial version also looks amazing, with its blue hands and a blue strap. Going to try to be responsible and resist that one, though.

I enjoy this watch so much I did something I’ve never done before, and have now ended up purchasing each colour variant. Originally got the salmon about a year ago. Then got the blue face, which is so dark it almost looks black depending on the lighting, and reflects the face markers so well. Now I just ordered the silver and a couple of different strap colours to give me lots of options and is to arrive next month. It will be interesting to see how it compares to the others. Based on how this watch always sells out I can see I’m not the only one who enjoys this watch.

I know with other vintage inspired watches like the Timex Q GMT they also choose to use acrylic crystal. Which seems cheap compared to mineral crystal or sapphire crystal. That Baltic Watch still looks really nice despite all of that. Personally for me If I tend to look for watches that have at least 50M water resistance.

What a little beauty! I too am in love. Good to see Mr Pagani again, he always makes me laugh.

This would sit very handsomely amongst the vintage selection, absolutely love the display case back, this could be one your dad would like

love that textured dial from baltic 🔥

That’s a beautiful watch I really like the grainy face, I got an Orient Bambino about 5 years ago and I never looked back, everything else has at least 200m water resistance

i LOVE the design. very classy. and the movement looks quite nice. like others, i have concerns about the movement maker and acrylic, but a lot going for it too!

Just got the black Casio forester, put it on rubber strap and LOVE it. I’d recommend… if your looking for a field watch

I like it.😁 Excellent show as always Russell 👍

Great review! 😊

I would love to hear your thought on a baltic aquascaphe. I’ve had mine for over two years and I have zero complaints

Thats one smart looking time piece! Can fully understand your positive review...... if it didnt sound so tinny I'd serious sell a couple of my collection to finance this baby !

It looks fantastic, the blue dial and Arabic numerals are done just right. The band is great. The case back is so handsome. What a great value. That’s a keeper. Well done, sir.

Another pure genius presentation Russ , Baltic owe you big time mate because l reckon there sales will now ramp up due to your amazing video ;)

Great show. I think this is value for money. Pretty watch with an interesting movement. I do like a separate seconds hand. 100 years ago and for about 30 years on this was the go to complication.

I like it a lot, but 36mm is way to small for me. That is such a shame. I also like the divers, but also a bit on the small side for me. Great review!

It has such great color dials very elegant looking watch man they did a great job with this watch

Fantastic looking watch, I can't decide between the blue and salmon.

Russ you just made me want another watch. I own one dress watch but is a little big to fit under the cuff if yeah know what I mean Hammy?! I will be looking for this Baltic.

I would have liked to have seen them taking quality up a level, you pay for what you get. A more refined product and I think they could have easily charged more to cover the cost because they have a nice design.

Very nice, it reminds me a little of a Stowa Marine Original Blue Limited watch that I had a few years ago but I sold it because it was too big, this Baltic looks a nice size

Love the way the shape of of the numerals I don't now if a would go for that colour. I was interested interested in picking up I watch I seen on line with was brown when I looked at in the shop in was not for my

dude the barking caught me off guard, had a good laugh, thx! great vid besides that aswell.

This is a good looking watch worthy consideration.

Good God!! This watch is gorgeous as hell!!

As someone rocking a 44mm Citizen Promaster diver as a dress watch, I have to say that Baltic is to die for!

Great presentation as always. Not sure why I don’t warm to Baltic, their whole range just doesn’t click with me. Love microbrands and I love subtle 38-40mm watch’s with a retro vibe, just can’t work out why I don’t like Baltic?

Always good looking watches Baltic.👍

I love dress watches. I wear dress watches 90% of the time. nice video!

Love a good piece of acrylic, just gives the dial such a lovely hue that's hard to explain. I wish brands used it a little more often! Sapphire, sapphire, blah, blah...

Nice watch ! I didn’t see the micro rotor coming ! 👍

I love it. But I’m disappointed because I just want to get to bezeling. Probably my favorite character you play.

Mr. Pagani's House of "Design" ✨

I think comments help the algo-thing-O-ma-bobber thing. So, comment is here. Would love to see one in person to see how I liked it. Great as always! Cheers

You can get a Lobinni micro-rotor (same movement) watch with a similar dial for about $227 USD ... that said I do love the look of this dial - and the blue colorway is best in my opinion.

If I buy a mechanical watch, I need to know I can get it serviced in 30 years. With a movement like this, id be worried it would break a couple years out of warrenty and Id be SOL trying to get it repaired. Real shame though considering how beautiful the design and proportions are.

This watch is a real beauty, but because it’s not sapphire, but the acrylic crystal I can’t do it.

Love watching your reviews...you can make any watch look impressive, even this one 😂

Do you know what, I'm surprising myself here. I really like it. Class.

Baltic IS definitely a good french micro brand... thanks for this mad review again!!! 😎😎😎

The good thing about the cork packaging is that it will float if the plane shipping it by airfreight goes down, so you'd still be a chance of receiving it ..

Aliexpress has the same lookin watch for $316.00 CDN by Lobinni with the same movement

Salmon for me. It’s a beaut. Great show 👍👍

A phone call from Mr. pagani on my Birthday would probably make me cry. 😢

Love the asymmetrical dial, love the numerals, love the hands, love the size, love the fact it comes in Salmon. Why don't I own it?

Excellent review, but not my bag. I'm with Mr. Pagani, I like the back better than the front 😁

I’ve watched so many of your reviews lately ‘Trampoline’ has been my ear worm for days! 😂

I never knew you wear dresses... nice you finally got a watch for it now. :)

Great watch, nice video... Nice watch, great video 🤔

AM A CASIO MAN BUT I HAVE A FEW DRESS WATCH IN MY COLLECTION I THINK THE WATCH LOOKS FANTASTIC KEEP MAKEING MORE VIDEO PEACE OUT

I like these. Mini rotor and vintage look, I am a minority but I like the acrylic as it’s true to any watch up to the 60s

I've got 4 vintage hand wind dress watches. They are all 32mm. The thinnest is 7mm, and that's with a date complication. This makes sense as the use case for a dress watch is to slip under a buttoned up cuff. Does anyone make watches in those dimensions any more? I find it strange how watches have evolved to get smaller, but then larger again. But I guess people don't wear buttoned up cuffs as much these days.

It is a thing of beauty and VFM

almost bought this

Like the bad guy in Total Recall would wear”…. Obscure reference that made me chuckle… But the more I thought about it… Spot on!!!

Your purple light in the background shows up on some of the shots 5:49. But this actually looks better to already a great watch.

Mr Pagani: "I think I need to be alone" 😂

Can you review a Scurfa Diver one ?

Watch looks fantastic, but the movement inside does not warrant the price they are asking. Cheers Mate

Hmm...assuming you still have your dressy Seiko SARB (I know you've been on-the-fence about that one, is it still around?), will the Baltic be joining it now? My main reservation with the Baltic revolves (heh) around the movement: the two-year warranty is great, but beyond that, how easy will it be to get it serviced?

Ok at 1:15 and 1:21 I pissed my pants laughing and I haven’t finished the video.

im surprised you dont review the Orient Bambino yet! Its one of the few watches I have had absolutely no regrets about

Hey Russ I love this watch & Baltic. I have 2 other Baltics already. Beautifully made & different to the norm. I’m waiting on my salmon dial model as I write mate. Enjoy a dress watch. It’ll enhance your collection & I’m sure your tennis legs will really show off that dress!😍🤭🤣👍🏼🇦🇺

Please make a video on "watch that's battery never run out of"

That's a gorgeous watch for me, especially in the salmon dial and i think, dammit, i see a watch purchase on my horizon. Good work Russell

Beautiful dial and back side. Unfortunately to small for my wrist. 38mm is minimum to me.

I think I prefer the back to the front tbh 😀

I'd like to see an episode with sunglasses on. Thankyuu

I don't mind the Seiko movement, but at 0.5K Euro they could at least use a sapphire dome. That's my only complaint. I absolutely love the design.

Not my go to style but a lot of good features. Breguet numerals are nice, but a cheap engine. Dial texture is nice. Chunky crown needed.

Pls review Titan watches they offer great value

Hmmm, the shiny bezel could be a magnet for fingerprints. Blue dial with brown strap? Ok... And, it's me or the movement doesn't hack? Too much euro(s) for my poor pockets!

With the imminent arrival of a new member to your family Russell-the watch could also be used as a baby’s rattle ! 😉 👍

Blue is my favorite color especially in watches buuuuuut if I'm getting this it's gotta be the salmon.

Beautiful

Mr. Pagani needs to know the movement model.

Hold on just a minute, did you say it has a Hesalight crystal? Isn't that just a fancy word for acrylic? And a domed acrylic crystal at that!! I would expect at least mineral glass for that price, I mean Ive bought a 65 quid Chinese watches with Sapphire crystal!

$585. Dollars uh maybe if it was 39-40mm case, had a sapphire crystal, a nice regular style second hand and a better movement then still a maybe for that price?

The Wife likes it! We have a winner folks!

Nice persona

pretty watch, but a beads of rice suits it better, in my opinion!

Church on Sunday to wear the watch more?

Well, it looks like Jody at Just One More Watch beat you to the review because he’s in Australia making it an earlier time zone

Another great review Russell. However, given it's accuracy I would say that for me this is more a piece of jewellery that looks and functions like a watch, but is not actually a watch. Surely the one thing a watch has to do, putting all other complications to one side, is attempt to accurately tell the time for some decent length of time prior to it being checked against a more accurate reference? Given the (dare I say 'serious') mechanical watch making industry pursues all sorts of mechanical improvements and various levels of certification to record accuracy, this watch just does not make the grade in my opinion, no matter how it looks.

poeh i understand that its a beauty!!!

The movement is what stopped me. If he had chosen an ETA 2492A2 or Sellita SW300 to keep things thin, and charged 1000 bucks for it instead, I would have bought one. Quite honestly, the dress watch category is the only category of watches that, in my view, may become expensive. Expensive tool watches are silly by nature, but a dress watch may cost a couple of quid. Or a couple of thousands of quids. :) So the tinny feel is exactly why I didn't pick one up. That said, you have to look far and wide to find something equally charming, and certainly at that price point it is unique in the watch world.

Yeh, you may feel your taste changing because of the fact, that men grow up-emotionally, only around when we get to our 40’s 😊

I am no sponsor, but the Yema dress watches with the micro rotor set up are superior to what Baltic has.

4th!! Slow today😂

Good looking watch but the price is a bit too steep