Back in 2018, I had the chance to review the original Aquascaphe—Baltic’s first proper dive watch—and I remember being struck by how dialed-in it felt for a debut. You can check out my review here. Not just from a small young brand, but from any brand. It was lean, nicely sized, and managed to hit that sweet spot between vintage and modern sensibility. Several years later, Baltic is giving the Aquascaphe its first real facelift, and the result is the new Aquascaphe MK2—a watch that seems more refined, more confident, and just a little more exciting.
This isn’t a total redesign. Instead, it’s the kind of update you get when a brand knows what worked the first time and just wants to do it better. The MK2 now comes in two case sizes: a very era-appropriate 37mm and a more contemporary 39.5mm. Either way, the case keeps its 12.9mm thickness and 200m water resistance, but now adds crown guards—a shift in the silhouette that’s bound to divide the faithful. Personally, I think it works. It leans into the toolish side of the diver identity without losing its charm.
There’s also a nice bit of visual evolution happening on the dial. Gone are the sandwich markers at 3, 6, and 9. Instead, you get applied, three-dimensional Super-LumiNova BGW9 lume—like what Baltic used on the Hermetique—that stands tall and sharp against either glossy (blue or green) or grained (grey or warm silver) dial finishes. The hands have been reworked too—slightly bolder, with better proportion—and the whole thing is topped by a double-domed sapphire crystal with internal AR, ringed by a 120-click sapphire bezel.
Inside, Baltic stuck with the Miyota 9039. No date, center seconds, hacking, 42-hour reserve—it’s a no-nonsense movement that keeps the price where it needs to be: €630 on rubber, €695 on either the flat-link or beads-of-rice bracelet. Lug width is a sensible 20mm, and the drilled lugs make strap changes feel like less of a chore. Flip it over and you’ll find a solid caseback with a neat geometric wave engraving that subtly nods to the watch’s aquatic intent.
For a watch that’s served as one of our most frequent recommendations for a budget-friendly diver, the Aquascaphe Classic aged very well. But seeing the MK2 makes it clear how much sharper and more resolved Baltic’s design language has become over the years. I don’t think this replaces the original—especially not for folks who were early adopters—but it does feel like the natural next chapter. Cleaner lines, more thoughtful lume, a choice in size—these are the kinds of changes that reflect growth, not trend-chasing.
If the first Aquascaphe felt like a standout freshman effort, this is the moment where the band tightens up and delivers the follow-up you hoped for.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.