The world of watchmaking boasts a rich history, littered with brands that have made a name for themselves through meticulous engineering and an unwavering dedication to quality. Baltic, a young and energetic French watch company, is quickly carving its own niche in this esteemed tradition. Founded in 2017, the brand draws inspiration from the vintage spirit of mid-20th century timepieces, reinterpreting classic designs with a modern twist.
Baltic's name itself evokes a sense of maritime heritage, a subtle nod to the French company's coastal beginnings. The brand's logo, a stylized anchor, further reinforces this connection to the sea. However,
Baltic isn't merely interested in replicating the past. Their watches are imbued with a contemporary flair, boasting high-quality materials, reliable Swiss movements, and a commitment to affordability.
Courtesy of Baltic
One of Baltic's most popular collections is the Tricompax. This series of watches pays homage to the tri-compax chronograph, a type of chronograph featuring three subdials for measuring elapsed time. Originally designed for pilots and race car drivers, the tri-compax chronograph became a coveted wristwatch due to its functionality and sophisticated aesthetic.
The Baltic Tricompax collection embodies the brand's core values. The watches are stylish and sophisticated, yet functional and well-suited for everyday wear. They are crafted from high-quality materials, ensuring durability and longevity. Most importantly, they are offered at a competitive price point, making them accessible to a wider audience of watch enthusiasts.
The Tricompax line offers a variety of models, each with its own unique character. Some feature vintage-inspired designs with classic Arabic numerals and luminescent hands. Others boast a more modern aesthetic, with clean lines and minimalist detailing. Regardless of the specific model, each Tricompax watch is a testament to Baltic's commitment to quality and design.
In 2024, Baltic partnered with the Tour Auto, a prestigious vintage car rally that takes place in France. To celebrate this collaboration, they created a limited-edition Tricompax watch: the Tricompax Tour Auto 2024. This special edition timepiece combines Baltic's signature vintage aesthetic with the rich history and tradition of the Tour Auto.
Courtesy of Baltic
The watch features a light beige matte dial with contrasting black subdials, a color scheme reminiscent of the Tour Auto's historic branding. The tachymeter bezel, a hallmark of racing chronographs, allows the wearer to measure speed. Additionally, the watch comes with a unique Rally Timer, a tool specifically designed for motorsport enthusiasts.
Picture this: a light beige canvas stretches out, subtly textured, reminiscent of the worn and weathered dashboards of classic race cars. Three subdials, ringed in black for stark contrast, pierce the surface like precise gauges, echoing the historic colors of the Tour de France Automobile. It's the face of the Tricompax Tour Auto 2024, and it whispers 'racing heritage' with a refined voice.
The beige dial isn't just about looks; it's a functional throwback. Vintage racing chronographs often featured light-colored dials to combat glare, allowing drivers to snatch a glance at their chronograph mid-race without losing precious seconds. Baltic hasn't forgotten these practical roots.
Adding a touch of playful intricacy, those black subdials feature a white guilloché pattern. For the uninitiated, guilloché refers to a decorative engraving technique that creates intricate designs on a surface. It's a subtle detail that rewards close inspection, bringing dynamism to the watch face.
Courtesy of Baltic
Encircling this vintage-inspired canvas is a tachymeter bezel marked out in clean, crisp black. This scale, an essential tool for any motorsport enthusiast, allows the wearer to calculate average speeds over a fixed distance. Whether you're actually timing laps at the track or just a sucker for a sporty chronograph, the tachymeter scale adds a distinct racing dimension to the design.
A well-proportioned case is the backbone of any great watch, and the Tricompax Tour Auto 2024 doesn't disappoint. Crafted from 316L stainless steel, the watch boasts a diameter of 39.5mm. This size is something of a sweet spot, large enough to have presence on the wrist, yet not overtly bulky, ensuring it slips effortlessly under a shirt cuff.
The real surprise comes when you view the watch from the side. A double-domed sapphire crystal rises gracefully, adding vintage charm and a subtle distortion when viewed at acute angles. Coupled with the slim 13.5mm thickness (11mm without the glass), the watch has a sleek, streamlined profile that exudes a quiet confidence.
Beneath the Tricompax's alluring exterior beats a mechanical heart: the Sellita SW510-M. This manual-winding chronograph movement is a workhorse, renowned for its robustness and long 63-hour power reserve. This means you can wind up the watch and it'll keep ticking for over two and half days – perfect for a busy rally driver or the watch enthusiast who rotates their collection.
Aficionados appreciate a display caseback, and Baltic delivers. The exhibition window showcases the intricate movement, its bridges and gears working in harmony. It's a mesmerizing microcosm of mechanical precision and a testament to the art of watchmaking.
Courtesy of Baltic
Baltic understands that a watch should feel as individual as its wearer. The Tricompax Tour Auto 2024 offers a touch of personalization with its two strap options. First, a classic 'flat link' stainless steel bracelet adds a contemporary touch, ensuring seamless transitions from the boardroom to the backroads.
Secondly, a fetching navy blue Alcantara® strap ramps up the motorsport vibes. Alcantara, a suede-like material often found in race car interiors, gives the watch a sporty personality, perfect for a weekend track day or a relaxed drive through the countryside. The included tools make switching between straps a breeze, allowing you to tailor the watch to your mood or occasion.
The Tricompax Tour Auto 2024 package wouldn't be complete without a nod to the world of rally racing. That's where the included Rally Timer comes into play. This unique toolset comprises two essential instruments for any serious motorsport enthusiast.
First, a stopwatch featuring a matte grey dial powered by a flyback hand-wound
Hanhart movement. This type of chronograph allows for instantaneous resetting and restarting the timer, a crucial function for timing laps or special stages during a rally.
Alongside the stopwatch is a dash clock featuring a matte black dial. This compact instrument is designed for legibility, allowing drivers and co-drivers to check the time at a glance in the heat of competition.
Courtesy of Baltic
The Baltic Tricompax Tour Auto 2024 is more than just a watch; it's a collectible. Each piece is individually numbered, reinforcing its status as one of only 500 examples released worldwide. This limited edition won't be reproduced, making it a true prize for both watch collectors and fans of the Tour Auto.
In conclusion, the Baltic Tricompax Tour Auto 2024 is a watch that successfully marries history, functionality, and captivating design. It's a testament to Baltic's commitment to accessible yet engaging watchmaking and a fitting tribute to the adrenaline-fueled world of the Tour Auto.