A few weeks ago we conducted a survey within our team to obtain a Top 10 list of watches that were presented for the Only Watch 2021 Auction.
Although the usual suspects made an appearance on this list, the final results really amazed us.
Out of the 54 timepieces that have been crafted for the Only Watch auction, the top spot was taken by Baltic.
What is Only Watch?
If you aren’t familiar with this name, you might be asking yourself – “what is Only Watch?”
Well, Only Watch is the name of a very famous charity auction, which takes place every other year, with this being the 9th edition. The proceeds of the Only Watch auction go towards funding research to combat Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) – a very noble cause.
Of the many watchmakers taking part in this auction (by “donating” one-off timepieces), a survey conducted within the IWS Team led to Baltic’s candidate being the centre of attention: they have put forward a stunning monopusher chronograph.
Baltic X Only Watch
In occasion of this new edition of the charity auction, the french maison has presented a special Pulsometer Chronograph Monopusher. An essential vintage-style piece.
In short, this is a totally unique watch, which we will dive into together in just a moment. Join us, as we take you on a journey back to the 1940s
Why the Monopusher Chronograph?
What Baltic has offered the auction is a very interesting and fitting choice, as the complication links to the medical practice, reflecting the charitable cause.
In fact, the pulsometric dial paired with the chronograph complication allows one to measure heartbeats: upon activating the function, we can count to 30 heartbeats and we can read off the heartbeat in beats per minute (bpm) indicated by the second hands.
The peculiar aspect of the monopusher feature specifically, is that a medic is able to efficiently operate the complication with one hand, leaving the other to tend to their patient.
An Old Spirit
What makes this watch so special is the original movement.
This chronograph is powered by an old Venus 150 caliber from 1940. Having been successfully tried and tested over more than 80 years, it has been faithfully restored and improved in Switzerland.
In order to compliment the 1940s movement, the designers at Baltic opted for a slightly patinated black dial, upon which gold Breguet numerals have been applied.
Turning the watch over, the clear caseback allows us to admire the wonderfully intricate chronograph movement, characterised by column gears.
Baltic and their Vintage Aesthetics
The founder of Baltic Watches, Etienne Malec, created this brand following some rather sad circumstances following his father’s passing. However, Malec inherited his late father’s watch collection, which inspired him immediately. The name of the company pays tribute to the Baltic Sea, whose Polish shore was the birthplace of Etienne’s father.
The Baltic portfolio is very reminiscent of the watches which were left to him by his father: a man who was always on the go, in search of new adventures. In fact, he was a professional photographic journalist/reporter.
You might already be able to imagine the aesthetics of the watches worn by such people: practical, comfortable, but with the right balance between rugged and elegance so that they maintain a certain degree of formal on any occasion.
This leads us all the way to today, and Baltic’s offer for the OnlyWatch auction: a vintage proposition, in a modern context, perfectly blending tool-watches with elegant chronographs. If you would like to check out more, head over to Baltic official Website.
Final Remarks
Although they might be a very young brand, with relatively little experience, participating in the OnlyWatch auction is a huge achievement for the Baltic watch company, proving itself capable of going toe-to-toe with the industry’s giants.
On that note, we definitely encourage you all to check out what Baltic Watches has to offer: meticulously detailed timepieces, made from high quality materials, and powered by good movements, all for a more than reasonable price.
Author: Federico Chiesa
Translated by: Patrick Romano
