You flash once, and it’s Sunday again, people! Be prepared for another battle royale between two competitive products from different brands. This week we pit two rather different watches with each other. These are not necessarily directly comparable except for one distinctive feature, two times the number of crowns you normally get. Darn takes the red horns with the new MIDO MultiFort 8 2 crowns. On the other side of the canvas, on the blue corner, there are dual crowns from the Baltic Aacaspe and Thomas. Welcome to Game of Crowns!
As mentioned before, these clocks have quite different propositions. MIDO is a sports watch with an integrated bracelet and costs CHF 1,150. The Baltic Sea is a diving watch with retro styling and a price tag of 883.30 euros (on the bracelet). However, both work perfectly as a sporty everyday watch. Similarly, both work well underwater. So we found it interesting to see which one you prefer. Is it a angular modern mid or an attractive vintage Baltic Sea? Find it!
But first, last week’s results
Before you jump in, you need to look at the results from last week. Jorg and Mike stepped into the ring with expensive, hardcore, high-end dive watches. Jorg defended the new Branpine 50 Fathom Tech Bok IV, and Mike represented the Rolex sea resident. Now we have a creepy tendency for Rolex candidates to win, so we knew that Jorg would be the underdog here. So, what did they do?
Well, there were no major surprises. Rolex residents won with a comfortable 61% of votes. Congratulations, Mike, you can wear the paper crown this week. You have a skull for it!
Interestingly, both watches can be expected to receive considerable criticism in the comments section. Most of you seem to think both are too big. These seem to be some of the less popular siblings within their respective lineups. Blanpine appears to have acquired love for being the original choice. Rolex, on the other hand, scored points because it was half the price as the obvious corners were not cut. Well, to get out of the way, let’s go back to a more sensible price level this week with two MIDO MultiFort 8 crowns and dual crowns at the Baltic Aquas Café. Thomas, you take the keyboard first!
Thomas: Baltotic Aquas Cafe Dual Crown
We’ll see you again, Darn! I have to say, I would have been happy to protect which candidate today. I’m not a Mido fan, but the new MultiFort 8 Two Crowns look super cool! I like its originality and clear design approach. It looks a little more refined than I usually associate with Mido, but that’s great! Still, if I was out to maximize my crown number, my choice would be the Aquascafe Dual Crown in the Baltic Sea. Please explain in detail.
First of all, both of these brands work at a more affordable level of our extremely expensive affection. For me, the Baltic Sea plays this game better. The brand focuses on vintage designs that are clearly inspired by great watches from the mid-century period, and they do so in a way that keeps costs down very clever. The watch is designed so it does not rely on high-end manufacturing and finishing. Their charm comes from an attractive, traditional form that was easily and effectively carried out. For me, this makes them feel honest and valuable.
Now I’m not going to hit the mide, but I’d say that approach is much less. The brand’s products are not that clear, mixing vintage reissues with modern designs like the Multi Fort 8 2 Crown. You can see more cost savings, such as printing some dials on Mido’s vibrant colored dials and finishing on your phone. For me, Baltotic feels much more thought-out and cohesive in its offerings and how it is run. So if I want a watch in the 1,500 euro segment, I would rather rely on a younger French outfit.
Mido MultiFort 8 The Baltic Sea surrounding the Two Crowns
Certainly, it’s just at the brand level. Next, let me zoom in on my specific clock. The Baltotic Aquascafe Dual Crown debuted in 2021 and I’m very close to buying it. why? Because I love the look and can appreciate its build and quality at this price. First of all, the Baltic Sea imitates the original compressor case diving watch of the old one. Do this without having to truly copy an existing watch. This design pays homage to genres that are more than a certain watch, but this is clever. In my book, this gives Aquascaphe Dual-Crown the right to exist compared to a real homage clock.
The dial and hands stand out against me. I remember this handset debuting with Aquaskafe’s dual crown. I think it’s simply amazing. Incidentally, like most sports watches inspired by the Baltic Sea vintage, they are powerful enough for divers, yet elegant and elegant. Similarly, the dial is considered and feels balanced. I especially like the black version, which is the most extremely contrasting.
Another thing I appreciate about this watch is its non-spiritual approach to vintage watch design. This is an overly vintage style clue that can easily come out cheaply. However, the Baltic Sea practiced restraint. Aquascaphe’s dual crowns are truly timeless with a touch of old-world charm than retro. The people behind the brand show that they really love their watches and design with care and care.
Amazing case
But that’s the highlight of the dual crown at Aquas Café in the Baltic Sea. First of all, it is perfectly proportional with a width of 39mm, length of 47mm and thickness of 11.9mm (including dome sapphires). But the Baltic Sea didn’t just find the right size. The case combines thin curved sides with a bowl-shaped central section of some sort. The bezel burns at a nice angle, subtly exaggerating the diameter of the watch and bringing back with sharp, refined facets.
The flat top is the cake icing. The Baltic Sea applied a rifle brushing finish as a kind of signature feature. It adds a significant talent to a rarely noticeable, but otherwise conservative watch. It brings it to life, so to speak. Finally, the domed sapphire looks fantastic, emanating from this uniquely finished flat bezel, like bubbles on the surface.
Well, I think this shows that I really admire the Baltic Aacaspe dual crown. I want to read what you did for it, Darn! Take it!
Daan: Mido MultiFort 8 Two Crowns
This promises to be a very mellow clash this week, Thomas, I also admire the clock on the other corner. Like you said, the Baltic design is certainly clearly inspired by vintage watches, but it doesn’t feel like a direct copy of what is already there. It is extremely rare and worthy of respect, especially in the price range where the brand operates. With a water resistant of 200m, the Baltic Aquas Cafe Dual Crown is also the only suitable diving watch in today’s ring. However, the Mido MultiFort 8 2 Crown is not afraid of water at a 100m rating.
But Multifort is facing a kind of identity crisis. The compressor case diving watch definitely influenced the setup of the inner bezel and dual crown. However, the MultiFort 8 is not presented as a single purpose dive watch. Instead, it’s like a sturdy stainless steel sports watch with an integrated bracelet or rubber strap. Finally, especially looking at what else is available in that collection, I don’t feel that the Multifort name fits very well with the watch. But instead of bashing the Mido MultiFort 8 Two Crowns, I’m here to protect it. Luckily there are so many things I love here too, so let’s go!
Streamlined and fresh design
Recently, I was immediately on the streamlined design of the MultiFort 8 from the moment I first saw it on the wrist of a Mido representative at a Swatch Group Press event. Of course, the dual crowns at the Baltic Aquas Cafe, just under 12mm thick, are not at all intense for the diving watch. However, it is only 9.5mm thick and has a very flash case design, and I feel that the Mido MultiFort 8 2 crown is much more streamlined. Still, it still has a contrasting crown with an oblique bezel, giving it a lot of presence and character.
The same applies to dials with its horizontal texture and sandwich-like 3D design. Especially with the gray color options, it will be fresh and modern. So far, I’ve only seen it on integrated stainless steel bracelets, so I really hope that matching rubber straps will be available in that variant.
Swatch Group Reliability
It is true that the Baltic Sea, a small and young company, has a more consistent product portfolio. Mido’s is certainly everywhere, and it’s hard to find true consistency. However, Mido’s maturity and size can also work in its advantage. There is no problem with using the Japanese Miyota 9039 automatic movement. However, the Multifort 8 2 Crown gets a Swiss-made ETA 2892-A2-based caliber 72. It holds a comfortable power reserve of 72 hours, and is reliable enough to get when it comes to mechanical movement.
It is also very easy for watchmakers to provide service to watches, and spare parts are widely available. If there are no local watchmakers, I’m sure the MIDO/SWATCH group retailer who cares for the watch will be Closeby. Aside from the three showrooms, the Baltic Sea is a very online-focused brand. The result is a more affordable watch, but it means that in-person customer service is difficult.
But I’ll go back to my potential. The MultiFort 8 Two Crowns is a great new product from MIDO. The case is slim and character-filled and excellent for a variety of wrists. If you haven’t met in person yet, I highly recommend doing so if possible!
Vote now!
You have it – another Sunday morning showdown. Today, do you vote for which fairly affordable double crown watch? Is the vintage-inspired, young, and slightly cheaper Baltotic Aquaskef Dual Crown your pick? Or are you using two crowns of the whole new Mido MultiFort 8 with a more streamlined and integrated design? Please vote below. Please let us know in the comments why you chose that particular watch.
Mido MultiFort 8 Two Crowns vs. Baltic Aquascaphe dual-crown
