Have we left the Bronze Age and entered the Stone Age? 2024 seems to be the year of the stone dial. That doesn’t mean bronze watches are gone, but what once seemed like an influx of new bronze watches has slowed down considerably. Still, we’ve seen some great additions to the world of bronze watches, and the last one in the Baltic was the 2023 Aquascape Bronze Maron. Aquascape is the brand’s diver’s watch, and bronze has a long history in diving equipment, so this made sense. But what about a bronze field watch? Find it with the Baltic Hermétique Tourer Bronze.
I must confess that I have a love/hate relationship with bronze as a watchmaking material. I’m not the biggest fan of the certain patina that forms after wearing a bronze watch. Some watches wear well, while others don’t. Again, restoring a bronze watch to its original condition is easy. In my opinion, that’s when bronze watches make the most impression. Some of my favorite examples include the Fratello x Oris Big Crown Bronze Pointer Date Limited Edition, the Oris Hellstein Edition 2020, the quickly forgotten Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph, and the Hamilton Field Khaki Bronze. If you remember these, you’ll also know that they’re all from 2020 and 2021. Back then, bronze watches were still very popular.
Baltic Hermetic Tourer Bronze Story
For those who don’t know or have forgotten, Baltic introduced the Hermetic Tourer last October. As Thomas explains in his hands-on article, the French brand took style inspiration from 1940s IWC helmets. Baltic doesn’t explicitly mention its inspiration, but the name reference is clear. But as Thomas said, this watch is by no means an homage. The Hermetic Tourer is Baltic’s classic range of adventurer’s or field watches, and is very popular with fans.
After four initial versions debuted in late 2023, two Glacier Limited Editions arrived in March of this year. It featured a textured dial inspired by an icy glacier. I like the black and white dial as it adds depth and detail compared to the matte dial of the regular version.
In the latest models, the stainless steel case has been replaced with a bronze case. In addition, the three bronze models feature smoked dials that start bright in the center and gradually darken towards the edges. I had a chance to try out the brown Hermetic Tourer Bronze. The other two are a beautiful green model and a rich blue model.
Baltic Hermetic Tourer Bronze Details
To remind you of the Hermetic Tourer, let’s take a look at some specs. Each of the three new versions features a 37mm bronze case with a thickness of 10.8mm including the crystal. The case length is 46mm and the lug spacing is 20mm. In terms of water resistance, the case is safe up to 150 meters and features a distinctive integrated crown on the right side. The round shape maintains the flowing lines and creates an elegant presence.
The gradient or smoky dial is hidden beneath a double-domed sapphire crystal with internal anti-reflective coating. What I like about this dial is that it’s very easy to read. So you might think it’s simple. However, zooming in reveals some details. The dial gradually darkens, showing a nice, saturated color in the center, fading to black towards the periphery. The railway minute track features 3D luminous markers with additional numbers at 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, 9 o’clock and 12 o’clock.
On the green and brown models, these indexes are made of Super-LumiNova C3 X1, which glows green in the dark. The blue model is equipped with Super-LumiNova BGW9 markers, which glow blue in the dark. Two polished bronze blades separate the center of the dial from the track. This adds visual appeal to the dial.
Bronze syringe-style hands complete the look, perfectly fitting the overall style. The result is a beautifully balanced dial with an elegant appeal and details that can be enjoyed up close.
Miyota automatic caliber 9039
Nothing has changed inside the case. Baltic powers this watch with the automatic Miyota caliber 9039. This movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, has 24 jewels and offers a 42-hour power reserve. This movement is part of Miyota’s Premium Automatic series and has a typical daily accuracy of -10/+30 seconds. As many of you may know, Baltic’s choice of affordable yet reliable movements has allowed the brand to remain extremely affordable.
The three new Hermetic Tourer Bronze models are no exception. These are offered for 600 euros excluding tax, which equates to less than 750 euros in most European countries. By comparison, the stainless steel model is currently available for the exact same price, so the bronze model is equally affordable. Baltic has once again made attractive watches at incredibly friendly prices.
Wearing Baltic Hermetic Tourer Bronze
But how does that appeal translate to the wrist? The three Hermetic Tourer Bronze models come with Tropic-style FKM straps that match the color of the dial. The strap has a bronze pin buckle that matches the overall style. I have to say that this watch is very comfortable to use. I always get a little nervous when wearing a 36-37mm watch on a strap as it seems a little too small for my 18.5mm wrist. But thanks to its lug-to-lug fullness and stylish presence, the Hermetic Tourer fits well and looks very nice.
The strap has a pleasant flexibility, yet allows you to keep the watch perfectly balanced on your wrist. After wearing the Hermetic Tourer Bronze for a few days, I noticed a few things. The first is that it hits the mark in terms of visual balance and appeal. One thing I don’t really like is the integrated crown.
I love when the crown is a defining element of a watch’s design, especially when it’s oversized. As you can see, the Hermetic Tourer Bronze’s narrow push/pull crown is the opposite. However, it is easy to pull out and fun to operate. There is no wobbling between the crown and hands, making it easy to set the time accurately.
Final thoughts on Baltic Hermétique Tourer Bronze
Overall, Baltic did a great job with this Hermetic Tourer Bronze. It is natural that a bronze model will be added to the lineup. But what I couldn’t help but wonder is, at what point does someone go after authentic vintage watches instead? Of course, the answer is personal.
Baltic offers vintage charm combined with modern construction and reliable modern movements, saving you the potential stress and expense of wearing and maintaining a vintage watch. If you want to avoid that, this new Hermetic Tourer Bronze might be the perfect affordable watch for you.
If Baltic is offering a new bronze model at this price, you can’t complain. I still prefer the stainless steel version because of the option to pair it with the rice bead bracelet that Baltic offers. I especially like the look of the watch on the bracelet. Once again, there is no doubt that the bronze version will easily appeal to those looking for a nice combination of affordability, vintage charm, and modern reliability. In that sense, nothing beats Baltic’s growing collection.
What do you think about this new Baltic Hermetic Tourer Bronze? Let us know in the comments section below.
