Watches and wonders may have attracted much of our attention last week, but that doesn’t mean that nothing is happening elsewhere in the watch world. One of the young guns that have been making waves in recent years, the Baltic Sea has announced a new limited edition. I had the opportunity to give it a try. This is the new Baltic Sea Scale Graph Tour Auto 2025 limited edition. We celebrate the brand’s sponsorship and participation in the annual French tour auto rally.
The Baltic ScaleGraph Tour Auto 2025 Limited Edition is limited to 400 units. The watch costs 2,117.50 euros (including 21% VAT) and limited runs are available. Let’s take a closer look.
Baltic Sea and Motorsports
Darn covered last year’s Balto Tour Auto Edition, and Nacho even rode a shotgun during the rally while wearing it. I wonder why I write this with Joe’s lukewarm cup at the head office of Fratero in a dark underground. What’s wrong, Baltotic?
Either way, this is an annual release. Baltotic sponsors the rally as the official timekeeper. This year, the race is divided into six stages, between Paris and Nice. The Baltic Sea will take part in two cars, the 1963 Lotus Elan 26R and the 1965 mg B.
The Baltic Sea Scale Graph Tour Auto 2025 Limited Edition celebrates the 2025 edition of this annual motorized Tour de France.
What’s new in the Baltic ScaleGraph Tour Auto 2025 Limited Edition?
The new Baltotic Scale Graph Tour Auto 2025 Limited Edition shares a version from last year and much of its DNA. However, there are some changes. First of all, the Baltic Sea is fitted with screw-in pushers for a water resistance assessment of 100m. Additionally, the watch weighs an additional 14.1mm thick, rather than last year’s 13.5mm. I speculate that I had to make the backpack and/or crystal slightly thicker to reach that 100m rating.
There were also some changes to the dial. First of all, there is a big eye layout with a magnified counter at 3am. The 6th time counter no longer acquires visually distinguishing subdials, mimicking the appearance of the 2-registered chronograph. Finally, this year’s dial looks much more clearly in multiple shades of pale blue, a classic example of what the French call “tonne schulton.”
Finally, last year’s model featured surrounding numbers, but this version comes with applied concentric time markers. I don’t know about you, but this was the first thing I noticed when I saw the press image for this new Baltic Sea Scale Graph Tour Auto 2025 limited edition.
Conceptual issues of the Baltic Sea Scale Graph Tour Auto 2025 Limited Edition
On paper, greater water resistance makes little sense. Automatic chronographs tend to be bulky, and this is no exception. It definitely seems odd to add that thickness for redundant water resistance. In fact, the added girth is not noticeable. This is not a slim watch, but it’s worn well. Still, I feel that the pusher under the screw is overly divided. They made the chronograph cranky to get it to work and I just realized I wasn’t using it. Also, this is not all watches. With such a rally themed design, I wonder what the added water resistance is for? In my book, this is a case of specs rather than conceptual concordance.
I think that’s a bit of a theme with this watch. The nearly hidden time counter features hands of the same color as the seconds you are running. On the other hand, the chronograph’s second and time counters are blue. Why not color-code chronograph elements to clearly distinguish between functions?
I have the same problem as the slope time marker. This makes sense in a clock like the dark sector of the Southern Voyage of Czapek, for example, because this is something you do for decorative reasons. However, this is presented as a rally timer. I think readability and accuracy should surpass everything else, but it also doesn’t promote tilted time markers. Overall, this makes the Baltic Sea Scale Graph Tour Auto 2025 Limited Edition feel more like a romantic rally watch than a real tool. Of course, this is true, but I hope it’s not so obvious. This makes it feel more like a marketing exercise than necessary.
Baltic Sea Scale Graph Tour Auto 2025 Limited Edition Wear
Well, it was very strict and I promise it’s not because it’s written from the basement. It’s just that so many watches are released at all times with so many smart (or complicated) backstory, but I think we should remain critical. The problem is, I like the Baltic Sea Scale Graph Tour Auto 2025 limited edition. No, really, I do!
First of all, this is a very beautiful watch in real life. I love the fine, granular dial texture and its icy blue shade. Plus, the big-eye layout with two framed subdials looks cool. And I have a conceptual problem with time markers, but I like the dynamism they provide. Overall, I think the dial looks great.
The Baltic Sea also got its proportions correctly. This is a very wearable watch with plenty of vintage appeal. Certainly, it’s a bit of a tabby, but so does all of its competitors. If you’re listening, develop a slimmer chronograph caliber for us! Would you like to bring us back to the 60s?
Close thoughts
Well, that was a bit of a mixed bag. The problem is that all my complaints are at the concept level. I think the Baltic people are just trying to make a very, very retro racing chronograph and they have been successful. After all, how much chronograph are these watches actually used? Could they not be more than that about reflecting the appeal and appeal of lace? If so, shouldn’t they just look cool instead of making perfect sense?
My answer is the vague “yes and no.” Your mileage may vary and I think it depends on whether you use the watch to calculate your mileage.
What do you think about the new Baltotic Scale Graph Tour Auto 2025 Limited Edition? Let us know in the comments section below!
