Baltic is a modern French watch brand founded in 2017 by Etienne Malec, inspired by his father’s vintage watch collection. The name “Baltic” pays homage to Malec’s Polish roots and the Baltic Sea. The brand quickly gained attention through Kickstarter, where its first models — the HMS and Bicompax — combined vintage aesthetics with modern reliability. Baltic’s designs draw heavily from 1940s–1960s watchmaking, featuring domed acrylic crystals, step cases, and mechanical movements from Seiko, Miyota, or Swiss makers like Sellita. Based in Besançon, France’s traditional watchmaking hub, Baltic emphasizes hand-assembled watches, transparency, and affordability. Notable releases include the Aquascaphe dive watch, Tricompax chronograph, and MR01 micro-rotor model, each praised for their proportions and attention to detail. In just a few years, Baltic has earned a loyal following among enthusiasts for reviving mid-century charm with contemporary craftsmanship and accessible luxury.