In this edition of the Analog Explorer Podcast, I catch up with Rémi Martin, the showroom manager of Baltic’s New York boutique, live from the Vancouver Timepiece Show.
Rémi highlighted how rare it is for a microbrand to have even one physical showroom, let alone three around the world. For Baltic, these spaces are more than just retail locations, they’re vital opportunities to offer any potential wearer a direct hands-on connection with the brand. Whether it’s through their showrooms or events like the Vancouver Timepiece Show, Baltic creates space for both seasoned watch-enthusiasts and curious watch-muggles to discover a personal link to the pieces they produce. Trying on a watch lets people connect to a piece, whether it’s a bold statement like the Prismic with its hardstone dial or the beloved Aquascaphe, in a way no online render ever could. As Rémi pointed out, watches today aren’t about necessity; they’re about desire. They’re emotional objects, often tied to memories, legacies, or identity. “You don’t need a watch anymore,” he said. “So if it’s not fun, if you don’t feel something when you wear it, what’s the point?”
“You don’t need a watch anymore…So if it’s not fun, if you don’t feel something when you wear it, what’s the point?”
-Rémi Martin
2024 Season : Refining Baltic
This season, Baltic is looking at refinement and focusing on elevating what already resonates. That includes a fresh take on the Hermétique line. Playfully dubbed “Hermétique Summer,” the brand is possibly playing with new materials and subtle design shifts that gently push the collection beyond Baltic’s usual comfort zone. As for the Aquascaphe, Rémi teased some quiet but meaningful updates. He didn’t reveal much (I tried), but if you’re a fan of the line, then it’s definitely something to keep an eye on.
If you want to be the first to know what’s cooking, definitely give Baltic a follow on Instagram @balticwatches or better yet, sign up for their newsletter at baltic-watches.com to stay in the loop.
Big thanks to the Vancouver Timepiece Show for creator and media access for these conversations. Keep your eye on timepieceshow.com for updates on the upcoming Toronto Timepiece Show.
🎧 Subscribe and listen to the full episode now, wherever you get your podcasts, or support the Analog Explorer on Substack.
Previously, on the Analog Explorer
AE. 25 | Etienne Malec & Baltic Watches
Etienne Malec is the founder and Chef d’Orchestre behind Baltic Watches. He is a photographer, classic car collector, and a friend of ours in the #watchfam.
Baltic Aquascaphe Bronze: three years of patina and adventure
As we come to Father's Day 2023, it marks two things for me. First, it's been three years since Covid-19 derailed anything we saw as "normal." Second, it's been three years of wearing a bronze watch and watching it patina; the Baltic Aquascaphe Bronze.
