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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Baltic got into Only Watch 2021 through a personal introduction, not a competition or an uninvited appearance. Founder Etienne Malec says a mutual friend connected him with Only Watch founder Luc Pettavino; after a long conversation about Baltic’s story and ambitions, Pettavino agreed to take a chance on the young French brand. Baltic then made that invitation count with a one-off monopusher chronograph designed around the charity auction’s medical purpose.
How did Baltic get into Only Watch?
Only Watch began in 2005 as a charity auction supporting research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). By the 2021 edition, it featured many far larger and more established watch names. Baltic’s presence caught the attention of Time+Tide writer Sean Roberts, who asked Malec how the relatively young brand had made the line-up.
Malec told Roberts that a mutual friend introduced him to Pettavino. Their first call lasted a couple of hours and covered Baltic’s origins, Malec’s motivation and his vision for the brand. Malec described the decision as a matter of trust: “Based on trust alone, Luc told me that he was convinced to take the risk to let us in this year.”
That account makes “gatecrashed” a lively description of Baltic’s unlikely arrival, rather than a literal one: the brand was invited after an advocate heard its case. The opportunity rested on a personal relationship, but Baltic still needed a watch that could stand out among the auction’s established participants.
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#1 Best Overall
- Stainless Steel case with Black Resin Band
- Black Dial with date window at 3 O'clock
- Luminous markers and hour hands; sweep second hand
- Anti-reverse bezel
- Water-resistant to 200 M (660 feet)
What was Baltic’s story?
Baltic’s official history says Malec founded the brand in 2016. He traces his interest in watches to his father’s collection and the diary in which his father recorded watches he encountered. The name Baltic refers to his father’s roots on Poland’s northern coast. Malec describes the inheritance of that interest in personal terms: “My passion for watchmaking was born the day I discovered my father’s watch collection.”
There are two dates in the available accounts, attached to different milestones. Baltic says Malec founded the brand in 2016; Only Watch’s profile describes it as crowd-founded in 2017. Those statements need not conflict, but the sources do not explain the precise relationship between founding and crowdfunding, so they should not be collapsed into one launch date.
Rank #2
- Timeless styling that effortlessly takes you from work to play.
- Analog Day/Date
- Silver-Tone Stainless Steel Case with Black Croc Embossed Leather Strap
- Mineral Crystal, White Dial
- 30 Meters Water Resistant and 5 year limited warranty
The 2021 Time+Tide feature characterized Baltic’s watches at the time as rarely costing more than $1,000. Baltic says its direct-to-consumer approach was intended to remove traditional retail margin. Its own production account says most components are made in Hong Kong, watches are assembled and adjusted in France, and straps and accessories are produced in France and Italy respectively. The brand identifies its assembly atelier as being in Besançon; these are Baltic’s disclosures rather than independently verified factory details.
What watch did Baltic make for Only Watch 2021?
Baltic created the Pulsometer Chronograph Monopusher as a unique piece. Its 36mm steel prototype case held a black lacquer dial with applied Breguet numerals, gold-colored hands and a pulsometer scale. A refurbished 1940s Venus 150 manual-wind chronograph movement powered it, with a column wheel and single-pusher operation. The sapphire caseback left the movement visible, while a custom calf-leather strap was made with ABP Concept in Paris.
Rank #3
- Powered by the In-House Orient F6222 Automatic/Hand-Winding/Hacking Movement
- 38.4mm Case Diameter, 44mm Lug to Lug Length
- 20mm Lug Width
- Domed Mineral Crystal
- 30 Meter Water Resistance
The pulsometer was a deliberate reference to Only Watch’s medical-charity purpose. By timing 30 heartbeats, the wearer can use the scale to estimate a patient’s pulse rate. It is a historical chronograph function, not a medical device or a claim of clinical accuracy.
The watch brought together several elements that made Baltic’s entry distinct: a compact prototype case, vintage chronograph mechanics and a charity-linked scale. That translated the brand’s vintage-inspired identity into an object made specifically for the auction, rather than a standard production model.
Rank #4
- CLASSIC MILITARY FIELD WATCH DESIGN — Inspired by historic military watches from the 1940s, the Baltany D12 combines a clean dial layout, highly readable Arabic numerals, and vintage tool-watch aesthetics for everyday adventures.
- COMPACT 39MM VINTAGE CASE — Designed for those who appreciate traditional watch proportions, the 39mm stainless steel case offers a comfortable fit with a timeless vintage appearance suitable for daily wear.
- SCRATCH-RESISTANT SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL — Equipped with premium sapphire crystal, the watch provides excellent clarity and durability, helping protect the dial from everyday scratches while maintaining a clean classic look.
- RELIABLE MECHANICAL MOVEMENT — Powered by a dependable ST1731 Automatic mechanical movement, this field watch delivers accurate timekeeping with minimal maintenance, making it an ideal everyday companion.
- BUILT FOR DAILY EXPLORATION — Featuring 100M water resistance, durable construction, and a comfortable nylon strap, the Baltany field watch is ready for outdoor activities, travel, and everyday adventures.
How much did the Baltic Only Watch sell for?
Baltic’s official 2021 archive lists an estimate of CHF 12,000–18,000 and reports that the unique watch sold for CHF 50,000. The archive does not say whether the result is a hammer price or includes the buyer’s premium, so the figure is best stated as Baltic reports it.
That is a striking result against the estimate for this one-off charity lot. It does not establish the market value of Baltic’s production watches or, by itself, show that the brand had reached the standing of the established haute horlogerie houses alongside it.
What happened after Baltic’s first Only Watch appearance?
Baltic returned for a second participation in the 2023 edition with a very different project: the Baltic Experiments Premier Quantième Perpétuel, developed with Maclef. Only Watch’s lot page describes a 37mm steel-and-titanium case, three sub-registers, a pointer date and a newly developed perpetual-calendar module based on a Vaucher 5401 micro-rotor movement. It was a perpetual-calendar project, not a continuation of the 2021 pulsometer chronograph.
Quick Recap
Sources
- Sean Roberts, Time+Tide, July 17, 2021 — interview with Malec and contemporary account of Baltic’s invitation and 2021 watch.
- Baltic Watches, “Our history” — the brand’s account of Malec’s inspiration, sales approach and production.
- Baltic Watches, “Baltic x Only Watch – 2021” — the watch’s specifications, estimate and reported result.
- Only Watch, “Only Watch – Baltic” — the 2023 lot and later participation details.
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