r/Baltanywatches

Engine-turned vs. Smooth vs. Fluted, which bezel are you picking?

I didn't know engine-turned bezel before this Baltany release. I usually prefer smooth bezel, but I am so glad I went with this one. It catches the light just right—plenty of personality, but not as loud as a fully fluted bezel. Combined with the linen dial and incredible crystal clarity, it looks like a much more expensive watch!

My only real critique is the clasp. I know the stamped clasp is a deliberate vintage touch, but a solid milled option would have been great.

Still, this bezel was a huge pleasant surprise. Which bezel you guys prefer?

u/Efficient-Fact-288 — 3 days ago
▲ 246 r/Baltanywatches+1 crossposts

Baltany is the king of vintage design homages. Their first run at the Omega pie-pan homage (S4090) was 38.5mm and had rounded dog leg lugs. They also had a crosshair dial with the S4092. Both releases were great but both felt like a few aspects kept it from being perfect. I'd argue that they learned from both S4090 and S4092 and released perhaps the most cohesive design to date.

I've worn it a week straight and here are some of my thoughts:

  1. The pie pan dial is a classic for a reason. The light play between the center dodecagon and the outer brushed ring makes this watch glow in all lighting. Picture 5 was taken in very very low lighting to highlight how it almost glows in the dark.
  2. The AR is incredibly good. Only a handful of other watches perhaps match it in clarity. Baltany is still the best in having consistently great AR on crystals across their entire lineup.
  3. The crosshair does not pass through the "Baltany" like it did on the S4092! I know that there are examples of watches where the crosshair does indeed pass through the texts on the dial, but it always makes me question if it was just an oversight or laziness to correct such an overlap on a dial. For me, the way the crosshair was done is a definite improvement and shows an intentional design decision.
  4. That super low rehaut just screams premium!
  5. In my opinion, 36mm is still ideal for vintage designs. This watch is all dial with its thin bezel and wears bigger than my other 36mm watches. If you truly have huge wrists, the S4090 might be more preferable for you at 38.5mm.
  6. The faceted dog leg lugs complete the look for this watch and complements the pie-pan and the 10 sided crown. For me, this is an improvement over the rounded dog legs on the S4090.
  7. The date window at 3 o'clock has a faceted frame! Some would have preferred that Baltany broke from the original and placed it at the 6 o'clock. I wouldn't have minded it at the 6, but this watch just gives off such an old-timey feel that I think the traditional placement at the 3 is more appropriate.
  8. The date wheel is not color matched to the dials! This would have bothered me had I not gone with the silver dial which matches very nicely. If a white date window bothers you on a gold, salmon, or black dial, maybe go with the silver dial.
  9. The Miyota 9015 is way quieter than my other watches with the same movement such as the Lorier Astra and Falcon. Can others chime in on the rotor noise from their S4106? Did I just get a lucky one?
  10. The custom rotor is cool. It wouldn't have moved the needle for me either way, but I definitely don't mind having it.
  11. Legibility is fine at most angles as the light reflects differently between the polished and faceted hands and the brushed sunburst dial. But note that there are definitely angles where the dial is shining so brightly that the hands are hard to make out.
  12. The hardened steel treatment places Baltany as 1 of 2 brands that even offers this feature. Bravo!

(Last two shots are mirror shots with one being flipped for clarity)

u/Firstruleofthisclub — 7 days ago

Where to buy? (Germany)

Hello everyone.

I want to buy S4106 but I need it shipped to Germany within a week. Are there any stores that have stock in EU?

u/ridzayahilas — 2 days ago
▲ 79 r/Baltanywatches+6 crossposts

I’d like to share a little but eye opening revelation I just had.

They say that “comparison is the thief of joy” and in this case it’s true as well but it totally helped me not make an impulse purchase of a watch I won’t wear that often anyways.

Was just about to purchase a WD EXD 40 mm in black but decided not to and instead get a Damasko DK30 one day or a homage if available. Two different watches so why did I let go of the WD? I mean it’s perfectly built after all. Credits to Watchdives here.

I compared two wrist pictures with both watches and the WD is just too busy compared to the German minimalist Damasko which has a vibe I simply prefer. Before the comparison I wasn’t able to put my finger on, why the WD did not feel “right” to me.

The lesson is to not impulse buy simply because I like most aspects of a watch but instead to be more critical and take a moment to compare it with something that might truly excite me, like, something with similar features as in this case both are tool watches with a black and white theme but only one of these is calling to me.

Won’t be buying anything for a while and just try to sell, reduce and get only what truly resonates.

u/SoberObserver — 8 days ago

This piece is noticeably thinner than my Steeldive. It's actually pretty rare to see an NH35 case slimmed down to 11.5mm, especially since most Steeldive and Pagani models sit around the 13mm mark.

The transition from the brushed case to the polished sides is just excellent. The finishing honestly makes it feel like a much more expensive watch. Another interesting detail is the "Baltany" engraving on the inner rehaut. It’s a cool Rolex-style touch that you don't see very often, but I actually think it's a bit unnecessary since you can barely even notice it anyway.

u/Royal-Consequence557 — 6 days ago

This my first Baltany, and my first dress watch that is not a true vintage. My first impressions:
- Sizing is spot on for my 6.75 inch wrist. Vintage proportions but doesn’t feel fragile or old
- Case finishing is great, but the dial is where this watch shines bright. The way it plays with the light is amazing!
- Legibility of the champagne dial with gold markers and hands is not great, but the overall look is so good
- Crown is small which fits the design, but it is not the easiest to set the time, it is not very grippy.
- Baltany leather strap is supple and seems of good quality but I prefer black leather for gold watches, so I immediately swapped it for a lizzard glossy black one.
- Caseback is really nice, and I love the miyota 9000 series. Some subtle rotor spinning noise, but nothing annoying

What would make this watch even better for me:
- Option to order a bracelet for it. Gold beads-of-rice would be sooo good.
- Make the crown grippier/bigger
- Make the dial a bit lighter so there is some contrast with the markers and hands

u/tverbrug — 11 days ago

D12 with a olive canvas strap

Picked up the D12 and had to put an olive canvas on it. Definitely going to be my daily for a long time. The nato strap this came with felt very poor in quality tbh.

u/Turbulent_Bed1076 — 4 days ago
▲ 68 r/Baltanywatches+1 crossposts

The brown sunburst dial is my fav part, it looks way better than the pic on their site. Also, the grain on the case brushing is exceptionally smooth. I think the finishing easily rivals San Martin. And they even managed to hit that tiny sub-second hand with lume. Honestly, the lume performance on this thing puts another Hamilton field watch I’ve ever owned to shame.😅

The only bummer is that they don't offer this colorway in the smaller version. This one just wears a bit too big for my wrist. Anyway, what's the holy piece with solid lume beside this one? Post your lume shots here!!🤩

u/Efficient-Fact-288 — 12 days ago

I ordered on April 23 and received on may 2nd so 9 days shipping to Texas for anyone who is curious about shipping timeframe. I was worried when I first opened it up the movement seemed to stick and the second hand would stutter. I let it sit for a day and gave it a good few “seiko shakes” and wound it manually. It ran for the past 24 hours without issue, so today is the first day on wrist.

I’m really pleased with the 36mm size, I was a bit worried because I have a 7-7.25” wrist. The bracelet feels nice. The clasp is a little finicky and doesn’t always secure unless you press it a certain way. The leather envelope isn’t anything crazy but oddly satisfying. It feels more pleasing than just another watch box sitting in the closet.

So far I am pleased. I plan on wearing it daily for a while and getting some good use out of it. I have some straps waiting for it also that I’m excited to try out.

u/medicdan88 — 8 days ago

Dear Baltany pleaaase consider these colors and these points:

Gold on green
Gold on gold/Champagne
Gold on black

Hidden clasp
NO DIAMONDS
THIN case
Same prepositions as a classic rolex and of course in 36mm

u/Efficient_Memory8678 — 6 days ago
▲ 43 r/Baltanywatches+1 crossposts

Got this military chrono some time ago. What a pleasant surprise for $80. Seiko movement, gorgeous sapphire with heavy AR coating and a nice sunburst dial. I have watches 20+times the price, and this humble Baltany doesn't look cheaper. Just put it on a vintage leather NATO-wow!

u/Wild_Neighborhood605 — 7 days ago

I was skeptical at first since my watches were always between 38 and 40 mm, but 36 mm turned out to be the perfect size. It feels more comfortable, looks more elegant, and isn’t as small as expected.

+ I really like the watch/strap combination.

u/Pyrrhussieg — 13 days ago