The story behind this Baltic Bicompax 003
The French watchmaker Baltic has made a name for itself by offering neo-vintage timepieces that are highly faithful to their historical counterparts. This Baltic Bicompax 003 exemplifies this approach by drawing on the aesthetic codes of 1940s chronographs. The choice of movement is, moreover, no coincidence. It houses a direct descendant of the famous Swiss Venus 175 calibre, the blueprints and tooling for which were transferred to the Chinese Air Force in the 1960s to enable them to design their own issue chronographs. This historical lineage lends the Bicompax 003 genuine mechanical legitimacy and preserves a traditional design that is now highly prized by enthusiasts.
Case, movement and strap of this Bicompax 003
The stainless steel case has a modest diameter of 36.5 mm and a thickness of 13 mm. The case’s design centres on a polished stepped bezel and brushed sides. The straight, perforated lugs make the watch easy to handle. The salmon-coloured dial is divided into several sections to enhance legibility. The textured central area contrasts with a smooth intermediate ring, framing two recessed sub-dials displaying the seconds and the chronograph’s 30-minute count. Raised hour markers and leaf-shaped steel hands complete this display, which is protected by a deeply domed Hesalite crystal. The Seagull ST1901 hand-wound mechanical movement can be viewed through the open case back. Featuring 21 jewels, it oscillates at 3 Hertz and offers a 42-hour power reserve. A black Saffiano-style leather strap secures the watch to the wrist with a classic pin buckle.
Why choose this Baltic watch
This chronograph is designed for enthusiasts of classic proportions who seek the charm of the past without the fragility of a vintage timepiece. The combination of the salmon-coloured dial and the stepped case creates a warm and nuanced visual effect in the light, reinforcing its classic appearance. Its main appeal also lies in its mechanical architecture. Offering a column-wheel chronograph with a sapphire crystal caseback remains a rare find in this segment, sought after by collectors keen to acquire a noble complication whilst retaining great versatility on the wrist. On the pre-owned market, this model offers a compelling entry point into traditional mechanical watchmaking. Its robust design, combined with water resistance to 50 metres, makes it a reliable timepiece for everyday use, whilst retaining an aesthetic of great finesse.
Contents and condition
This timepiece is supplied in a black lacquered wooden presentation box by The Swiss Collector, complete with its internal cushion. The watch is in very good overall condition, showing signs of careful wear. A few superficial micro-scratches, inherent to normal use, are visible on the polished surfaces of the bezel, whilst the Saffiano leather strap is in near-new condition. A cosmetic polish can be carried out on request to restore a mirror-polished finish to the entire watch.
Warranty and delivery
The Swiss Collector guarantees the authenticity of this timepiece. It comes with a 24-month warranty to ensure your peace of mind with your purchase. We accept returns within 10 days in accordance with our terms and conditions. As Switzerland’s leading second-hand retailer, backed by the largest network of shops, we offer online booking for a fitting and collection in-store, or fully secure international delivery.
* Very good condition – watch has been worn and polished. Slight signs of external wear. Case and strap in excellent overall condition.
