Baltic has returned with the long anticipated Mk 2 versions of their Bicompacx chronograph and HMS three hander. We?re pretty big fans of this overarching design (we?re a little biased) so it?s great to see Baltic?s take on a sector dial layout make it to their permanent collection. The Bicompax and HMS are foundational to Baltic as a brand, having launched them into the consciousness of watch lovers upon their debut back in 2017. The first versions of these watches were a hit with fans for their vintage look and feel, and Baltic soon spun off the success of those first timepieces into sportier, toolier watches with a similar aesthetic and the same highly thought out approach. With several successful releases behind them, these watches feel like the start of a new chapter for the brand. Let?s take a closer look. 
The inspiration behind the HMS and Bicompax always had roots in watches from the 1940s, and that really hasn?t changed much with these new versions. They do, however, bear a distinct Art Deco vibe that wasn?t present in the original watches thanks to the sector dial layout seen on both the chronograph and time only variants. The details, as always, are critical, and the Mk 2 dials reward careful scrutiny when you examine the finishing. The contrast between the brushing in the 12 hour ring and the textured finish in the interior sector appears to be very well executed. The Bicompax, by virtue of being a chronograph, has some added visual interest in the s...