Earlier this week, I reviewed a $5,000 Panerai. Today, I’ve got a $175 Baltany. Why? Because I’m The Time Bum, that’s why, and around here, we like fine timepieces and cheap thrills. The Baltany A11 is certainly in the latter category, and there is no shame in that, particularly when it over-delivers for the price.
As you might have guessed, the Baltany A11 is a homage to the storied A-11 U.S. Air Force-issued pilot’s watch. It is not a replica, mind you, but it does carry a few styling cues, most notably, the fluted bezel, dagger hands, and straightforward Arabic number layout.
A tried and true Seiko NH38 automatic movement powers the watch. There are no surprises with this one; it’s reliable, easily serviced, and exactly the kind of workhorse I’d want in a tool watch like this. Yes, I said tool watch. The Baltany A11 has a screw-down crown and a claimed 100m water resistance rating. That’s about all most of us will ever need in our non-scuba adventures.
The Baltany’s stainless steel case is considerably larger than the A11s of old, but comfortably mid-sized at 39mm wide and 46mm long. Like its namesake, it wears a brightly polished finish (the originals were plated brass). With flat sides, no beveled edges, and only a slight arch, it is not a complicated shape, but the rounded, fluted edges of the bezel and caseback lend it a dapper charm that is generally lacking in watches at this humble price point. Weirdly, the fluting on the case back is not the same as that of the bezel. If you compare the photos above and below, you will notice the top is finer on top, and the bottom is thicker. It’s a subtle difference and one you are unlikely to notice when wearing the watch, but it does strike me as an odd choice.
The case back is brushed and engraved in a military-ish style. As far as I can tell, that specification number doesn’t correspond to any historical government order, but again, the watch does not pretend to be a replica. This is all strictly for fun.
I was pleased to discover that the Baltany has a screw-down crown and is good for 100m water resistance. This is more than I’d expect of such an inexpensive watch and about 10 times greater than the original item. Another nicely updated touch is the tall sapphire box crystal that raises the overall thickness to 12.5mm. Regular readers know that I am a strong proponent of acrylic crystals, especially for any watch that adopts a vintage style, but I must confess that anti-reflective coated sapphire is a nice touch.
Such a lovely tall dome! Just dig those edge distortions, melting the numbers. Trippy…
Baltany offers the A11 in a black dial version, and if you place a premium on legibility, that is the one to get. The yellow dial has a mottled surface for an aged effect, and the color shifts from yellow to tan to gold, depending on the light, but the low-contrast combination of yellow hands and yellow lume on a yellow dial definitely sacrifices function for form. It’s a cool color scheme, just not the most practical in daylight.
At night, on the other hand, the watch suffers no such handicap. That Swiss SuperLuminova glows brightly, and I like the way they illuminated a full third of the second hand. In my years of reviewing, I’ve found that the Swiss-labeled stuff is stronger and, I am told, more expensive. Not what I would have expected on a watch that costs a measly $175.
On my 6.75″ wrist, the Baltany A11 fits exactly as one would expect. The size is right in my sweet spot and tucks neatly beneath a buttoned shirt cuff.
Finally, we get to the strap. It is 20mm wide, leather, and secured by an unsigned stainless steel buckle. The leather is not the worst I have experienced, and that is all I can say about the stiff, over-processed stuff. This is the only glaringly low-budget item on the watch, but also the most easily rectified. You would do well to replace it immediately, and considering how little you spent on the A11, you will be able to afford something much nicer. If Baltany had to cut a corner somewhere, this was the place to do it.
And there we have it. For under two bills, I’d expect a watch to have a disposable movement, mineral glass, or water resistance of “moist.” Instead, Baltaly delivers a solid automatic, a sapphire box crystal, quality lume, and a 100m pressure rating. Add to that some charmingly retro looks, and the fact that it needs a simple strap replacement hardly seems like a deal breaker.
If you are looking for a handsome, nicely equipped watch for very little money, check out the A11 at baltany.com. You might be surprised at how much you get.
