Drivers, start your engines, because the race is about to begin!
And it's not just any race - it's the Tour Auto 2024, a classic road rally, also known as the Tour de France Automobile. The race makes use of the open roads of France and iconic racing tracks like Le Mans.
This year, Baltic has been appointed as the official timekeeper of the event for the second time. What better way to celebrate this occasion than with the second limited edition of the Baltic Tricompax in collaboration with Tour Auto 2024?
The first Baltic Tricompax LE model was released in the summer of 2022 and had serious 70s racing vibes. Since then, the successful French watch brand has also released two standard versions of the Tricompax in "panda" and "reverse panda" configurations. The new Tour Auto 2024 version is the most unusual of all four, not just because of its different colors. Let's take a look.
Baltic × Tour Auto 2024 Tricompax
Before we delve into the differences, let me tell you that the new Baltic × Tour Auto 2024 Tricompax has the same dimensions as the previous versions. This means a stainless steel case diameter of 39.5 mm, a thickness of 13.5 mm (including a 2.5 mm thick double-domed sapphire crystal), and a lug-to-lug length of 47 mm.
The top of the drilled lugs and the sides of the case are matte. This look pairs beautifully with the matte blue aluminum bezel insert, which features a tachymeter scale.
From the side, the Tricompax has a thin, stylish mid-case, while the bezel flares out slightly. This is precisely the vintage style that many people love, and Baltic has done a great job of recreating it.
The vintage vibe is further supported by the matte and polished flat link bracelet that comes with the Tricompax Tour Auto. For convenience, its folding clasp features a couple of holes for micro-adjustment.
The signed crown at the "3 o'clock" position allows for the operation of the hand-wound Sellita SW510-M chronograph movement housed within the Tricompax case. This movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and is equipped with 23 jewels. It has a power reserve of about 60 hours.
Historic Tour Colors
Next, we move to the dial - what sets the Tricompax Tour Auto 2024 apart from its predecessors. Unlike previous versions, this one does not feature a panda or reverse panda dial.
Instead, this time a cream main dial is paired with white sub-dials with thick black lines, making them stand out. The sub-dials at the "3" and "6 o'clock" positions display the chronograph minutes and hours respectively. Both are colored in hues inspired by the historic shades of Tour Auto.
Additionally, both watches feature a small blued dauphine hand that matches the blue central chronograph hand. It hovers over the polished, luminescent hour and minute hands. The third sub-dial at the "9 o'clock" position functions as a running seconds hand and is equipped with a red crosshair.
New to the design are the large printed Arabic numerals indicating the hours. They replace the applied markers found on previous models. In my view, they give the Tricompax a slightly sportier look.
Finally, a black ring with a minute/chronograph seconds scale and the Baltic logo at the "12 o'clock" position. The inscription below it indicates the brand's role as the official timekeeper of Tour Auto 2024.
Collectible Set Including a Rally Timer
Each Baltic × Tour Auto 2024 Tricompax model comes in a large box, which also includes a stopwatch and dashboard clock. They are attached to a metal plate that can be mounted on the dashboard of your classic racing car. The stopwatch is powered by a mechanical Hanhart movement.
Pleasingly, it features a flyback complication for instant reset and restart of the chronograph. The dial is in the same colors as the Tricompax, and one sub-dial tracks elapsed minutes. The black dial clock is equipped with a hand-wound Seagull ST3600 movement (a clone of the ETA/Unitas 6497).
Available This Monday, April 22, 2024.
I think this new Tricompax model is another winner for Baltic. It carries the same vintage spirit as many other watches from the brand. The great thing is that they truly look like a vintage chronograph but don't cost as much as one in good condition.
In my opinion, this is one of the brand's advantages. Next week, we will be attending Tour Auto 2024, so we'll return with a story about it and a full hands-on experience with the new Tricompax.
The Baltic × Tour Auto 2024 Tricompax watches are released as a limited edition of 500 pieces. The watches, including a stopwatch, dashboard clock, and blue Alcantara strap, will go on sale this Monday, April 22, 2024, at 4:00 PM Central European Time (Paris). The Tour Auto 2024 will also take place on the same day. The cost of this set is 2,100 euros excluding VAT.
The previous limited edition Tricompax sold out very quickly, so you'll need to hurry if you want to get these watches. Delivery of the watches will be in May this year. For more information, be sure to visit the official Baltic website.
What do you think of the new Baltic × Tour Auto 2024 Tricompax? Let us know in our Telegram channel.