This MR01 “Blue Roulette” is part of a 300-piece, limited edition collaboration between Baltic and A Collected Man. A modern watch which takes inspiration from the charm of certain vintage pieces, it brings elements of classical watchmaking into a more accessible context.

Drawing inspiration from early mid-century dress watches, and in particular the Patek Philippe Calatrava reference 96, the MR01 Blue Roulette pays subtle homage to this era. A time when function and form were characterised by elegance and clear lines, this time-only piece brings elements of classical watchmaking into modern conversations. The Blue Roulette is limited to 300 pieces, all of which are individually numbered.

One of the first things you will notice about the watch is its roulette dial, revisiting an aesthetic from the past, but in a contemporary, bold blue. Roulette dials are only found on a small handful of vintage pieces and take their nickname from the way the hour numeral track is designed, resembling a casino roulette wheel. The dial construction here plays with levels and texture, from the contrasting polished rings stepping down to a subtle grain on the base, reminiscent of some of our favourite neo-vintage pieces. These details came from the feeling that many modern watch dials are often quite unidimensional, whilst vintage pieces integrate much more texture and depth.

Building on a darker colour found in some of their other models, Baltic designed a blue shade with more azure tones, to create greater vivacity, whilst remaining subtle. Meanwhile, the serif numerals are rendered in a warm off-white, which are then paired with sharp dauphine hands. Thoughtfully designed by Baltic, the numerals yet again take inspiration from earlier pieces, with details like the flat “4” and open “9” capturing the attention of vintage aficionados. In keeping with the desire to create a piece which blends the past and the present, the watch integrates a subsidiary seconds which is asymmetrically placed at 7 o’clock, breaking traditional design codes.

Made from a combination of brushed and polished stainless steel, with a 30-metre water resistance, it’s a watch tough enough to be worn for the entire day, with the clarity of a well-considered design. We chose to integrate a brushed finish on the bezel and top of the lugs, to offer a more muted, almost utilitarian feel that instantly modernises the watch. Meanwhile, the widely spaced and downward sloping lugs create a strong presence despite its 36mm size and slim crown. Powered by the micro-rotor movement found across Baltic’s MR01 range, it retains the slim profile of the finished watch at 9.9mm, whilst ensuring it maintains a power reserve of 42 hours.

Closer look

Condition

All of our Baltic for A Collected Man MR01 Blue Roulette watches are brand new and factory-sealed.

Warranty

The MR01 Blue Roulette comes with a 24-month warranty through . For warranty-related concerns, buyers will need to contact BALTIC directly.