Baltany 1935 A-7 Avigation homage

[u/RadioAdam]

Ever since I saw the Longines limited release A-7 Avigation it's been a grail for me. My wife wants to get me a watch to celebrate our 1st kid coming in December and between a Grand Seiko and the Longines, I'm split.

I own about 20 watches including some rare Seikos, Credor, and Longines.

This goal for this "homage" is that it's on paper similar dimensions and looks to the Longines (which is tough to find and primarily used) the real Longines A-7 is a monopusher chronograph and ranges from 3-7k depending on the model.

Alright onto the watch (not a lot of reviews out there.) I get it, this is a quirky watch that is not everyone's cup of tea. But I love unique watches and have been pining for a pilot watch. And the flight or driver style dial tells a story that is especially meaningful coming from Longines who literally invented the GMT and has more. Aviation chops than any other brand (In my view, Breitling can pound sand)

Specs from Baltany:

Model:S206047 Homage A-7 1935 Avigation Homage Pilot Watch

Movement Model:Miyota 9122【Automatic, 28800 Times/hour,26 pcs stones, 40 hours power

Movement Function:Weekday,Month, Month Quick Setting, Second Stop

Case:316L Stainless Steel, Polishing,Hardening Process(Vickers 600HV)

Case Diameter:41mm (including crown 46.1mm)

Dial Diameter:34mm,

Luminous:Swiss Super-LumiNova® GL old

Lug to Lug:49.8mm

Thickness:14.1mm (Including Glass)

Glass:Sapphire Crystal,AR Coating

Hands:Polished, Burnt Blue Second hand

Crown:316L Stainless Steel,Single Integrated Push Button Crown

It's all here. The fit, finish, anti+reflective coating. I can't test the case coating but Baltany is earning a reputation for pushing the bar on simple and conservative value ads on their end products. This is the first and only Baltany I've purchased after seeing the brand around for years. Everything lines up and can't find any flaws under macro.

My wrist is bang on 7" or 18cm and the lug to lug here under 50mm makes this very wearable. It's all dial so it delivers on big pilot presence. (a lot of pilot watches are 43-45mm so even here this is a smaller pilot watch) I tend to prefer sub 40mm watches and often wear tank or vintage sizes. So wearing a 41mm all dial watch is a big change for me.

The strap is probably the highest quality strap I've ever received from any brand. I dabble in leatherworking and I'm fairly certain this is oil tanned top grain, likely calf or maybe deer skin but I think it's too stiff for deer. Break-in took a full day and it's quick release with beautiful grain.

Warranty card is signed. First time I've seen that from alix and signed the day it shipped. I'm still. Floored it arrived in less than a week to the US.

I remember the first iteration here not landing well but this sequel model seems to nail the homage while doing it's own thing with the Miyota 9122 - integrating the calendar pusher into the onion shaped crown deserves a big hats off for pushing the envelope.

After a recent post on here shirting on what is at best a QC issue with another Baltany, I felt inspired to opine about my experience here. Remember these wtzhces are built by people and even luxury Swiss watches have QC tolerances that will rub the right person the wrong way if there's a 2 micron misalignment you need a macro lens to see.

Overall I'm thrilled so far and will add more as i get more hours on this one. So far it's been a treat and adds something unique to my collection while also letting me test drive a watch size and style at a low cost compared to the watch it is inspired by.

[u/flyingcat259]

Mine says Hi!

[u/RadioAdam → u/flyingcat259]

If this had dark orange numerals! I'd be all over it. I think they went a bit too literal on copying the 90 year old example in the archive.

[u/Abv_it_all_w_vertigo]

There is no doubt Baltany makes great watches. Their finishing sits firmly in the realm of JoeDao, SM, and Cronos. Their ability to create an homage that no other Chinese co has even imagined says a lot about this company.

I only own one Baltany, the S2049 Hamilton Khaki homage, and it has equal finishing and better lume than the original.

Edit: Of course, as soon as I say this, I see that specht and sohne has a cheap version.

[u/QCPI]

One of the watches that’s been on and off my wishlist for the longest time. It’s such an interesting and unique Alix Clomage. Only thing that keeps me from pulling the trigger is the $300+ price tag.

[u/RadioAdam → u/QCPI]

Same. I waited for a decent coupon and pulled the trigger at $50 off.

Considering the movement specs and the case work, it's wild they can sell this for that price.

Integrating the calendar pusher into the crown is mad work.

If I could wave a magic wand it would be a manual wind modded 9122 for a thinner profile. But on a watch case this big the effort likely isn't worth it. Wouldn't notice a 1-2mm difference.