I’m not a chronograph guy. Don’t get me wrong; I’ve always appreciated the engineering and history of the design, but a multi-register dial was never to my taste. Marking this year’s Tour Auto Race in France, Baltic’s new limited edition Scalegraph may have converted me. I want my chronograph to offer a comprehensive engagement factor—operationally, visually, and as a conversation piece. On all fronts, the Baltic Scalegraph Tour Auto 2025 takes it far past the finish line.
A Toy for Grown-Ups—With Solid Specs
Though racing technology has advanced beyond chronographs, I think contemporary models should still be high-touch. Fortunately, the Scalegraph runs on a solid, hand-wound Sellita movement with a 63-hour power reserve. I’ve always maintained that manual-winding movements allow you to get to know your timekeeper better. The pushers unscrew, screw back in, and press down easily. Activate and deactivate the stopwatch using the top button, and use the bottom one to reset it. Seeing the chronograph hand snap back to attention is a true delight on any watch. The ultramarine gleam on the Scalegraph’s stopwatch hand adds a bit of glamour to that experience.
The pushers’ screw-down configuration also ups the water resistance to an impressive 100 meters. I wore this timepiece out in some pretty heavy rain, and it came back alive and well. Most importantly, I can’t count the number of times playing with this watch kept me awake during tedious work meetings. There’s a reason why even Omega’s Moonwatch Speedmaster is still built with a hand-winding caliber. With all due respect to the king of chronos though, I find the Scalegraph Tour Auto more visually engaging than the Speedy (I’m not into the all-black aesthetic).
Classy but Celebratory
This watch offers so much to look at and talk about. Glistening applications and pops of bold reds and blues complement the satiny slate blue dial. Appropriately, the palette is reminiscent of vintage Alfa Romeos and Porsches.
The big eye register adds asymmetric charm while hat-tipping to ‘70s racing watches, as does the distortion provided by the double-domed sapphire. I’ve made it a personal challenge to see how far I can bend and stretch the edges of the subdials by moving my wrist around. This visual intrigue is downright psychedelic.
Meanwhile, the beads-of-rice middle links are framed by oyster-style outerlinks. You get some sparkle, but it’s elegantly tempered. I also appreciate the sub-40 case size. Though 39.5 millimeters is slightly big for my tiny wrist, it isn’t monstrous, especially for a chronograph. So from a style perspective, I’ve been able to wear the Scalegraph with a suit and tie to work, with jeans, and even to the beach. Call it French versatility? This watch is an easy wear. It’s what I like to call classy but celebratory. And of course, the Scalegraph Tour Auto is indeed a celebration of its namesake race.
A Conversation Piece
Baltic has been the official timekeeper of the Tour Auto in France for the past three years. In 2025, the racers passed through iconic tracks from Paris to Nice. Participants drive historic sports cars, which is undeniably cool. I love how the Scalegraph captures that spirit. Baltic has also commemorated past competitions with limited-edition Tricompax timepieces.
The event was set up by Peter Auto in 1992, intended as a revival of the Tour de France Automobile. The original tour went defunct in 1986 after 87 years, making it one of the world’s oldest autorallies. Baltic is unabashedly French and focuses on bringing modern creature comforts to vintage designs, so this partnership is a match made in Circuit de Reims-Gueux. In fact, Baltic Racing again participated in this year’s Tour Auto with a 1963 Lotus Elan 26R and a 1965 MG B.
Sure, competitors would love to win some prizes, but it’s really about having fun. It’s an opportunity for enthusiasts to show off their beautiful automobiles. Similarly, the Scalegraph Tour Auto 2025 Limited Edition is legitimately built. It takes itself seriously in that sense, but it’s all about having a great time and looking good.
