Affordable Luxury Watches with Ancient Mineral Dials
The realm of luxury horology increasingly treasures the elemental beauty of natural stone dials. Crafted from thin slabs of minerals like malachite, tiger eye, or lapis lazuli, these dials transform a watch face into a unique canvas showcasing nature’s artistry, a feature typically commanding premium prices from prestigious houses like Rolex or Audemars Piguet. It’s a welcome surprise, then, when a brand known for accessibility embraces this exquisite detail. French microbrand Baltic has done precisely that, unveiling three limited-edition variations of its Prismic dress watch, each graced with a dial of genuine, ancient stone. 
These special Prismic Stone models commemorate the opening of Baltic’s third global showroom, located in New York City – their first American outpost, joining existing boutiques in Paris and London. Each replica watch features a dial meticulously cut from a unique, millennia-old stone slab, chosen to embody the spirit of one of Baltic’s flagship cities. The vibrant Green Jade dial captures New York’s energetic essence, the swirling patterns of the Red Agate version evoke London’s dynamic character, and the deep blue Lapis Lazuli reflects the timeless elegance of Baltic’s home city, Paris. The inherent variations within each stone ensure no two dials are identical, mirroring the individuality of the metropolises they represent.
Beyond the captivating stone centerpieces, the watches retain the distinctive design elements of the Prismic “cocktail watch” released earlier this year. The 36mm case presents a sophisticated, sculptural profile crafted from a unique five-part combination of polished stainless steel and lightweight Grade 5 titanium. A supple, fitted steel mesh bracelet complements the case, flowing seamlessly into the lugs. Protecting the stone dial is a dramatically domed sapphire crystal, while the reverse offers a view of the slender, manually-wound ETA movement through a sapphire exhibition caseback, its decorated components visible. 
The Prismic’s original design already stood apart in the market; the addition of these extraordinary mineral dials elevates its uniqueness significantly. Remarkably, Baltic offers this touch of high-end horology at a fraction of the typical cost associated with natural stone dials. Each city-inspired variant is strictly limited to 200 pieces. Priced at €1,310 (approximately $1,454) on the steel mesh bracelet, opting for the leather strap alternative reduces the cost by €60 (roughly $67). While each stone version will be physically available in its namesake city’s showroom, all three models will also be offered globally via Baltic’s official website, with sales commencing on September 19th.