Etienne Malec is a French entrepreneur and the founder of Baltic Watches, an independent horological brand established in 2017. His entry into the watchmaking industry was deeply influenced by his late father, a photographer and avid watch collector who meticulously documented his collection of over one hundred timepieces in a detailed journal. After discovering this suitcase of watches and the accompanying records as a teenager, Malec spent fifteen years studying his father’s collection, which laid the foundation for his own vision of watch design.
Before founding Baltic, Malec’s background included photography and extensive travel across Europe, where he further refined his creative perspective. The brand name, Baltic, serves as a tribute to his family’s roots on the northern coast of Poland. This personal history is reflected in the brand’s “neo-vintage” aesthetic, which draws direct inspiration from mid-20th-century timepieces found in his father’s collection.
Under Malec’s leadership, Baltic Watches launched on the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform in 2017 with the HMS 001 and Bicompax 001 models. The campaign was significantly successful, surpassing its funding goals and establishing the brand within the enthusiast community. Malec’s approach to the business emphasizes transparency in production and assembly, with components sourced from Hong Kong and Italy, and watches assembled and adjusted in Besançon, France.
Malec has overseen the expansion of the brand into various collections, including the Aquascaphe diver’s watch and the MR01 micro-rotor dress watch, the latter of which received widespread acclaim for its technical specifications and accessible price point. In 2021, Malec’s standing in the industry was further recognized when Baltic was invited to participate in Only Watch, a prestigious biennial charity auction. Today, Malec continues to direct the brand’s commercial and creative strategy from Paris, maintaining a focus on creating mechanical timepieces that balance historical design cues with modern manufacturing.