Don’t stare at the sun they say….
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Yes, common sense perhaps – but the first time I saw the Halios Seaforth, in one of its many iterations, I did stare at the sun….and I loved it! Turns out that Halios actually means ‘of the sea’ and not ‘sun’. So, there went my retina for nothing...but I guess it gave me some ideas for photographing the watch.
Eye damage aside, before I even properly took up collecting watches, the Seaforth came up in many of the other design/geek blogs that I read every day. Since both obtaining one and the price range was out of my reach at the time, I simply followed the brand on Instagram and figured – one day. Annoyingly, the stunning watches kept appearing in various feeds so I started nurturing a thought of perhaps obtaining one. Since I had just started a very small, budget conscious collection I still figured it was out of reach. The biggest barrier to entry with the brand, is actually obtaining one. Amazingly, it seems there are people speculating and reselling at a higher cost due to the desirability of the Halios watches. As irritating as that is, I think it’s worth commending the creator of a small micro brand on such an achievement. |
So, I started hovering on the website which is as sparse as Olly Moss’s one (another amazing artist where you simply have to get lucky timing wise to buy).
But one day, a note from Jason (the owner) on his website blog, saying something along the lines of ‘I have a few bronze watches left’. I, as well as likely hundreds of others, left a note saying – yep, I’d love one! A few days went past and on the off chance, I checked my spam filter, and there was an invitation and a link to buy from Jason on my preferred, the fume grey. It was unfortunate timing money wise, but out came the credit card and purchase was made. As with many microbrands, you deal with the owner/designer himself. I asked if I could purchase a leather band as well and a charming reply was received of ‘I’ll see what I have lying around’. The whole process was brilliant, and I loved it. It's commonly known that the future of online shopping is personalisation, and running a microbrand, you are able to absolutely nail that if you make an effort. |
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A few weeks later, the package appeared and I managed to smuggle it past the ever watching eye of the gate keeper, my beloved. Hiding away in a quiet corner of the house, where I could easily catch any suspicious, approaching footsteps - I opened the package.
In the box, a grey wallet style folder was revealed. Inside was a lovely hand written note from Jason thanking me for the purchase and how he’d love to come to Melbourne one day. I struggle to think of a better introduction to a device of any kind than this. Also inside, 3 x watch bands. Another surprise which was so appreciated. Finally, the watch itself. I appreciate good design. Whether it’s the cameras I use, mobile phones or the car I drive. You don’t have to be wealthy to buy well and this is such an example. The Halios Seaforth bronze is quite simply the most beautiful object that I own (and there’s good competition in my collection). I thought it when I received it and still do. So where to start?
The watchface. I chose the fume grey version. It seems that the green and blue models were the more popular ones based on what I’ve read – but I only had eyes for grey. It’s absolutely stunning in person. I feel the grey actually lifts the golden details and perhaps does not compete in the way that a colour would. The light to dark grey sunburst effect is also just perfect. More than any other watch I own, this catches my eye on the wrist. It reflects light in such a great way and the applied markers reflects light so well. It’s also a very good looking printed logo and model name which adds to the overall look. I will say this, I have no interest in gold watches. I’ve never been attracted to them nor the ostentatious aura that it brings, and can't see myself ever wearing one. So in that light, it’s quite odd that this colour has somehow snuck its way on to my wrist. However, the watch face aside, the bronze case has already started developing patina which I hope comes across on the photos. I guess I can keep telling myself that gold is not for me with the patina eventually darkening to something a bit more subtle. Handling the watch, your skin does react with the bronze which means your fingers can smell a bit metallic, this is normal. |
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On to the case. Yes, it’s shiny when first received and it still is after a few months of wearing – but it’s changing slowly. Jason uses a aluminium nickle bronze which is a little lighter and takes longer to develop patina than many of the other brands out there that release bronze watches. It’s a lovely shade of silvery gold that appears to be darkening more like brass than bronze. I love the shade and look forward to seeing it change.
The back of the watch is a plain screw-in with model number, water resistance and what I am guessing is the numbered edition. Sure, it would have been nice with a display style sapphire crystal on the back as well, it’s always lovely to get a closer look at any mechanical movement, but it’s likely that this would have added to the cost so not a big deal to me. Aside from the colour, the proportions are absolutely spot on and it wears beautifully. It’s obviously a very round watch, but the way the lugs have been designed, it does not appear ‘puck like’. The screw in crown has the Halios logo and pops out perfectly for when you need to adjust it. The ETA 2824 movement ensures easy servicing and parts, but it’s also a very nice, heavy feel. You do get the sensation of actually moving cogs about when you adjust the watch. |
Movement
Strap
The default strap is the black rubber. It's simple but looks good on the watch. The buckle is bronze that matches the case well. Case
miscellaneous
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As per the photos, there are some very proud, prominent crown guards on this watch that look beautiful and adds to the overall beauty of the watch. If there was one tiny nitpick that I had, it’s that in my opinion, the transition from lug to crown guard is just a tiny bit uneven, or rather, leaves a small edge. It’s been done through a small angular transition piece which looks great from the side and also underneath, but it leaves that a small edge where the lug/guard meets the circular section of the case.
Now really, I’m trying to find something, anything, to pick on because I’m absolutely in love with the watch (if that’s not obvious so far) so enough on that. |
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The dial is covered by a sapphire crystal that sits square on top and is yet another detail to fawn over. From some angles, you get the milky white circle that sapphire crystals tend to produce and you get that lovely distortion from the 45 degree angle that you’d expect. It’s perfect and looks stunning on and off the wrist.
Another impressive detail (I’ll stop soon) is the lume. It’s seriously ‘Seiko good'. I have a few other watches with lume and whilst they’re all ok, the lume on this watch is super bright and competes with my Seiko Prospex for perfection. |
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Final Words
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Obtaining any Halios watch is a bit of a lottery if you don’t want to pay the premium on a second hand version. This is annoying, but let’s be honest – when you do finally get one, it makes it even more special right? Also, we’re not talking crazy Rolex money here so either way, it’s worth the price. Jason is doing his best to keep things fair with the ability to express interest, pay deposits etc but I think it’s fair to say it’s pretty challenging for a one man band to balance supply/desirability.
My advice would be to keep an eye on the blog / Instagram and if you do express interest in upcoming models, don’t be disheartened by lack of replies etc. Your email will be received and you’d be fairly likely to be in with a chance if you’re early…and, keep an eye on that spam filter! If you’re after a long sold out model, suck it up and buy it second hand at whatever premium is requested, based on my experience with this model, you’re unlikely to regret it. Cheers, Esbjorn |
19 cm wrist
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