13 replies to this topic

[KrispyDK]

For those that haven't heard of them before, Halios are a small watch brand selling directly over the internet from Canada. They currently have a small collection of dive watches of which only the Laguna and 'The Puck' are now available.

Unlike many other dive watch companies, Halios specialise in designing most components (excluding the movement) from scratch and having them custom made, rather than putting their watches together from catalogue part cases, dials, hands and bracelets.

Dealing with Halios was a breeze. My before-sales emails were answered swiftly and politely by Jason Lim and as soon as I placed my order, I had an email back from Jason telling me to expect an email from Canada Post confirming my tracking number later, which arrived as promised. The watch arrived in London very swiftly just before Christmas but 'got stuck' in customs for about 2 weeks, which felt like 2 years! As soon as I could, I was off to Parcel Force to collect.

To fast forward a little and to confirm how good Halios / Jason is to deal with - my watch was loosing about 30 seconds when it first arrived. I emailed Jason regarding this and got an immediate response, he was very apologetic and suggested that if I knew a watchmaker, take it to him for a regulation and send the bill to Jason. So off it went to Roy and is now running spot on, and it certainly saved the hassle and time of sending the watch back to Canada. So great service from both Halios and Roy (as usual)

The Laguna arrives in a lovely wooden presentation box which is packed with an Isofrene rubber strap, strap changing tools and the watch itself on it's s/s bracelet (which I've taken 4 links of for it to loosely fit my 7.5 inch wrist).

So, the science bit:

• Size: 43mm width, 49mm lug-to-lug, 14.5mm thickness
  
• Scratch-resistant 4mm sapphire crystal
  
• ETA 2824-2 automatic movement
  
• Internal rotating bezel operated by non-screwdown, bi-directional crown at 2 o’clock
  
• 500M water-resistance
  
• C3 Superluminova-coated hands, dial and bezel markers for optimal low-light visibility

I'll let the pictures do the talking but will say this is now one of my favourite watches. This is a heavy watch that you know that you're wearing, which I like but the case design makes it very comfortable to wear. The build quality and finishing seem superb; the screw down crown grips nicely around the thread and the 2 o'clock crown which rotates the bezel has an assured firmness to it; the end links fit the case like a glove with no give whatsoever. The dial is lovely and simple and the over-sized sword hands make it very legible. Although, at 14.5mm, this is a high watch it doesn't actually sit too high on the wrist, partly due to the curved design of the case.

My only negatives are around the bracelet and in particular the clasp. The clasp is a simple 'flap-over' type and has a rather sharp edge which makes undoing it a bit painful! I'd have preferred the button-clasp type. The only other niggle is that it can be very easy to get the links to fold the wrong way on themselves and once they have, its quite tough to get them back the right way. I've described all of that dreadfully but I know what I mean!

[KrispyDK]

[Rotundus]

likin' that. simple but effective. really like the case.

[sheepsteeth]

very good looking watch, nice and clean.

does the internal bezel ratchet like a typical diving bezel or is it smooth operating?

[William_Wilson]

Interesting watch. I like the Seamasterish hands.
Just for fun, go to their website and have a look at the "About" page.

Later,
William

[KrispyDK]

William_Wilson, on 19 February 2012 - 11:49 PM, said:

Interesting watch. I like the Seamasterish hands.
Just for fun, go to their website and have a look at the "About" page.

Later,
William

Yeah, their site certainly needs some finishing off, and the page it takes you to for payment leaves a lot to be desired. That's why there were a few emails backwards and forwards between us before I sent any money!

Bloody Canadicans!

[KrispyDK]

sheepsteeth, on 19 February 2012 - 11:12 PM, said:

very good looking watch, nice and clean.

does the internal bezel ratchet like a typical diving bezel or is it smooth operating?

The bezel is smooth so not like a normal ratcheted one. The crown at 2 is very chunky and the action is firm so it's very hard to move it accidentally. Would I rely on the bezel underwater if my life depended on it?? Probably not! I'd take a computer!

[Zephod]

Like that a lot nice uncluttered look and I do like the internal bezel reminds me of a Ocean 7 I had think it was the LM 2

[Pip-Pip]

If you are having trouble with the strap maybe try it with a brown leather strap. There's a picture on their website of this set up and I think it looks very nice indeed. I think iprefer it to the SS.

Cheers

[dowsing]

That's nice, it's good that it doesn't sit too high as that would be my worry. Had a look at the site and I really like the look of the Puck.

[Drum2000]

Lovely. Very simple and I like the retro look to the case. The bracelet's not too shabby either. A winner!!

[jpjsavage]

That Halios looks great. Well done on your purchase. I've never owned one but have been tempted by one or two pre-owned ones I've seen over the years.

[pugster]

very nice, i like the look of alot of the compressor cases that have come out...now to find a cheap longines legend

[nick555]

very, very nice watch. Good looking case and inner bezel.