Unique Watches: The Xeric Halograph II Automatic Review
In 2013, Watchismo’s founders established Xeric Watches with the aim of introducing distinctive and reasonably priced mechanical watch designs to the global market. Since then, Xeric has launched nine unique models that deviate from traditional designs. The latest addition to their collection, the Halograph II Automatic, builds upon the original while remaining faithful to Xeric’s fundamental mission of crafting exceptional timepieces. Xeric recognizes that their watch designs may not appeal to everyone and has consistently endeavored to create original concepts that stand out from the multitude of generic watches saturating the Kickstarter market. Each element of the Halograph underwent a comprehensive redesign and enhancement, while still being offered at a more competitive price than its predecessor. Xeric has recently updated its Halograph II Automatic watch with some impressive features.
The movement grille integrates two additional displays. The left window features a day/night indicator, revealing your current position in relation to the sun. The right window serves as a running seconds display. The Halograph II Automatic boasts transparent discs that showcase its open balance wheel with utmost clarity. The fully integrated lugs grant the Halograph II a contemporary and sleek update from its predecessor. The lugless design allows the strap to seamlessly align with the caseback, resulting in a streamlined fit on the wrist. Moreover, the straps feature a convenient built-in quick-release spring bar system, enabling effortless strap interchangeability for various occasions.
The straps are made using high-quality full-grain leather sourced from Horween, one of the US’s oldest tanneries, and are of exceptional quality. Horween has been producing top-tier leather since 1908 at their Chicago location. In addition to the Horween leather straps, Xeric offers stainless steel mesh and Trappist-1 leather strap options at exclusive Kickstarter prices. Each Halograph II Automatic is individually numbered, with only 999 pieces available per color. Priced at only $319, this timepiece guarantees to capture attention and spark conversations for those seeking a watch that stands out from the ordinary.
The Halograph II arrived in an elegantly compact fabric box. I appreciate watch companies that prioritize minimalistic packaging. My initial impression of the watch was its substantial size. I couldn’t help but notice the superb Horween leather strap with its velvety smooth texture. The dial’s wooden inlay also adds a captivating touch in my opinion. Xeric was thoughtful enough to include an additional strap in the same color and leather, but with ribbed stitching—a feature reminiscent of vintage cars that used this ribbed style leather in their interiors.
The case is made from 316L stainless steel. Meticulously machined, it exhibits a distinctive Ikepod-like appearance, featuring rounded edges and a lugless design. The satin brushed finish across the case is skillfully executed. A brown-colored ring lies between the bezel and case, while a gray ring separates the case from the case back, imparting a touch of color to the watch. The case measures 46mm in diameter, 14mm in thickness (including the crystal), and has a lug width of 22mm. Positioned at 2 o’clock, the push-pull crown bears the deeply engraved Xeric logo on its top surface. The crown is sizeable and easily accessible, even when the watch is on the wrist, allowing for convenient time adjustments on the go.
The case back is secured with four small screws and features a window that provides a view of the movement’s balance wheel—a thoughtful detail. The back also displays specifications and reveals the unique limited edition number. For instance, mine is numbered 4 out of 999. A boxed sapphire glass adorns the top of the watch, enhancing the dial’s visual impact. While the water resistance is limited to 5ATM (50M), it suffices for everyday wear and can withstand exposure to rain or hand washing. However, I would not recommend swimming with this watch.
The dial is undeniably striking. The Halograph II from Xeric features a distinctive display and halo hands that gracefully move over the arcs, indicating the time. The inner arcs show the hours while the outer arcs denote the minutes, and the time can be easily read through the two halo hands. The watch also includes two secondary displays integrated into the movement grille, surrounded by a wooden inlay. On the left is the day/night window, indicating your position in relation to the sun, while the window on the right functions as a running seconds display.
Transparent discs are employed to print these features, ensuring an unobstructed view of the exposed balance wheel. Personally, I find the grille part to be the only aspect I’m not particularly fond of. I believe a fully wooden grille would enhance the overall aesthetic, as the day/night window and running seconds display hold less significance for me. Nevertheless, the time reading process, although not as immediate as with a classic watch design, remains straightforward and allows for precise timekeeping. While I think the addition of luminescence would have added an appealing touch during nighttime, I understand that it might have increased the watch’s price.
The Halograph II houses a Japanese-made automatic Miyota 82S7 movement. Boasting a 42-hour power reserve and beating at 21,600 BPH, this movement has not been featured in any of the watches I have owned or reviewed before. However, after spending over a month with the watch, I can confidently affirm that it maintains accurate timekeeping, with a mere +7 seconds per day—a commendable performance for an affordable movement. Miyota and other Japanese movements have garnered a reputation for their reliability over the years, making them a popular choice among microbrand watches due to the exceptional value they offer at a relatively low cost.
The strap’s design is elegant, featuring meticulous stitching. Its remarkable suppleness and buttery texture make it a delight to touch. I can honestly say that Xeric delivers exceptional straps with their watches, leaving no desire to replace them with others. The strap tapers from 22mm to 20mm at the buckle and is adorned with the Xeric and Horween logos on the underside. The buckle follows a simple tang-style design. Additionally, Xeric included another strap with ribbed stitching, which has remained on the watch since its arrival and is also featured in the accompanying photos. This strap shares the same Horween leather composition as the previous one but adds a ribbed texture—a subtle detail that significantly transforms the overall style.
The ribbed strap reminds me of the interiors of vintage sports cars from the 1960s and 1970s, with their ribbed leather seats, belts, and other interior elements. The combination of the wooden details on the dial and the ribbed strap imparts a racing-inspired aesthetic. That’s just my interpretation, though. The ribbed strap is available for an additional cost of $60 and comes in various colors, featuring different color stitching and sizes. Consequently, you can modify not only your Xeric watch but also other timepieces in your collection. I must note that $60 is quite affordable; in the past, I have received Horween straps that cost twice as much.
Overall, I hold the Halograph II in high regard. I genuinely appreciate the direction Xeric is taking with their watches and the advancements the company is making. Particularly intriguing is their latest creation, the Invertor, which I discuss further on my blog. Returning to the Halograph II, this particular model is priced at $500, offering an extraordinary design, intriguing time display, front and back sapphire crystals, a meticulously crafted case, a Horween leather strap, and the admiration of fellow watch enthusiasts.
