Serica vs. Halios vs. Lorier

You have $700ish to spend on a field watch. Looking for some input on the 4512 vs. Universa vs. Falcon... or something else. I'm sure I 'need' a Khaki field, but I'm much more drawn to the design of these. Would love your thoughts!
215 votes ·
Reply
·

I like the dial on the Lorier, but I like the overall look of the Serica best. 

·

If it were my money?  Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical! 

Image
·

eBay military watches, buy a vintage military-inspired one from the 1940s/50s that looks decent for less than £150. Spend same again on a full service. 
 

btw - is everyone forgetting the Serica nonsense with their diver movements and the brands response?

·

Never go wrong with a Hamilton Khaki, but if shopping new the Serica is a great watch. The Alpinist also scratches that itch.

·

Islander Manhasset, classy Field watch vibe can do a bit of everything.

·

I really like the Serica look, it feels very well accomplished and restrained, in all the right ways.

But a mechanical movement paired with a screw down crown always felt as the lesser contemporary proposal.

Halios by all accounts are excellent and the Lorier while looking great too is smaller.

All are pretty cool 😉

You could also consider the Vaer D5 Tropic for something decidedly different but really cool looking too.
They also offer it with a Swiss Sellita movement as the D7 Tropic.

Image

That would be my pick.
Good luck!

·

The 4512 has serious personality that's hard to ignore... I would pick the Serica. I'd love to own one soon.

·

The Serica looks top notch, but in terms of quality control and durability, Helios

·

Benrus DTU-2A/P, old school military field watch with a Sellita movement. The Serica doesn't speak to me personally due to the roman numerals.

Image
·

Hamilton Khaki field auto, 42 or 38

#hamilton  #khakifield 

Image
·

This is the most feature packed field watch on Earth as far as I know. And it's got really nice finishing as well. 

Image
Image
Image
Image

For 160 bucks you get titanium (ultra light and comfy on the skin), solar, sapphire, radio controlled, excellent sizing and ultra wide/flat back for comfort. And digital timers and alarms which are super useful. Plus world time, day date, etc. It even has a great orange LED light which isn't as harsh on the eyes as many other options.

 28g weight, 9mm thick, 44mm lug to lug, 38mm case (or 40mm wide with the button guards). 

And it comes in around 20 versions with different styles. 

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
·

Personally Halios or Traska. Maybe smiths. All hard to get though

·

I'd get a Mellor or, as Hamilton calls it, the Khaki Pilot Pioneer. Their website hilariously thinks that the price is $845 but clearly it's still a bit overpriced at $600 and really I want the blue one.

I think I like the idea of the Bonklip more than the actual Serica.

·

Baby Alpinist 

Image
·

I voted Serica just because I've been obsessed with California Dials lately

·
robwei

This seems to be about my watch niche, I have a Serica 4512, Falcon II, KFM, Nodus Sector, Traska Summiteer, Smiths Everest... So this thread is making me painfully aware that I am missing a Halios 😕

While these are all crammed into the field watch box I think they're very different watches. They all feel different, it all depends what you're looking for. From my experience:

Want a basic tool, nothing fancy? KFM

Want something beautiful and elegant? Falcon

Want something weirdly unique? Serica

Want controversy and adventure? Smiths

Want it to never get scratches and always the right style? Traska

Want something muscular and beefy? Nodus

Want something unashamedly mid century retro? Nivada

Want the hot watch of the moment? Murph

I love the Summiteer, but is it small? For some reason, I just can't wrap my head around 36 yet. 38-39 seems to be my sweet spot. Really leaning towards the Halios if I can get one. But still feels like I "need" a Hamilton to fit in, haha.

·
marioap

The Traska Summiteer 36 with and scratch coating is a great option as stated in another comment. 

Image

Almost included this on my poll, such a nice looking watch... but 36 still feels small to me. Seems like they're coming out with a 38 soon?

·
SUSFU303

If it were my money?  Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical! 

Image

How's the glare on the crystal? I saw one in a store once, and I was surprised by that... although I recognize the history and the value :)

·
Da_Dutch_Collection

I really like the Serica look, it feels very well accomplished and restrained, in all the right ways.

But a mechanical movement paired with a screw down crown always felt as the lesser contemporary proposal.

Halios by all accounts are excellent and the Lorier while looking great too is smaller.

All are pretty cool 😉

You could also consider the Vaer D5 Tropic for something decidedly different but really cool looking too.
They also offer it with a Swiss Sellita movement as the D7 Tropic.

Image

That would be my pick.
Good luck!

I actually already own a Vaer A5, and I love it... but yes, this D7 looks so nice.

·
thisjeffmartin

I love the Summiteer, but is it small? For some reason, I just can't wrap my head around 36 yet. 38-39 seems to be my sweet spot. Really leaning towards the Halios if I can get one. But still feels like I "need" a Hamilton to fit in, haha.

I have the 38mm Summiteer, but there was a 36mm variant as well.

·
thisjeffmartin

Almost included this on my poll, such a nice looking watch... but 36 still feels small to me. Seems like they're coming out with a 38 soon?

The watch is 36.5mm but with the narrow bezel wears more like a 37mm to be honest. There are two variants, the original one is 38.5mm and this edition I have is 36.5. I owned the 38.5 but personally prefer the 36.5 smaller size myself. The 38mm wears more like 39 and it is a good option too.

Here me with the 38.5 in green I had but sold.

Image

Here me with the 36.5mm current one.

Image
·

$700 feels like a splurge for just a field watch. But at that price range, I really, really love the aesthetics of the Hamilton Pilot Pioneer.

Image

It's a reissue of Hamilton's W10 watch. Hamilton succeeded Smiths in supplying watches to the British Royal Air Force. But the RAF wanted to cut costs, so these Hamiltons have a simple and cute egg-like case shape unlike the more svelte Smiths watches that were supplied before.

I think this watch looks absolutely adorable. Hopefully I get to see the white dial version someday.

Image
·

I own both the Serica and the Halios and can tell you that the Serica is hands down the most worn watch (in my entire collection.) It looks fantastic on the bracelet and on a variety of other straps (I currently am wearing it on an Elite Rubber Silicon Strap from Barton.) 

The dial is so beautiful. It is somehow both timeless and unique. The only small complaint I have is the fact that you have to unscrew the crown every day to wind it. But, the pros significantly outweigh that single con.  

·
TheStyledDial

I own both the Serica and the Halios and can tell you that the Serica is hands down the most worn watch (in my entire collection.) It looks fantastic on the bracelet and on a variety of other straps (I currently am wearing it on an Elite Rubber Silicon Strap from Barton.) 

The dial is so beautiful. It is somehow both timeless and unique. The only small complaint I have is the fact that you have to unscrew the crown every day to wind it. But, the pros significantly outweigh that single con.  

Interesting. And what about the Halios? Is it as nice in person as it looks on their site?

·
thisjeffmartin

Interesting. And what about the Halios? Is it as nice in person as it looks on their site?

The Halios is definitely as nice as it looks in photos. The bracelet is excellent and the dial is a stunner. This might be an issue unique to my Halios (if anyone else with a Universa can chime in with their experience, that would be great), but the crown on mine takes a lot of effort to wind, and because of the little indents in the crown design, it actually hurts my fingers a bit and leaves marks on them. 

When it comes down to it, the Universa is more of a diver-style. I find the Serica to really be more of a true field watch. The railroad minute track makes the dial look even smaller, which is something I enjoy because I prefer smaller watches and have a 6.25in wrist.)

·
TheStyledDial

The Halios is definitely as nice as it looks in photos. The bracelet is excellent and the dial is a stunner. This might be an issue unique to my Halios (if anyone else with a Universa can chime in with their experience, that would be great), but the crown on mine takes a lot of effort to wind, and because of the little indents in the crown design, it actually hurts my fingers a bit and leaves marks on them. 

When it comes down to it, the Universa is more of a diver-style. I find the Serica to really be more of a true field watch. The railroad minute track makes the dial look even smaller, which is something I enjoy because I prefer smaller watches and have a 6.25in wrist.)

That’s helpful, thank you! 

·
thisjeffmartin

How's the glare on the crystal? I saw one in a store once, and I was surprised by that... although I recognize the history and the value :)

I don’t notice all that much really so I’m not to bothered by it. But it is there. 

·

I am partial to the Serica 4512 WMB version 

Image
·

Armida A6 is a good choice.

·
Image

I'm super happy with my Serica