Xeric launched it’s third (and fourth) models on Kickstarter, and the design keeps with the company’s shared DNA, but brings the look back to a more traditional round case. The first Xeric used the rotation of the movement in an open window to indicate the hours, with a double sided minute hand for the minutes. The second time out, they kept the hour hand, but evolved the minute hand so that the time was framed inside a circle on one of two half-circle tracks. This time, the hour and minute hand both indicate the time on half circle tracks, and the movement is shown only with the two balance wheels.
Telling the time is fairly simple to do, even if it is complicated to describe. Both watches above show 10:10. When the time gets to the bottom half of the hour, the other circle swings to the top, framing the inner of the two minute tracks, from 15 to 45 past the hour. The watch itself is in a 46mm x 13mm stainless steel case rated to 3 ATM, with a variety of optional PVD coatings (rose gold, gold, gunmetal, and black). All told, there are 6 options, and some of the $350/369 early bird watches are still available, with the price jumping to $399 for those late to the party.
If you want a little more functionality, there is also a quartz driven chronograph model available. I like how the three registers are laid out here on the bottom of the dial, with disks for hands. It is a modern and clean update to the chronograph style, and a way to present the registers that is somewhat atypical. The case here is 44mm x 11mm thick, and both watches have a highly domes K1 crystals, giving an extra 5mm of height. The chrono is also available in PVD gold, PVD rose gold and stainless cases, and early birds can grab them for $189, jumping to $199 when those are pledged.
If the watch interest you, check out the Kickstarter page. The brand has 2 successful deliveries and the creators are the guys behind Watchismo.com, so the risk is minimal in my opinion. If you picked up one of the previous models, I would love to hear from you below on the build quality of the watches and how you like the way the time i presented. watchismo.com/xeric-watches
Watch Overview
- Brand & Model: Xeric Halograph Automatic and Halograph Chrono
- Price: Early bird pricing of $350/$369 for the automatics jumping to $399, and $189 jumping to $199 for the quartz.
- Who we think it might be for: You want something a little different, but still recognizable as a watch.
- Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen?: I like this the best of the three models to date, but it isn’t my style.
- If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: The second hand is really small (I think hat inner-most wheel is a second hand), especially for the chrono.
- What spoke to me the most about this watch: I like how the registers are done on the chronograph.
Tech Specs from Xeric
- Movement: PTS Resources S-01 dual balance wheel for the automatic, Miyota JS50 quartz for the chronograph
- Functions: Three had automatic; three hand quartz with sub registers for chrono seconds, minutes and 24 hours.
- Case: Stainless steel with optional PVD rose gold, and gold and black and gunmetal for the automatics.
- Glass: 5mm highly domes K1 crystal
- Water resistance: 3 ATM
- Lug width: 22mm
- Straps: Calfskin leather.
- Diameter: 46 mm automatic, 44 mm quartz
- Case Height: 13 mm automatic, 11 mm quartz
