In de loop der jaren heb ik veel (veel) horloges gedragen voor recensiedoeleinden, en om eerlijk te zijn is het zeldzaam dat ik nog steeds aan dat horloge maanden of jaren na het feit denk. De Puck, van het Canadese micromerk Halios, is een van de zeldzame uitzonderingen. Ik schreef de DLC versie van het originele Puck op Hodinkee, terug in 2013 en het is sindsdien in mijn hoofd vastgelopen. Dus toen ik het Puck II vroeger op Instagram zag, werd ik vroeger contact opgenomen met Jason Lim, oprichter van Halios, om zo snel mogelijk mijn handen op te halen. Snel vooruit naar een paar weken geleden, en ik was gretig om een DHL-pakket te openen om mijn eerste blik op het prototype te krijgen.
Halios made their name with the sort of unashamedly serious dive watch that guys on watch forums go nuts for – a beguiling combination of Spartan style, solid build and great value. The brutal Puck – named for its resemblance to a hockey puck – epitomised this approach. Polarising looks, an over-the-top 1000m depth rating and circa $1000 price tag ensured it was a runaway success, and expectations are high for version two.
So, how does it compare? Some elements, like the monolithic 14mm high, 48mm wide case remain the same, but many things have been changed and improved. Water resistance is down to a (still OTT) 500m, and certain details of the 316L steel case have been streamlined.
The bezel is no longer screwed, and it now features a sapphire overlay instead of aluminium. The dial markers are now polished roundels rather than plain batons, adding a touch of refinement. The lume is still superb. I also love the additional touches of colour, the orange five-minute markers and second hand tip definitely help to keep the summery blue dial interesting. The bezel action is smooth and firm, and the glossy sapphire inset adds to the overall impression that Halios has gone to some length to add a touch fancy to the functionality. Note that because this is a prototype, the shade of blue on the bezel is ever-so-slightly different to what will appear on the final version.
Overall, it’s still the same watch I fell in love with four years ago. The case is still gigantic, but because of the lugless design it actually wears quite comfortably, though I’m sure the design isn’t for everyone. The big bezel still looks like something out of James Bond, and the crisply defined teeth are a real pleasure to use. It ships on a suitably beefy steel bracelet. The design of the case means that you’re going to see wear on the links closest to the case, where they rub against the underside of the case.
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