When most microbrands start producing watches, they focus on tool watches. Often overbuilt with an aesthetic that helps them fit into the GADA (Go anywhere, do anything) category, these watches certainly have their place. However, this approach often leaves behind sports watches that fit more firmly into the dressier side of watch design. When it comes to Haim Watch Company, based out of Chicago, they put their foot forward straight into dressier watches while still maintaining some of the elements we all want out of a tool watch. They did this first with the dressy diver, the Descent (review here), and later with the sport chronograph, the L2. Haim has simplified the L2 Chronograph into a three-hander with the Legacy Automatic. As we jump into this watch, you will see that the simplification stopped at the dial design. Let’s check it out.
On the Wrist
Haim has always done a fine job making watches that feel good on the wrist. The Descent and L2 Chronograph were lovely on the wrist, and I expected the L2 Automatic to be just as good. I first tried the watch on at Wind-Up in NYC in October 2023. I put it on and said, “Oh wow, this is lovely.” Zakir, the owner of Haim, told me that part of the reason is the Titanium case. It threw me for a loop because most titanium-cased watches, especially those from microbrands, are bead-blasted or entirely brushed. They look utilitarian in their design. The Legacy Automatic was light on the wrist and beautifully finished.
The Legacy Automatic comes in at 38mm wide, 45mm lug-to-lug, and 9.5mm wrist-to-crystal (10.5mm case thickness). The gentle curve of the case profile creates the “mold into your wrist” feeling most watches try to achieve but can’t quite get. Haim succeeded with the L2 Automatic, and I would be remiss if I didn’t say this one was one of my favorite on-wrist watches of 2023 (I wrote and photographed this review in 2023).
For those in the USA who care about such things, the L2 Automatic is 100% US assembled, including the custom caliber Haim loaded into the watch. They call the movement the HWC-1, which is similar in specs to an ETA 2824. It has 26 jewels, 38-hour PR, and ticks away at 4Hz. While the architecture is based on the ETA, it isn’t built off one, and Haim claims this will ensure greater quality control and performance.
Haim Legacy Automatic Specs | |
Case Width 38mm | Lug-to-Lug 45mm |
Case Thickness 10.5mm | Wrist-to-Crystal 9.5mm |
Lug Width 20mm | Weight 65g |
Water Resistance 50m | Strap Leather Strap |
Crystal Sapphire | Lume None |
Movement Haim HWC-01 | Price $1,350 - $1,550 |
Dial Details
The Legacy Automatic will be offered in three dial variants: blue, cream/maroon, and a stunning aventurine. All three carry the same layout with Breguet numerals, an outer minute track, polished hands, and a ring to separate the numerals from the inner section of the dial. Each dial has its own appeal, and while everyone knows which one I would pick in the end, I would still have a hard time deciding between the three.
The blue and cream/maroon dial variants offer a date window at 3 o’clock, while the aventurine dial has no date. Simple branding adorns the dial with HAIM under the 12 o’clock marker and the brand’s hometown of Chicago, Illinois, where one might typically see Swiss Made.
The handset is simple yet effective, given the Legacy Automatic’s dress watch aesthetic. The minute track that flanks the numerals on the outside of the dial is an elegant and useful touch. It gives the numerals some depth. Otherwise, they would be floating out in the left field. The center section of the blue and cream/maroon dials features a radiating Guilloche pattern that steals the show in the overall dial design.
Case Details
The dial of the Legacy Automatic is a stunner; there is no denying that. However, the case is where this watch truly shines. The overall modest sizing paired with a thin bezel gives the watch wrist a presence of elegance.
Featuring a Titanium case, the Legacy Automatic is light and airy on the wrist without feeling weightless. There’s just enough metal packed into the movement to give it some heft. Haim put brushing and polishing in all the right places to provide the illusion of a stainless steel case without the added weight.
The coin-edge bezel lets the Legacy Automatic break away from the smooth bezel dress watch crowd and seat itself firmly into a class of watches like the Rolex Datejust and Omega Globemaster. This style of bezel, which one might consider fluted to a degree, is highly underutilized in dress and sports watches. Haim executed it perfectly on the Legacy Automatic.
We’ve seen a small resurgence of Cornes de Vache (or cow horn) style lugs in watches like the Furlan Marri Sector and Vacheron Constantin’s reissue of their Cornes de Vache. The Legacy Automatic is the latest watch to bring this beautiful lug style back, and for good reason. It looks damn good. Haim’s take on the lug style is that they are hollowed out on the sides. The Legacy Automatic’s lugs are also slightly more angular than traditional cow horn lugs, paying a solid tribute to the watches that used them before.
Final Thoughts
The Legacy Automatic presents an exciting value proposition for those paying attention. For $1,350 ($1,550 for the aventurine dial), you get a custom movement, a titanium case, beautiful finishing and execution, and a watch that looks fantastic in almost any situation. With this watch, Haim wants to step outside the $750-1,000 microbrand price segment and compete with brands like Oris and Longines. While that is undoubtedly an uphill battle, the Legacy Automatic shows Haim has the strength to do it.
Haim is quickly becoming a brand you shouldn’t be sleeping on. They are doing some truly innovative things with their watch design and construction. I’ve seen some of what they have in the pipeline, and their upward trajectory will only get faster.
Preorder pricing is $1,000 and $1,200 for the aventurine dial.
Check out more Haim reviews at The Watch Clicker here
Check out the Haim website here
