A lot can happen in two years. It was just 2021 when I reviewed the first model from Chicago’s Haim Watch Company, the Legacy chronograph. Only a couple of months later, Haim launched the Descent dive watch and the Legacy SE with its beautiful Copper River dial. Move the calendar to today, and we have the newest Legacy, a slim, 38mm chronograph labeled the L2, available for order shortly. I’ve got prototypes for all four colorways in hand, and let me tell you, this latest incarnation is outstanding.
I’d call the mid-sized L2 a dress chronograph, which seems contradictory, but such watches have a long history. Complications are fun and desirable. There is no reason not to dress them up on occasion.
In my reviews, I usually talk about the case and movement before I get around to describing the dial, but seriously folks, look at them! Just drink in the rich colors, all the clearer through the five layers of anti-reflective coating on their sapphire crystals. Dig the polished applied markers and faceted hands. Note the different textures on the four distinct areas of the surface: flat rehaut, vertical brushing on the seconds ring, circular brushing on the hour marker ring, vertical again on the center section, and grooved subdials. Marvel at the way all of them change appearance as you hold the watches in your hands and move them ever so slightly to allow the light to dance across their faces. Oh wait, you can’t do that because you are reading this on a screen. I’ve done my best to capture it in my photos, but to get the whole experience, come on down to the District Time by Tsao Baltimore show in Washington, D.C., March 4-5 (shameless plug) and check them out in person.
Haim calls the variants Gray Glacier, Dark Cobalt, Pink Gold, and Aqua Ocean. The Gray is closer to silvery white and features gold hands, markers, and subdial rings. It also sports properly heat-blued second hand and subdial needles. When you add the red 60 on the tachymetre index, the pale blue railroad track seconds, and consider the way the surface displays both silver and white at once, it becomes apparent that this white dial is far from vanilla. I’d say it has the most varied colors in the entire range.
Like the Glacier Gray, the Aqua Ocean features bar markers and a Roman 12, this time, in silver. I was pleasantly surprised at how much contrast the polished elements displayed atop the aqua, appearing as either brilliant silver or nearly black depending on the environment, but perfectly legible either way. The printed red and pale blue features are present here as well but appear far more muted against the blue-green background.
The base color is a refreshing departure from the Tiffany blue many brands employed in 2022. It’s a tad greener to my eye, and the varying textures create a delightful shimmer. If you find yourself standing next to Jay Z when waiting for your Starbucks order, and he checks his Tiffany Patek, you can compare it to your Haim L2 Aqua Ocean, and you’ll see what I mean.
Moving on to the Dark Cobalt, I find myself torn. I love its deep color, and of all the watches in the range, this one displays the greatest variation in relation to lighting conditions, moving from a dark navy to a bright royal. Its polished elements are silver like the Aqua Ocean, but it trades bar markers for Art Nouveau Arabic numbers. All printed elements are white save for the red 60.
Pretty as it is, polished metal on a dark dial tends to disappear under most conditions. Some people love that peek-a-boo aspect. I don’t — at least not when I am trying to take a photograph. In actual practice, the hands and markers are visible more often than not. Even under bright sunlight, it takes no more than a barely perceptible shift to catch it just right.
Finally, we have the Pink Gold.
It’s redder than the previous generation’s copper yet pinker than many other salmon dials I’ve seen as of late. It is indisputably lovely, especially with those heat-blued hands and numbers. This dial shares the Glacier Gray’s blue minutes track. If I were a gambling man, I’d wager that this will be the one that sells out first.
Now, let’s get back to the case, shall we? It has been completely redesigned since the Legacy, and considerably refined. Most notable are the chamfered Cornes de Vache lugs, which stand in sharp contrast to the subtly curved case sides.
The L2 is 38mm wide, 45mm long, and just a touch under 11mm thick, making it the trimmest Haim yet. Like previous models, it wears a combination of brushed and polished surfaces with the shiny bits in just the right places to blur the edges and make this already tidy case appear even slimmer. It worked rather well on my 6.75″ wrist.
As I mentioned up top, I’d classify the Haim L2 as a dress-sport watch with an emphasis on dress. Lume is non-existant. Water resistance is 50m, which is fine for daily wear but short of what I’d feel comfortable wearing on any aquatic adventure. Besides, these are simply too elegant to beat up in the field.
Much of the L2’s low profile can be chalked up to the Seiko VK64 MechQuartz inside. While it’s a little sad to know that there is no option for an ST-19 in this one, that mechanical chronograph movement would have added some thickness.
Although these watches were prototypes, the only significant change for production will be the straps. These were very nice, but the final product will have straps made by Delugs. I’ve been big fan since I discovered them in 2020, so I heartily approve. I can’t exactly review the Haim versions, but you can read my take on Delugs here. The L2’s will be 20mm tapering to a signed 18mm buckle that matches the combination finish of the case. Colors should be similar to those pictured. Quick-release spring bars will be standard.
The Haim L2 is a delightful watch that is well worth your consideration. Haim will open L2 preorders this week. Those who register will be sent a link enabling them to order the $450 L2 for just $325 or a set of four (one in each color) for $1200. The link will be valid for seven days. Given the option of paying full price or buying at a discount, I’ll choose the savings; thank you very much. I suspect everyone would, so I recommend you head to www.haimwatchco.com/collection/L2 to sign up.
