Haigh and Hastings Classic Range | Watch Review

Haigh and Hastings Classic Range

Specifications:

• 42mm Stainless Steel Case
• 49mm lug to lug
• 12.2mm in thickness
• 22mm lug width
• 95 grams in weight
• Sapphire Crystal
• Seiko NH35 Automatic movement
• 200 meters water resistance
• Choice of Leather or Nato style straps

Price $559 USD

The latest model to come from Haigh and Hastings is their Classic Range, a model I can say that can truly be your any occasion watch, and is offered in a white or blue dial. I will be discussing the white dial here today.

With a 42mm stainless steel case, sapphire crystal, automatic movement and 200 meters of water resistance the Classic Range has a lot to offer. Coming in at $559 with your choice of strap, it is not necessarily inexpensive but it is not an exorbitant price either.

You might remember Haigh and Hastings here on Watchreport as I reviewed their first model, a diver, just about 2 years ago now. The M2 had a vintage appeal, and I feel the new Classic Range does as well, as it has a classic look about it.

The Classic is designed in Australia using a Japanese movement and manufactured in China. That is listed right on their website…talk about transparency. Haigh and Hastings had some help with design on this model, in a collaboration with Emmanuel Gueit. Gueit represents Swiss-based watch and jewelry designer EG Studio SA, and was previously the head of design for Audemars Piguet and Fossil Group. When it comes to what they produced, the Classic Range has classic vibe with modern materials and if I was to label the case style I guess I would go with field watch, but it is much more.

The case is mostly done in a brushed finish with a high polish to the bezel, crown and case back. The white dial is equipped with applied markers and a date window located at 3 o’clock. The dial text is kept to a minimum and I feel the font used goes along with the overall theme of the watch and keeps it professional looking. No gimmicks or crazy logos here.

When it comes to quality, one thing I noticed was how solid the screw down crown is, something many brands seem to overlook. Nothing makes me sour off a watch instantly than a loose or wobbly crown. It is large, easy to grip and from what I can see presents no issues. Keeping with the classic style, it is engraved with a simple H&H.

The exhibition case back shows off the Seiko NH35 automatic movement and while I know many like to see the movement, I think many know my thoughts on watches with budget movements and a display back. That is absolutely subjective on my part, and otherwise the case back is nicely finished for what it is.

One thing I was not expecting on a watch such as this was the bright luminescence the Classic Range gives off. Now, it is not Seiko dive watch lume, but it does the job well, especially the hands that are brighter than the markers as you can see in the photo below.

Currently Haigh and Hastings have 3 straps available for the Classic, a brown or blue leather with alligator pattern and a NATO style strap, the one I was sent is a military green. I would hope a different color is supplied with the blue dial. Both the leather and NATO are high quality straps with good hardware. For the white dial my favorite strap offered is the brown leather, I’m a sucker for a brown strap on a white dial. The blue really makes it elegant and the NATO of course gives it that sporty rugged feel. A nice solid link bracelet and a distressed brown and black leather would be nice additions to the lineup, if they plan on expanding the strap possibilities.

7 1/2 wrist for reference

As my review comes to a close, as you can see I haven’t said much negative about the Classic Range. The reason for that is simply there is not much I don’t like and not really anything I can balk at. If anything I would have to say the price is a little on the high side, especially comparing to other watches currently on the market in this price range. The NH35 is decent and dependable but a smooth sweep Miyota 9015 would have been preferred by me, or charge $100 more and put in an SW200 or such.

While it might not be the best value out there, it is a watch that I enjoy and can easily say it looks great, has a high end feel and wears really nicely on the wrist. I like the direction Haigh and Hastings is going in and look forward to future models from them.

Please see their website for more info or to get one for yourself: Haigh and Hastings Website

 

Thank you for reading, as always please leave your comments below.

 

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