Disclaimer: this video/review was not sponsored by Halios, Roldorf or any other entity.
Video
Review
The Halios x Roldorf Seaforth Limited Edition was one of the more interesting versions of the Seaforth because it fixed a few things I didn’t love about the Seaforth models that came before it, and even the newer and more sophisticated Seaforth models. The standard ETA 2824-2 and Sellita SW200-1 movements were always perfectly usable, but I continue to wish that the brand would move to something like an ETA 2892 or Sellita SW300 instead. This Roldorf edition did exactly that, using an ETA 2892-A2 inside a familiar fixed-bezel case. And for those that might not know, Roldorf & Co. is an independent Canadian watch repair and service establishment that also retails watches. Jason Lim of Halios operated out of Roldorf for many years, and shared a lot of Roldorf’s watchmaker skills for assembly and QC back in the day.
This example has the stainless steel case with the grey and green dial, and compared to some of the brighter variants I’ve owned or reviewed, this one feels very different, more unusual, and a bit more collector-focused. It still has the core personality, but the dial and movement make it feel like a more special version of the watch. This is an older generation Seaforth and is roughly 10 years old now, and the only way to get one is by buying pre-owned like I did. I’m also not entirely sure how much they even sold these for originally, but you can get them pre-owned for between $1000-1200.
Let’s check it out!
Case
The case dimensions are familiar Seaforth fixed-bezel territory, measuring approximately 39.75mm in diameter, 46.25mm from lug to lug, and around 11.95mm thick, with a 20mm lug width and a 6mm screw-down crown at 3 o’clock. The case is made of stainless steel and carries 200m of water resistance, and weighs about 80g on the included rubber strap. I’ve done an in-depth review of a Gen III Seaforth many years ago, and this watch is practically identical except for its movement and dial.
But as a quick recap, the finishing is straightforward but very well executed, with mostly brushed surfaces and polished accents along the case and lug edges. The fixed bezel keeps the case visually clean, while the tall boxed sapphire crystal adds much of the vintage-tool-watch character. The crown is still excellent. It is large enough to grip easily, the crown guards give the watch a proper tool-watch presence, and the whole case feels purpose-built without being bulky.
Dial
The dial is the main reason this version feels special. Instead of the cleaner, more modern dial layouts seen on many Seaforth models, the Roldorf edition uses a two-tone sector-style layout. The center of the dial is a matte charcoal grey, while the outer section is a deep green that often reads almost black depending on the light. The contrast is subtle, but it gives the dial depth. In direct light, the green becomes more obvious, and in lower light it gives the watch a darker, more restrained character.
The layout is unusual for a Seaforth. You get large luminous numerals at 3, 6, and 9, a triangle at 12, and rectangular luminous markers for the remaining hours. There are also small applied offset indices, with only the cardinal positions filled with lume, and an unusual lumed yellow mini triangle at the 12 o’clock. The printing is clean, with “SEAFORTH” spaced across the upper half of the central dial and “20 ATA” placed above 6 o’clock. The “AUTOMATIC” text is split along the lower outer dial.
The handset is also familiar Halios, with black surrounds and luminous inserts that match the markers. The seconds hand is thin but given enough presence by the rectangular lume plot near its tip. The watch remains very legible, but compared to something like the Pastel Blue or Bahama Yellow Seaforth, this dial is less about maximum clarity and more about atmosphere. It feels like a field watch, a skin diver, and a sector dial watch all mixed into the Seaforth case.
I should note that up close there’s a lot of dust and grime on the dial and hands, but having bought at least half a dozen watches from Halios directly, I’m confident in assigning blame to the possibly many owners that have owned this watch over the past decade, and the countless people that might’ve tinkered with it.
Lume
The lume is applied generously to the numerals, hour markers, and hands. This is not the same experience as the newer Seaforth IV models with Globolight XP markers, but there is still plenty of luminous material here, and the darker dial helps the lume stand out visually.
The overall lume performance is excellent though, even if it does not have the same ceramic-lume sharpness or uniformity as the more recent Halios models.
Movement
Inside is the ETA 2892-A2 automatic movement, and for me, this is a meaningful upgrade over the ETA 2824-2 and Sellita SW200-1 movements used in many other Seaforth models. The 2824 and SW200 easily serviceable, and completely appropriate for watches in this price category, but I’ve had too many poor experiences with these movements and I’ve always felt the Seaforth deserved something a bit more refined. The ETA 2892-A2 is thinner, smoother, and generally feels like a more premium movement choice. This particular movement is running at around +6 spd, which is totally acceptable to me.
On The Wrist
The case wears extremely well, and should explain why I’ve owned at least 8 Seaforths in the last decade. The 39.75mm diameter gives the watch enough presence, while the 46.25mm lug-to-lug keeps it compact and easy to wear. The flat case-back, curved lugs, and moderate thickness make it sit securely on the wrist without feeling top-heavy.
The fixed-bezel case also helps here. It gives the watch a lower visual profile than the dive-bezel versions, and the cleaner case outline works well with the more restrained Roldorf dial. On Halios’ excellent rubber strap, this is still one of the most comfortable microbrand sports watches I’ve handled, and also explains why Halios hasn’t really changed the recipe much in 10 years – there’s no need to.
Wrapping Up
The Halios x Roldorf Seaforth Limited Edition is not the most advanced Seaforth, and in some ways the newer models have surpassed it in materials, bracelet design, clasp execution, and lume technology. But this watch has a very specific charm about it, through its unique dial design and refined movement choice.
It is still recognizably a Seaforth, but it has a quieter, more collector-oriented personality. And most importantly for me, it fixes the one thing I kept wanting from older models: a better, thinner movement architecture. You could probably say that this edition is the oddball enthusiast version. It has the right case, the right dimensions, the right movement, and a dial that feels unlike anything else in the Seaforth lineup.
