Universa II

Name: Halios Universa II
Brand: Halios

Upper $900–1,300

The Halios Universa II is a Canada-based 38mm automatic that upgrades the original Universa with a Sellita SW300-1 self-winding movement, screw-down crown, and standard galvanic-treated dials; the separate Vitreous Enamel Series uses lead-free vitreous enamel on a 999 fine silver base plate. The standard model is priced at $995, while the enamel series is priced at $1,095.

Compare with another

38mm

Case

100m

Water res.

11.8mm

Thick

48mm

Lug-to-lug

Visit Halios →

Overview

Brand	Halios
Collection	Universa
Category	Sports
Released	2026
Price guide	Upper · $900–1,300

Full specification

Specs

Case & dial

Diameter	38 mm
Lug-to-lug	48 mm
Thickness	11.8 mm
Lug width	20 mm
Water resistance	100 m
Crystal	sapphire, double-domed with anti-reflective coating
Case material	stainless steel
Bezel	fixed
Case back	screw-down

Movement & furniture

Type	Automatic
Caliber	Sellita SW300-1 →
Power reserve	56 h
Jewels	25
Lume	Super-LumiNova C3 X1 (Blue Line)
Strap / bracelet	steel bracelet

On the wrist

At 38mm with a 48mm lug-to-lug, the Universa II sits closer to a true dress-watch footprint than most Swiss automatics marketed as daily wearers — it disappears under a shirt cuff with ease, and the case's flat, forward-angling lugs hug the wrist rather than float above it. The polished inner bezel ring catching light against the brushed outer case is a subtle but effective detail, and the enamel-series champlevé marker reservoirs add a dimensional detail that product photography cannot fully capture.

The vitreous enamel dials are a different proposition entirely — fired lead-free glass on 999 fine silver gives the surface a richer shimmer and depth than the standard galvanic dial. The standard galvanic dials are beautifully executed in their own right: the matte granular surface of the 5N Gold or Galvanic Blue pairs naturally with the brushed steel bracelet and keeps the whole package quiet and versatile. The no-date layout keeps both dial families clean and perfectly symmetrical. The one genuine trade-off versus the original Universa is the 0.8mm added thickness from the automatic rotor — not a dealbreaker at 11.8mm total, but worth knowing if you prized the original's hand-wound slimness.

Bottom line

An elegantly proportioned, drop-scarce 38mm daily-wearer that earns its $995 ask through meticulous dial craft and a well-matched slim automatic — strongest for wearers who prefer intimate proportions and have no need for a date window.

Highlights

Sellita SW300-1 automatic, 56h power reserve
Screw-down crown + caseback, 100m WR
38mm / 48mm L2L, 11.8mm slim
No-date clean dial; Vitreous Enamel Series adds champleve marker reservoirs
Standard galvanic or vitreous enamel on 999 fine silver dial options

Who it's for

The Universa II suits someone with a small to medium wrist (roughly 6.5–7.5 inches) who wants a single watch that transitions from business dress to casual weekend wear without making a statement. The clean symmetrical dial, understated proportions, and mix of brushed and polished finishing appeal to collectors who value craft and versatility over brand prestige.

Who should skip it

Skip it if you need a date complication, prefer a case larger than 38mm, or are not willing to monitor Halios drop dates — Halios production runs are small and past releases have been highly sought after.

Before you buy

Ordering for Universa II has not opened yet on Halios' official site; pre-orders are listed as opening soon, so join the Halios email list and monitor halioswatches.com for openings
No date window on any variant of this model
Standard galvanic ($995) and Vitreous Enamel ($1,095) are separate product listings with different dial materials and color palettes — confirm which series before ordering
Scheduled production completion June/July 2026 — verify actual ship status before purchase

FAQ

Is the Universa II automatic or quartz?

The Universa II is automatic. The Sellita SW300-1 winds itself from the motion of your wrist, so it needs no battery. A full wind holds roughly 56 hours, so it keeps running overnight off the wrist; left longer it stops and restarts once you wear or hand-wind it.

What movement does the Universa II use?

The Universa II is powered by the Sellita SW300-1 from Sellita, an automatic caliber with 25 jewels, a 56-hour power reserve, and a 28,800 bph beat rate. Being automatic, it winds from the motion of your wrist and needs no battery.

How water resistant is the Universa II?

The Universa II is rated to 100 m. That covers swimming and snorkelling, though hot water and direct high-pressure water are best avoided, and it is not intended for scuba diving. Whatever the rating, avoid operating the crown or pushers underwater, and have the gaskets checked periodically to keep it reliable.

How big does the Universa II wear?

At 38 mm across with a 48 mm lug-to-lug and 11.8 mm thick, the Universa II wears as a versatile mid-size watch. Lug-to-lug is the measurement that really decides fit, since it sets how far the case spans the wrist — 48 mm suits most wrists, and smaller wrists especially should check that figure.

How does the Universa II differ from the original Universa?

The II upgrades from a hand-wound Sellita SW210-1 to an automatic SW300-1 (56h power reserve) and adds a screw-down crown — the original had a push-pull crown. The automatic rotor adds about 0.8mm of thickness, and the standard Universa II is priced at $995.

Is the Vitreous Enamel Series worth the $100 premium over the standard galvanic dial?

For dial enthusiasts, almost certainly yes. Fired lead-free glass on a 999 fine silver base plate produces depth and sheen that a galvanic surface cannot replicate. The enamel range also offers four distinct colours (Sapphire, Turquoise, Jessamine, Mercury) separate from the standard galvanic palette.

Why is Halios so hard to buy from?

Halios sells in small direct production runs, and the official site currently says Universa II ordering has not opened yet, with pre-orders opening soon. Past Halios releases have been highly sought after due to high demand and a loyal following. Signing up for the Halios newsletter and monitoring the official site is the most reliable path to securing the current Universa II at retail.

Compare with