Here at The Coolector, we find that the best brands are often born from a spirit that goes far beyond the products they create. A case in point? The excellent Helm Watches. This American-owned and operated brand, with its roots firmly planted in North Carolina, emerged from a concept conceived in the summer of 2014 and has been delivering exceptional value and rugged design ever since. Their first timepiece, the Vanuatu 300m Automatic, dropped in 2015 and immediately set the tone for a brand dedicated to a refreshingly straightforward mission: to produce durable, affordable, and dependable watches inspired by a life of adventure.
But what truly sets Helm apart is that this isn’t just marketing copy. The founders themselves embodied this adventurous ethos, taking a monumental leap of faith by moving halfway around the world to launch their company in a crowded market. This palpable spirit of exploration is baked into the very DNA of the brand. They didn’t just want to design watches for adventurers; their own journey became one of their greatest adventures. This authenticity is tangible in every timepiece they produce, each one a robust tool designed to be a trusted companion for a lifetime of your own exploits, big and small. For anyone seeking a watch with genuine soul and capability, Helm is a name you’ll want to know.
Their latest collection of watches, the brilliant TOGIAK series, is possibly our favourite to date here at Coolector HQ and consists of three equally excellent timepieces – the TOGIAK Scout, the TOGIAK Expedition and the TOGIAK Expedition UTC. You can read more about each of these fantastic timepieces below:
TOGIAK SCOUT WATCH ($265)
Here at The Coolector, a good field watch is a cornerstone of any collection, but a great one tells a story. The HELM Togiak Scout is unequivocally one of the great ones. Taking its design cues and rugged spirit from the four-million-acre Togiak National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, this is a timepiece built for genuine exploration. It evokes images of pristine rivers and glacial lakes, a spirit of adventure that it’s more than equipped to handle, whether your wilderness is in the mountains or the middle of the city.
The build quality is, frankly, exceptional for its class. The Togiak Scout features a perfectly judged 39.5mm case crafted from bead-blasted 316L stainless steel, giving it a tough, no-nonsense finish. It’s packed with features that defy its accessible price point: a flat sapphire crystal, 100 metres of water resistance, and a screw-down crown cleverly positioned at 4 o’clock for enhanced comfort. At its heart beats the reliable workhorse Seiko NH36 automatic movement, providing both day and date complications neatly displayed at 6 o’clock for a balanced, legible dial.
Where the Togiak truly excels, however, is in the sheer value on offer. For just $265, you not only get the watch on a robust steel bracelet, but HELM also includes one of their excellent NS2 Nylon Straps, making it instantly adaptable to any situation. Available in several dial colours—including a brilliant full-lume option—the Togiak Scout isn’t just a watch; it’s a complete adventure-ready package. For those seeking a dependable, handsome, and affordable field watch, the search may well be over.
TOGIAK EXPEDITION ($350)
If the Togiak Scout is the perfect daily adventurer, the Togiak Expedition is its bigger, tougher sibling that’s ready for a serious deployment. Sharing its inspirational roots with the vast Alaskan wilderness of the Togiak National Refuge, this timepiece takes the core concept and elevates it to a truly expedition-grade level. It’s a watch designed not just to visit the wild, but to thrive in it, offering a formidable feature set for those who demand more from their gear.
The headline upgrade here is the move to a full Grade 2 titanium case and bracelet. This immediately places the Expedition in a different league, shedding significant weight for enhanced comfort on long journeys while sacrificing nothing in the way of toughness. The case is upsized to a confident 42mm, and its capability is bolstered with an increased water resistance of 200 metres. What truly enhances its utility, however, is the 120-click unidirectional bezel, which comes with a choice of five different inserts—including elapsed-time, 12-hour, and compass variations—transforming it into a true multi-mission tool.
Despite these significant upgrades, the value proposition remains off the charts. Powered by the ever-reliable Seiko NH36 automatic movement and protected by a sapphire crystal, the package is astonishing. For just $350, you receive the full titanium watch and bracelet, plus a versatile NS2 nylon strap, offering a level of specification that punches far, far above its weight class. For the serious adventurer seeking a lightweight, capable, and affordable tool watch, the Togiak Expedition is an almost unbeatable proposition.
TOGIAK Expedition UTC ($380)
The HELM TOGIAK Expedition UTC Watch isn’t just another timepiece; it’s a rugged, go-anywhere accessory built for those who crave adventure. Drawing its name and spirit from the four-million-acre Togiak National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, this watch is designed to tackle the most untamed terrain on the planet.
Crafted from tough Grade 2 titanium, the Togiak Expedition UTC is both lightweight and incredibly durable, shrugging off bumps and scrapes with ease. The G2 titanium case and bracelet, paired with a screw-down crown and caseback, ensure it can handle whatever you throw at it. With a sapphire crystal providing unmatched scratch resistance and 200m of water resistance, this watch is as comfortable in a glacial lake as it is in the urban jungle.
Powering this beast is a reliable Seiko NH34 automatic movement, offering both hacking and manual winding functions, along with a handy UTC complication for tracking multiple time zones. The clear, legible dial, available in three different colorways with either C3 or BGW9 lume, ensures you can always tell the time, whether you’re navigating a remote trail or just trying to catch your flight.
The Togiak Expedition UTC comes with a sturdy titanium bracelet and an NS2 nylon strap, giving you options for comfort and style. With a standard 22mm lug width, you’re free to swap it out for any number of aftermarket straps to suit your personal vibe. At a price tag of $380, this isn’t just a watch; it’s a ticket to adventure.
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