The Norrsken

 From GoS -

Courtesy of GoS

Not since peanut butter and jelly first got together has the world been treated to such a dynamic result!

Courtesy of GoS

At first glance, you see a beautifully engraved case the likes of which GoS watches are famous for, and a stunning guilloche dial which, if I have read correctly was aided by the skills of Jochen Benzinger. But when you turn out the lights...

Courtesy of GoS Watches

you see the handiwork of the Black Badger, the nom de lume of James Thompson.  But wait!  There's still more!  Notice that chapter ring?

Courtesy of GoS Watches 

That isn't just any chapter ring. It is the handiwork of Mikael Kenlind, a master artisan working with glass, or more specifically - hand blown Swedish crystal. And this chapter ring is the result of his efforts.

Courtesy of GoS Watches

So what? What's the big deal?  Well, gentle reader, allow me to make it plain -

Patrik Sjögren and Johan Gustafsson have been grinding it out for as long as I've been writing about watches. Several stops along the way they probably could have cashed in on easy opportunities, dumbed down their offerings, gone for the easy money. But in a watch world full of gimmicky, me-too offerings, GoS has been a true North Star reminding watch brands big and small what it means to stand firm on what you believe in.

And then add the calculated whimsey of the master of all things lume, the Black Badger, and it's as if a new watch making super hero group has been formed to battle the forces of a boring hegemony.  I mean, don't get me wrong - the big dogs make some perfectly nice watches. But if you really and truly want something different, something special, this "Fantastic Five Mashup" is the Shit That Killed Elvis!

Here are the pertinents -

Functions
Hours, Minutes Seconds
Small second at 6h:00 in the shape of the GoS triskele

Movement
Manufacture movement by Schwarz Etienne with GoS-specific modifications and finishing
Automatic winding with a micro-rotor and damascus steel counterweight
GoS triskele engraved on click wheel
Handpolished bevels on all bridges
Separate bridge for escape wheel
21,600 vibrations/hour
86h power reserve
Stop-seconds mechanism
33 jewels – 199 parts
30.40mm x 5.25mm

Case
41.5mm x 12.1mm (8mm at edge)
Stainless steel with optional Black Damascus case ring and/or Damascus steel bezel
Sapphire crystals front and caseback – Front crystal domed with double sided anti-reflective coating
Transparent crystal gaskets in new Swiss developed material
5ATM water resistance (50m)
Crown with double gaskets and GoS internal impact protection

Dial
Damascus steel:
Handforged Swedish tool steel by Johan Gustafsson - machined and finished by Patrik Sjögren
Guilloche:
Silver dial handturned by master Jochen Benzinger - machined and finished by Patrik Sjögren
Hour index recesses filled with emerald green Badgerite, developed by James Thompson together with Swiss SuperLuminova
Transparent index ring in Swedish Crystal - individually handmade by master glass artisan Mikael Kenlind
Solid ring of Badgerite applied round the Crystal index ring

Hands
GoS viking spearhead – Rhodium plated
GoS triskele small seconds hand

Strap
Polished Salmon leather – black – Made in Stockholm
Tapered 21mm to 20mm with rounded padding
Pin buckle in stainless damascus steel with GoS triskele logo

Presentation box
Individually handcrafted presentation box in Swedish crystal, handmade by glass artisan Mikael Kenlind

Ghosts of BaselWorld Past - 2013 and GoS Watches

I have known Patrik Sjögren for a wee little while now, and have taken a lot of personal pleasure in seeing the growth of GoS.

2013 was when I first clapped eyes on GoS.  This was back when BaselWorld still had The Palace, which hosted a BUNCH of small and independent brands, and was the precursor for what would evolve into Les Ateliers.  

A lot has happened for GoS and for Tempus Fugit in those seven years, but GoS is still ticking away, and although I won't get to see my friend this year, he and his partner Johan Gustafsson did have something special, so for those of you who missed earlier, here it is again -

Courtesy of GoS Watches

Patrik Sjögren is perhaps one of the nicest people I've met in the watch business. And in many ways I've followed along with him as GoS has progressed, and grown. And honestly? Anyone who comes to my house and has my cat instantly fall in love with him? He must be a pretty great guy!

Courtesy of GoS Watches

This is the Skadi - the Norse goddess of Winter.  And it is truly something special.  Like much of the GoS collection, this piece is inspired by and named for a figure from Norse mythology.  And as I've known Patrik for quite some time, I'm going to let him tell the story in his own words -

The new model from GoS combines black damascus steel with red gold and glacier-blue luminous Mother of Pearl to illustrate the landscape ruled by Skadi - the Winter Goddess in Norse Mythology. Skadi is pronounced Skah-dee and she personifies strength, courage, and endurance. Her most mentioned attributes are her bow and skis as she is very skilled at using them both to hunt and to engage in battle.

And in addition to the phenomenal work of Patrik's partner Johan Gustafsson who is responsible for the Damascus steel work that has helped to make GoS so well known, two other artisans have joined this effort.  Anders Hedlund is a master knife maker who previously worked on the Sarek Trollius, and he is responsible for the engraving on both the lugs and the movement of the Skadi. And per GoS -

GoS introduce another master craftsman to the GoS collective as master goldsmith Peter deWit cast the gold parts for the case and also fit the premium quality blue sapphires in all indexes and the damascus steel crown.

The dial is a true point of interest.  To look at it you would not think that it was what it is - white mother of pearl.  But appearances can be deceiving - the blue hue is achieved through the use of Super-Luminova.

Here are the pertinents -

Specification - GoS Skadi – Limited to 5pcs

• ●  Case: 44.5mmx10mm (5ATM)
• ●  Lug width: 22mm
• ●  Glass: Flat sapphire glass with double sided AR coating, extra hard on outside
• ●  Movement: Soprod Chronometre grade 6498 with screwed balance. Bridges made from one solid piece of damascus steel handforged by Johan Gustafsson.
• ●  Dial: Three-layered dial with premium white mother-of-pearl on top and a thick layer of Swiss Super-LumiNova below for the best available afterglow and colored luminescence. The luminescent material is enclosed by a thin rhodinated brass plate with hand-soldered dial feet. The dials have a EU design protection and are manufactured and assembled by hand in the GoS workshop.
• ●  bezel: Black damascus steel made from stainless damascus steel.
• ●  Index ring/rehaut: Two layers combining previous GoS design with inspiration from viking bracelets. The upper ring and the 
  GoS logo are gold plated.
• ●  Hands: GoS spear shape in Johan 
  Gustafsson ́s handforged damascus steel. 
  The hands have a high contrast finishing 
  on the upper surface and handpolished bevels.
• ●  Crown: GoS design in handsculpted stainless damascus steel with a large goldfitted blue sapphire 7.5mm in
  diameter and with double gaskets.
• ●  Case: Case ring in black damascus steel made from stainless damascus steel provided by Swedish masters from Damasteel and reworked by GoS. Industry-strength PVD coating by ionbond Sweden, in Linköping.
  Case back, glass ring and lugs from 18k gold – all handmade in Linköping Sweden.
• ●  Strap: Handcrafted and tapered 22-20mm strap in premium Moose leather, fitted with premium GoS 20mm Swiss made folding buckle 18k gold
• ●  Limited edition to 5pcs and every watch is engraved X/5 to indicate number in sequence.
• ●  Five year guarantee
• ●  Delivered in presentation box in Swedish Walnut, handcrafted by Kanevad workshop in old Linköping

Skadi - the Norse Goddess of Winter

From GoS -

Courtesy of GoS Watches

Patrik Sjögren is perhaps one of the nicest people I've met in the watch business. And in many ways I've followed along with him as GoS has progressed, and grown. And honestly? Anyone who comes to my house and has my cat instantly fall in love with him? He must be a pretty great guy!

Courtesy of GoS Watches

This is the Skadi - the Norse goddess of Winter.  And it is truly something special.  Like much of the GoS collection, this piece is inspired by and named for a figure from Norse mythology.  And as I've known Patrik for quite some time, I'm going to let him tell the story in his own words -

The new model from GoS combines black damascus steel with red gold and glacier-blue luminous Mother of Pearl to illustrate the landscape ruled by Skadi - the Winter Goddess in Norse Mythology. Skadi is pronounced Skah-dee and she personifies strength, courage, and endurance. Her most mentioned attributes are her bow and skis as she is very skilled at using them both to hunt and to engage in battle.

And in addition to the phenomenal work of Patrik's partner Johan Gustafsson who is responsible for the Damascus steel work that has helped to make GoS so well known, two other artisans have joined this effort.  Anders Hedlund is a master knife maker who previously worked on the Sarek Trollius, and he is responsible for the engraving on both the lugs and the movement of the Skadi. And per GoS -

GoS introduce another master craftsman to the GoS collective as master goldsmith Peter deWit cast the gold parts for the case and also fit the premium quality blue sapphires in all indexes and the damascus steel crown.

The dial is a true point of interest.  To look at it you would not think that it was what it is - white mother of pearl.  But appearances can be deceiving - the blue hue is achieved through the use of Super-Luminova.

Here are the pertinents -

Specification - GoS Skadi – Limited to 5pcs

• ●  Case: 44.5mmx10mm (5ATM)
• ●  Lug width: 22mm
• ●  Glass: Flat sapphire glass with double sided AR coating, extra hard on outside
• ●  Movement: Soprod Chronometre grade 6498 with screwed balance. Bridges made from one solid piece of damascus steel handforged by Johan Gustafsson.
• ●  Dial: Three-layered dial with premium white mother-of-pearl on top and a thick layer of Swiss Super-LumiNova below for the best available afterglow and colored luminescence. The luminescent material is enclosed by a thin rhodinated brass plate with hand-soldered dial feet. The dials have a EU design protection and are manufactured and assembled by hand in the GoS workshop.
• ●  bezel: Black damascus steel made from stainless damascus steel.
• ●  Index ring/rehaut: Two layers combining previous GoS design with inspiration from viking bracelets. The upper ring and the 
  GoS logo are gold plated.
• ●  Hands: GoS spear shape in Johan 
  Gustafsson ́s handforged damascus steel. 
  The hands have a high contrast finishing 
  on the upper surface and handpolished bevels.
• ●  Crown: GoS design in handsculpted stainless damascus steel with a large goldfitted blue sapphire 7.5mm in
  diameter and with double gaskets.
• ●  Case: Case ring in black damascus steel made from stainless damascus steel provided by Swedish masters from Damasteel and reworked by GoS. Industry-strength PVD coating by ionbond Sweden, in Linköping.
  Case back, glass ring and lugs from 18k gold – all handmade in Linköping Sweden.
• ●  Strap: Handcrafted and tapered 22-20mm strap in premium Moose leather, fitted with premium GoS 20mm Swiss made folding buckle 18k gold
• ●  Limited edition to 5pcs and every watch is engraved X/5 to indicate number in sequence.
• ●  Five year guarantee
• ●  Delivered in presentation box in Swedish Walnut, handcrafted by Kanevad workshop in old Linköping

Who's Next?

Speaking with a brand owner the other day and the question he kept asking - who is next?

What did he mean by that? Well, up until the (if we're honest) late 90s / early oughts nobody really gave two tosses about who ran what watch brand. And designers were, by and large, only really recognized by a handful of people.

Now the funny part of all of this is that no single thing so dramatic happened to change the landscape inside of the industry. It was a lot of little things that all took place around the same time, and created a snow ball effect. More on this for a different post, but it's important to bear in mind that there was a time not so very long ago where we neither knew or cared about who designed our favorite watch, or who ran the brand.

Now back to the opening salvo - Who's next?

The watch industry is just that, an industry. But within every industry there are always glimmers of excitement, mavericks, people who chart their own course and in doing so offer something truly remarkable, that stands the test of time.

Names that were mentioned during this conversation included the obvious - Biver, Hayek and Schnyder. But some others came through - Silberstein, Genta and Richard Mille. And the question again was - "Who is next?" and the honest answer that I gave was pretty blunt - nobody.

Now before you beetle over to the comment button to leave your bon mots, allow me to elaborate. There are plenty of creative, talented people out there making some wonderful things -

Sarpaneva -

Shamelessly borrowed from the Sarpaneva Facebook page

Fiona Krüger -

Courtesy of Fiona Krüger

Patrik Sjögren -

Courtesy of GoS

But these folks have been at it for awhile, and in fairness, they are taking different approaches from the luminaries that preceded them. Because back in the day, you had to have a benefactor. The Royal Oak is a great watch, but (and I say this with all due respect), it would not have been anything more than an interesting idea without the weight of Audemars Piguet behind it. And even that, on it's own, was not enough, a certain amount of luck was involved and it is safe to say that it was lightning in a bottle. Think I'm full of it? Well let's see... there is the Nautilus. It was backed by a tiny, insignificant little Swiss firm... Patek Philippe.

And yet there were other really dope designs such as the Overseas and the Laureato. But neither one has really enjoyed the same level of "thingness" that the Royal Oak or the Nautilus have.

So who or what is next remains really hard to know, and here's
why - fear. I am a risk averse fellow myself, but fear is what drives the majority of decisions made in the larger brands. Fear of failure, fear of embarrassment, fear of looking bad. And now that Vacheron, GP, Blancpain and others are part of larger groups that are answerable to investors, etc.? That fear is on steroids.

What many of us are waiting for is to see brands develop and grow talent IN HOUSE. Talent that will be encouraged to take some risks, and make watches that are out of the norm and challenge the status quo. Now it would be easy to say that there is nothing new in watches. Well, I wouldn't necessarily buy that, but I would say that at the rate we are going we will never know if the big brands don't start letting the next generation take their turn at the wheel.

In this day and age, you don't necessarily need a benefactor, but more and more it becomes impossible for the independent creator to do more than merely create. It can be the most beautiful, technically advanced, cutting edge watch out there. But if nobody knows about it, nobody buys it.

We are ready to find out who's next. So big brands? The ball's in your court. And I hope that the independents maintain their independence. If the big dogs aren't willing or able to take some chances? Let them labor on in mediocrity.

The Varing

From GoS -

Courtesy of GoS

This is the latest from the dynamic duo at GoS, Johan Gustafsson and Patrik Sjögren.  Inspired and named for a dynamic viking leader, Väring, this will be the talk of BaselWorld for many.  Now in fairness, GoS can no longer really be referred to as a newcomer, but this latest piece is special for a few reasons.  It is the first GoS watch to utilize some bronze parts in addition to their world-renowned damascus stainless steel.  Bronze is a metal that was used extensively by the vikings.  While steel was what you used to make weapons, bronze was preferred for more everyday items, particularly the decorative ones.

Courtesy of GoS

There will be more on the Väring during BaselWorld, so stay tuned!  For now, here are the pertinents -

Specification – GoS Väring – limited to 12 pieces
Watch series - Väring

•   Case: 43.5mmx10.5mm (5ATM) made in Stainless Damascus steel case ring and Bronze (CuSn8) case back and bezel. The bronze parts have a satinized finish that is lightly patinated while the chamfers are high gloss polished. 
  
  
•   Lug width: 22mm 
  
  
•   Glass: Flat sapphire glass with double sided AR coating, extra hard on outside 
  
  
•   Movement: GoS02 caliber based on Technotime TT718 and manufactured to COSC specifications. The
  movement has a center second hand and ticks at 4Hz (28,800) with a 120 hour power reserve. It has a
  classic finishing with deep polished beveled edges and satinized top 
  
  
•   Dial: 192 layered steel monochrome Damascus steel with a pools pattern. Tempered coloring of dial
  available as an option and every clients gets to choose their dial from a minimum of two alternatives 
  
  
•   Index ring/rehaut: Solid Bronze, hand finished patinated surfaces and polished chamfers. The bottom layer
  of the index ring is white/green luminescent and provide raking light on the damascus steel dial 
  
  
•   Hands: Solid bronze, hand finished with pre-patinized surfaces and polished chamfers 
  
  
•   Crown: 8.5mm in fine grained stainless damascus stainless steel, fileworked edge, double gasket crown inset 
  
  
•   Case finishing: Stainless damascus steel, high gloss polished with GoS logo engraved on case side. Bronze
  parts satinized and patinized to slightly darken the Bronze. All chamfers hand polished to a high gloss
  Bronze surface that will patinate with use 
  
  
•   Strap:Hand crafted moose leather fitted with stainless steel, GoS buckle 
  
  
•   Every watch engraved withitsproductionnumber1-12/12 
  
  
•   Five-year guarantee 
  
  
•   Delivered in handcrafted presentation box in Walnut, made by Kanevad wood artists in Linköping and
  engraved with viking knot patterns.
  

 

A New Winter Nights Interpretation

From GoS Watches -

Courtesy of GoS Watches

Patrik Sjögren of GoS Watches was kind enough to share a customization of one of his Winter Nights watches.


Patrik explained that The Winter Nights is a model well suited for customization as its original configuration features an untempered dial (without colors).  The hands (made of  white gold) pair wonderfully with  the blue/purple dial.

Welcome Winter!

Endless Summer!

From GoS!

Courtesy of GoS Watches

Point of full disclosure - I represent GoS Watches in North America.  Further point of full disclosure, even if I didn't, I would say that the watches they make are the SHIT THAT KILLED ELVIS!

This is the Nordic Seasons Summer.

GoS Bifrost Ice Blue

Sunday is movie day!

Behold the rare beauty that is the Bifrost Ice Blue (Isblå), courtesy of GoS -

Nordic Seasons – Gold

So the big excitement for GoS Watches for this year's BaselWorld edition will be the unveiling of their new Nordic Seasons - Gold.

Courtesy of GoS Watches

This new piece will have a five day power reserve!  It also represents the first piece in the GoS collection that will utilize the the new GoS Damascus steel movement which is based on the Technotime TT718.  This movement is manually wound, beating at 4hz (28,800) with a double barrel which makes the five day power reserve possible.  The movement is modified with manufactured finished Damascus's steel bridges utilizing Johan Gustafson's hand forged Damascus steel.

The case of the Nordic Seasons - Gold is (yes you guessed it) utilizing gold in addition to the now "standard issue" Damascus steel.  It offers a wonderful interplay of red gold reflecting beautifully within the backdrop of Damascus steel.

The crown is file worked to provide improved grip, and subtly including nine indentations on each side as the number nine is significant in Norse mythology.


Here are the specs:

Production specification - Nordic Seasons - Gold
Watch series - Nordic Seasons - Gold

• ●  Case: 18K red gold and stainless Damascus steel 43mmx10mm (5ATM)
  
• ●  Lug width: 22mm
  
• ●  Glass: Flat sapphire glass with double sided AR coating
  
• ●  Movement: GoS Damascus steel caliber based on Technotime TT718 and manufactured to COSC
  specifications. Bridges manufactured in Sweden from one piece of handforged Damascus steel that has a woodgrain pattern. The movement has a center second hand and ticks at 4Hz (28,800) with a 120 hour power reserve.
  
• ●  Dial: 192 layered steel Damascus steel with a wildflower pattern
  
• ●  Index ring/rehaut: Solid 18K red gold, shaped and polished by hand, GoS triskele symbol in 18K red gold
  fitted on dial
  
• ●  Hands: Solid 18K red gold shaped and polished by hand
  
• ●  Crown: 9mm in finegrained stainless Damascus stainless steel, fileworked edge, double gasket crown inset
  
• ●  Case finishing: Stainless Damascus steel, high gloss polished with GoS logo engraved on case side
  
• ●  Strap: Handcrafted soft nubuck leather (optional Crocodile strap), fitted with GoS gold buckle
  
• ●  Every watch engraved with its production number
  
• ●  Five year guarantee
  Presentation Box
  

• ●  Individually crafted box in svepask technique of birch wood
  
• ●  Colored with natural pigments mixed in linseed oil
  
• ●  Covered with high grade natural wax and polished to a deep finish 
  

You Get to Pick 1 of Each... GoS

Still my all-time favorite - the GoS Nordic Seasons Winter

Courtesy of GoS Watches

Having seen this Swedish beauty in person, I can honestly say that it is one of the most wonderfully finished watches I have EVER had on my wrist.

Courtesy of GoS Watches

And what makes it special, just like all of the GoS Watches is that although it is a small series, no two pieces will be the same owing to the individual nature of the Damascus Steel detail work.

Courtesy of GoS Watches

Here are the details -

Specification

• Case: Stainless steel and stainless damascus steel 45mmx11mm  (10ATM)
• Lug width: 22mm
• Glass: Flat sapphire glass with AR coating
• Movement: Swiss manual ETA 6498
• Movement refinement: Refinished and  improved to chronometre grade by the swiss company Soprod.
• Dial: Handforged damascus steel
• Index ring/rehaut: Solid gold, shaped and polished by hand
• Hands: Solid gold, shaped and polished by hand
• Crown: 9mm in finegrained stainless damascus stainless steel, double gasket crown inset
• Case finishing: Stainless damascus steel, highgloss polished with GoS logo engraved on case side.
• Strap: Handcrafted strap in soft nubuck leather fitted with GoS stainless steel buckle

Watch Model - Nordic Seasons Winter

• Dial: Handforged explosion damascus steel, tempered to receive an ice blue nuance
• Hands:  Solid 18K white gold
• Index ring: Solid 18K white gold
• Limitation: 5pcs but every one is a unique piece

The "Other" BaselWorld - 2015

As in years previous, Swiss Creative Lab will be hosting several brands that you will want to see and get to know.  But you will not find them in the halls of BaselWorld.  Rather, you will find them in various locations of the Ramada, right next to Hall 2, and across the "tram track" from the Palace.

Some of the folks you will see:

Courtesy of Kairos

                    Kairos - reputed to be offering the world's first mechanical "Smart Watch".

Tiret - the watch brand founded and driven by designer Daniel Lazar.

Dietrich coming off of a fantastic first year, Dietrich will be on hand to share their growing collection.

RALF TECH offering solid, rugged time machines to accompany you through life's adventures

Patrik and GoS Watches will be there with their Damascus steel masterpieces

Atlantic and their collection of timeless watches will be on hand

Behold - The Midnight Sun from GoS Watches!

This is the latest offering from GoS Watches -

Courtesy of GoS Watches

The Tipping Point

So it was a very interesting day for me today.  I went for a ride on my bici.  The same ride that I take every Saturday (and if I'm lucky) Sunday.  Today I took a right turn where I normally go straight.  And I found myself on this long, steady, beautiful climb.  It went up, and up, and up.  Slowly, steadily I kept   pedaling.  And cheezy as it sounds, for a moment I was somewhere else.  And as often is the case, I got to thinking about watches and how so often both watch brands and us (the people who follow them) we don't take that right turn.  

So tonight I wanted to share some people that I think are taking that right turn, taking us to that unexpected place.  A watch is, ultimately, just a mechanism.  And for better or worse, the world does not NEED any more watches - and to talk to some of the people manning fairly important and senior positions at some of the biggest, most "exclusive" brands, I am often left with the feeling that they might as well be working for a toothpaste company.  There is no spark, there is no passion.  They are virtually inanimate objects.   

So who is passionate?  

Martin Braun for one.  Here is someone who got the "fuzzy end of the lollipop" when his brand became a part of the Franck Mueller group.  It would have been easy for him to wait for another bigger brand to come in, but he had a vision.  And today he is seeing the results of that passion and vision.  Antoine Martin has steadily developed into something special.

Another Martin - Martin Pauli.  I think what I love about Angular Momentum/Manu Propria is that Martin came into the watch world not necessarily by "design", but rather THROUGH design.  These days he has a following of devoted collectors that truly spans the globe.  He is not someone who seeks the spotlight, but rather lets the beautiful designs on his watch dials do the talking.  He could take the easy approach and have someone else simply stamp his dials - but this is a fellow interested in (and practicing) numerous artistic disciplines, and that passion shows through in what he is doing.

Adrien Choux.  The owner of the Chinese Timekeeper although born in France, chose to make his life in Asia - most specifically in Hong Kong.  Consider that this is someone who was steadily climbing the Richemont career ladder with Panerai.  someone holding onto the "golden ticket"... decides to go his own way, to take that right turn and to launch his version of a luxury Chinese watch.  

Patrik Sjögren.  Computer scientist/engineer turned watch maker.  Again - it would have been so easy to carry on with what he was doing.  But there was something more driving him towards the decision to become a watch maker.  And then it went further - to produce his own watches.  And not just any watches.  GoS watches are quickly gaining a very strong following for people attracted not just to the unique cases, but the beautifully finished dials.

So the next time you're going out watch shopping, instead of heading straight to the "usual suspects", take a right turn and check out something unique.  Yes, it is a watch - a micro machine.  But it is something that was conceived, designed and made by a person.  And really, it should be about people.

A Few Minutes with Patrik Sjögren

Computer scientist, jazz musician, watch maker... and now a few minutes with Patrik Sjögren

Summer Solstice!

Courtesy of GoS Watches

This weekend marks the Solstice festival here in Santa Barbara.

Winter Nights

During a too-hot snap here in Santa Barbara, I was awaken from a fitful sleep to these fantastic images from Patrik of GoS -

Courtesy of GoS

 I know we're not even officially in Summer yet, but I am already dreaming of Winter Nights...

What's Cool at BaselWorld?

That is the question I keep getting asked. Well, right up there were the watches that
GoS Watches brought and Patrik Sjögren talked to me about.

Winter - GoS Nordic Seasons

This just in from GoS -

GoS Nordic Seasons completed with the release of the Winter edition


The partnership between the bladesmith Johan Gustafsson and watchmaker Patrik Sjögren aims to
provide truly unique watches, created with inspiration from the cold north of Scandinavia and the
ancient Swedish tradition in metallurgy.

GoS proudly presents - Winter - the last edition the Nordic Seasons series of watches designed with inspiration from the rich contrasts of the Nordic seasons. The theme for the Winter dial is ice. Ice is perceived as blue when light passes through it because it blocks red light. The shade is determined by the thickness of the ice, i.e. the thicker the ice the more saturated blue color.

Courtesy of GoS & Håkan Ahldén

The dial is created in tempered pattern welded steel, also known as damascus steel, which has been hand forged in Johan Gustafsson's unique Explosion pattern. Patrik Sjögren then treats the surface and gives it an exact tempering to give it a lustrous ice blue color that change nuance depending on light conditions, reflections and viewing angles. The contrasting hands in solid white gold are highly legible on the blue dial.
The Nordic Series are the first GoS watches to feature a case in damascus steel and the design is based on the previous GoS cases with a focus to highlight the damascus steel features. One unique feature of the GoS case is the larger diameter of the case back and bezels, which we use to highlight the curved surface of the damascus steel case core as the steel pattern is mirrored in the highgloss polished finish.


Another unique feature is the damascus steel bezel inset that frames the dial. The trademark oversize crown in damascus steel has a larger diameter than previous GoS models but the height has been reduced to increase overall wearability as the case core is 45mm.

The hands of the Nordic Seasons are made in solid gold and have the GoS sword shape that premiered in the Stockholm model. An index ring with markers with similar shapes to match the hands. All hands and index rings are hand finished with polished bevels.

All Nordic Seasons are equipped with a strap in black soft nubuck as the matte surface of the straps blends well with the damascus steel finish. These GoS straps are handmade and are fastened with screwed lugs and a stainless steel GoS buckle.

Courtesy of GoS & Håkan Ahldén

DETAILS:

Stainless damascus steel case and crown

The 6498 movement is refined and refinished by Soprod

Specifications - GoS Nordic Seasons

Watch series - Nordic Seasons

● Case: Stainless steel and stainless damascus steel 44/45mmx10mm (10ATM)

● Lug width: 22mm

● Glass: Flat sapphire glass with AR coating

● Movement: Swiss manual ETA 6498

● Movement refinement: Refinished and improved to chronometre grade by the swiss company Soprod.

● Dial: Handforged damascus steel

● Index ring/rehaut: Solid gold, shaped and polished by hand

● Hands: Solid gold, shaped and polished by hand

● Crown: 9mm in finegrained stainless damascus stainless steel, double gasket crown inset

● Case finishing: Stainless damascus steel, highgloss polished with GoS logo engraved on case side.

● Strap: Handcrafted strap in soft nubuck leather fitted with GoS stainless steel buckle

Damascus steel movement

● Movement: Swiss manual ETA 6498 : yellow

● Movement refinement: Improved to chronometre grade by the swiss company Soprod.

● Movement modification: 3/4 bridge made in solid handforged damascus steel.

● Limitation: 4pcs, available as an option to the Nordic Season series.

Watch Model - Nordic Seasons Winter

● Dial: Handforged explosion damascus steel, tempered to receive an ice blue color.

● Hands: Solid 18K white gold

● Index ring: Solid 18K white gold

● Limitation: 5pcs

Presentation Box

● Individually crafted box in svepask technique of birch wood

● Colored with natural pigments mixed in linseed oil

● Covered with high grade natural wax and polished to a deep finish

● Protection box of black&grey hard paper

● Guarantee certificate, two years guarantee

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