Guide: 8 Swedish favourites right now

Text: Andreas Johansson & Anders Ackfeldt

In recent years the Swedish watch manufacturers have really challenged each other and more and more Swedish brands are beginning to find their way to an international audience. In this article we take a closer look at both some classics and some of these new watches. We can only establish that the Swedish watch manufacturers are hotter than ever. Here are our eight favourites right now: 

Bravur Automatic Chronograph Grand Tour – La Corsa Rosa II

The Skåne (Båstad) brand Bravur takes a lot of inspiration from cycling and has an abundance of innovative watches, of which many are produced in limited editions. We have set our sights on the model La Corsa Rosa II which measures 38,2 mm. The case is made of 316L stainless steel and combines brushed and polished surfaces. The watch has three pink sub-dials that lend themselves to different forms of timing with cycling in mind. The watch is driven by a Swiss-made Sellita SW511 movement, with automatic winding. The FKM rubber strap gives the watch a sporty look but it still feels as if the watch suits the club just as well as the peloton. The watch will according to Bravur only be made in 50 examples and costs 28 900 riksdaler.

Sjöö Sandström S1 Automatic 

In 1986 the two watch enthusiasts Christer Sjöö and Mikael Sandström put their wise heads together and started perhaps the best known Swedish watch company, Sjöö & Sandström. Their first watch, the S1 Automatic, came out in 1993 and is as close to a Swedish watch classic as you can get, as well as the first wristwatch that was both made and designed in its entirety on Swedish soil. In 1995 it won a prize in the form of ’Utmärkt Svensk Form’, and parts of the design can to this day be seen in Sjöö & Sandström's Royal Steel collection. The watch, which measures 37 mm, is limited to 10 000 examples and tends to bring in around 10 000 kronor at auction. The three rings on the outer edge of the dress watch represent Stockholm/Sweden/the World.

Tusenö Shellback V2 White

One of our absolute Swedish favourites is the micro diver Shellback V2 (coming in the summer of 2024) from Gothenburg's watch pride Tusenö. Tusenö is a lively company that has made a name for itself globally, mainly because of its diver's watches. The Shellback V2 is sharp, discreet and easy to wear thanks to its size of 40 mm in diameter and a thickness of 11,9 mm. The watch is driven by the reliable movement Sellita SW200, which is found at manufacturers such as Sinn, Christopher Ward, Baume et Mercier and Oris. There will be four  Shellback V2 available: three in stainless steel with blue, black and white dial; and one in black DLC stainless steel. We like the one with the white dial best. The price tag lands at 7 995 riksdaler.

TRIWA Ocean Plastic Sea Shepherd Black

Triwa was founded in 2007 in Stockholm. The name ’Triwa’ is an abbreviation of ’Transforming the Industry of Watches’. Triwa focuses on sustainability and also has an environmentally conscious approach by using recycled material and sustainable manufacturing methods, such as when they have made watches from recycled plastic from the seas and watches from fossil-free steel. TRIWA x Sea Shepherd is a collaboration between the watch company TRIWA and the global environmental organisation Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. The quartz watch (Miyota 2035) that is our favourite is the black Ocean Plastic 37mm with the super stylish logo from Sea Shepherd on the dial. The price lands at 1 595 kronor.

Halda Henning XO

Halda is a Swedish brand with a fine history. The brand has made several different types of watches. Watches that have been represented in space, on the racing track and of course the classic pocket watches. In recent years the brand has produced exclusive watches in a very limited production. Halda's Henning XO is no exception. The new watch is a tribute to the founder of Halda, Henning Hammarlund and his pocket watch. The watch measures 40 mm and made in solid 18 carat gold. Both the watch's and the movment's design is based on the old pocket watches' models and the movement has been developed further into a modern format. The watch will be made in 10 examples and lists at around 36 450 euro.    

Sjöö Sandström UTC Skydiver

Sjöö Sandström gets to be on the list twice. Their UTC Skydiver also deserves a place. The watch has been developed together with Swedish fighter pilots and has a combination between digital and analogue functions such as backlighting, alarm, perpetual calendar, second time zone, timer and chronograph. The watch is ”substantial” and measures 44,2 mm in width and 52,20 mm lug to lug. But despite its size it suits smaller wrists well too, the titanium version moreover weighs very light and comes with a fine white dial. The watch's list price is 33 800 kronor.

GoS Sarek Glacier

GoS watches began its journey in 2007 when the smith Johan Gustafsson and the watchmaker Patrik Sjögren talked about their passion for the Scandinavian craft tradition. Today Sjögren is the sole owner of the brand but the tradition of using Swedish smiths and steel continues and today it is the smith Conny Persson who stands for the craft. The brand has several exciting watches, many of them inspired by a viking theme, our choice has however fallen on the Sarek – Glacier. The dial consists of mother-of-pearl and has a magical shimmer in different lights. The watch's strap is made of elk hide and the presentation box is made by a Swedish glass craftsman. 

MALM Frogdiver

The brand MALM has above all made itself known as a pilot watch brand. In their design of new watches they have worked together with groups within Swedish aviation. They have several fine watches in their ”aviation collection” but our choice fell instead on their diver ”Frogdiver”. This watch is made to meet the needs of clearance divers and the most impressive function is found in the manual depth gauge's which works thanks to the sapphire crystal being perforated for the passage of water to the depth gauge. The Frogdiver, which is available in both a black and a blue execution, has an impressive 500 metres of water resistance. With its integrated bracelet it gets a very distinctive look that pulls in the neo-vintage direction. Apart from the Swiss movements from Sellita and Manufacture La Joux-Perret (MLJP), the design, assembly and service of Malm's watches take place in Linköping. The price tag lands at 27 990 kronor.