Independents

BaselWorld 2013 - GoS (Gustafsson & Sjögren) Watches

GoS Watches is a partnership between Johan Gustafsson and Patrik Sjögren that we have been following with interest for several years now. I have met Patrik several times at recent BaselWorld fairs.  For the first this year GoS had their own stand at the fair, in the Palace "hall" (actually a tent) among many other small and independent watchmakers.  Certainly the most interesting corner of the fair.

This year I also had the pleasure of meeting for the first time Johan Gustafsson, the other half of the partnership Gustafsson & Sjögren Watches.  Johan is a bladesmith and knifemaker who has perfected techniques to make Damascus steel using modern Swedish tool and stainless steels.  In his shop he does the steel forging to make the basis material used in the GoS watches.  In the beginning the damascus steel parts were limited to the case and the dial of the watch.  Now they have perfected the techiques necessary to be able to use damascus steel also for movement parts.  As you can see in the pictures some of the newest movements have damascus steel bridges.
Note that different steels are used in making the damascus steel for the case and internal parts.  The cases are, of course, only stainless steels, but the internal parts are made of tool steels which give other possibilities for coloring with heat and acid treatments.

From the watchmaking side Patrik has been very busy too.  A cooperation with Martin Braun has resulted in a very nice new movement with silicon escapement, naturally not needing lubrication, and a 4/5 bridge, naturally made in damascus steel.  In the picture below you can see the purple-blue color of the silicon anchor.

A movement has also been made together with Jochen Benzinger for the "midsummer night" model.  Skeletonised and engraved gold plated bridges over a dark blue pvd plate.  I am looking forward to seeing this in a case.

The watches are delivered in "boxes" made in a traditional Swedish style, curved shingles lashed together.

GoS watches have been gaining on quality and coherence every year I have seen them.  They have a very individual "outback" style, without being rough.  The original materials and production by hand make these watches very special.

Patrik Sjögren

Johan Gustafsson

Details of a knife by Johan Gustafsson

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