GoS Skadi
The GoS Skadi is the latest creation from Gustafsson & Sjögren, the Scandinavian duo with a penchant for Norse mythology.
Gustafsson & Sjögren, GoS Watches, is based in Sweden and was founded by Johan Gustafsson and Patrik Sjögren back in 2007. The firm celebrates its Scandinavian origins, taking inspiration from local nature and the history of the region.
While Sjögren is a master watchmaker, Gustafson is a master bladesmith. This might sound like an unorthodox pairing for a watch brand, but one glance at a GoS timepiece explains everything. This independent watch brand crafts cases made of Damascus steel, sometimes also used for making high-end collector’s knives, another speciality of Gustafson. This material necessitates expert forging, but the resultant surface is heavily patterned, rich in character and beautiful to behold. Moreover, no two objects made of this material share the same pattern, conferring a welcome degree of exclusivity.
In 2019, GoS Watches collaborated with the high-end brand, Singer Reimagined. GoS Watches produced a watch case formed of Damascus steel which played host to one of its Track 1 Edition chronographs. This unique model was made for the prestigious charity watch auction, Only Watch, helping to raise awareness for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Gustafsson’s prowess at forging Damascus steel and Sjögren’s skills at ‘the bench’ has attracted admirers from around the globe, especially from horophiles with a predilection for independent watchmaking.
Once again, the creative duo have been busy, recently unveiling a new model, the GoS Skadi. This timepiece pairs Damascus steel with 18-carat gold.
It seems there is no limit to this brand’s ambition and creativity.
The brand’s press release (edited)
The latest 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.
Hands and movement components are made from Johan Gustafsson’s Damascus steel which has been featured in previous GoS models but is now re-introduced in Skadi with further refinement. The engraving on both case lugs and movement is done by master knifemaker Anders Hedlund, who also does the outstanding engraving work on Sarek Trollius. GoS introduce another master craftsman to the GoS collective as master goldsmith Peter deWit cast the 18k gold parts for the case and has his jewel fitters apply the premium quality blue sapphires in all indexes and the hand-sculpted Damascus steel crown.
GoS developed the black Damascus steel during 2018 and it was first introduced in the collaboration with Singer Reimagined and the unique piece Track1 Black Damascus for OnlyWatch 2019. A Damascus steel pattern normally loses most of its contrasts within the pattern if the material is coated. However, the industry strength PVD coating that GoS is developed in Sweden and has superb qualities that enhance the contrasts. The black polished elements of the pattern welded steel are indeed deep black but also sparkle with light reflections.
The dial is made from white Mother of Pearl, which is both coloured and backlit through clever use of modern Swiss Super-Luminova. This technique was developed by Patrik Sjögren during 2018 and was first introduced in Sarek Glacier during Baselworld 2019.
The icy blue glow has a close resemblance to the light reflections in a snowy landscape during a moonlit night.
The dials consist of three layers; a brass base dial, a thin mother-of-pearl disc and the hand-applied SuperLuminova in between.
The collaboration with Master knifemaker Anders Hedlund continues as he engraves both the sides of the lugs with a Viking knot pattern and the Damascus steel bridges of the movement. The movement bridges are manufactured from one solid piece of Johan Gustafsson’s artistic Damascus steel.
The finishing is done by Patrik Sjögren who has continued to further refine and develop the finishing of the Damascus steel movement since they were first introduced by GoS in 2012. The goal is to achieve a maximum contrast of the Damascus steel pattern and to combine
that with high gloss polished bevels.
Anders suggested to draw inspiration from Viking shield decoration and to fill the engraving with gold for maximum contrast to the Damascus steel. The gold-filled line is framed by recessed bevels. These bevels are also high gloss polished. The final finishing step reveals the pattern also on all high-gloss polished bevels and illustrate how the Damascus steel pattern continues through the material.
During 2018, Anders Hedlund received “Best in Show” award at the Solvang Invitational custom Knife show and also received the “Wooden Sword award” presented by the book “Knives 2018”. That award is widely regarded as an acknowledgement of being the worlds best knifemaker.
Premium tapered strap and Swiss-made deployant buckle in 18k gold
GoS watch straps are normally made from moose leather sourced by GoS but the strap selected for Skadi No.1 is a glossy black Alligator. However, we offer alternatives to further personalize the watch with straps in different leather qualities and stitching. The Swiss made deployant buckle is in solid 18k gold and the supplier ́s patented and elegant snap-lock mechanism has been proven to be flawless by major premium watch brands.
Price etc.
The retail price of Skadi is US$42.000+ applicable taxes. Further bespoke elements such as different strap materials or colours on request. The photos show No.1/5, which is sold while the other four are produced on order with estimated delivery in September (2pcs) and December 2020 (2pcs).
Further reading