(Numbered in pic) 1.Junghans, $1,030, from The Hour Glass. 2. Linjer, $385, from Kapok. 3. Daniel Wellington, $249. 4. Bering, $339. 5. Aldo, $89. 6. Aries Gold, $228, from H2 Hub. 7. Calvin Klein, $389. 8. Plain Supplies, $119.
We’ve binged-shopped at IKEA, at least once. Or ten times. We’d walk into COS at any chance (in Singapore, in Paris, in Melbourne. THREE YESSES), and to Kikki.K for that emergency fool-proof gift. Case in point: we’ve all subscribed to Swedish design more than we know and, well, it’s addictive. Why? One, it’s useful. Two, it can become best friends with just about anything. In fact, its clean, unpolluted function-dictates-design approach might as well claim cult status.
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So as a wave of Scandinavian timekeepers, whether inspired or original, have dominated the watch scene with a distinct look – dials washed clean and numbers now presented in lines – what’s not to get onto? Here, we give you all the reasons to nab these faces, and which ones to put on now.
It works hard for you
Image: The Memorandum/ thememorandum.com
There’s an urban myth that in the corporate world, the handshake is the defining moment: your five-second watch showdown happens, and you don’t want to lose points with a mismatched timekeeper. Don’t be that person.
Junghan’s Max Bill Automatic, from The Hour Glass
If you’re willing to make a bit of an investment to really wing this one (if your outfit also needs a check, read our guide to slaying the work look), put on a versatile Junghans. Its clean face is easy to match and its quality german make speaks for itself too.
and it likes the weekends as much as you do
Every Saturday’s different: maybe you’re ready to take on the sea of salted egg must-tries. Perhaps Joo Chiat’s instagrammable walls are calling your name. And then Books Actually pings you – the new book’s out. Hurry. Whatever the outfit, be it to match a wall or look good looking for a book, you’re going to want a good timekeeper to match up.
Image: pinterest
And where those Saturdays are concerned, Daniel Wellington’s reigned as the OG (the ‘original gangster’, for all you not-so millennials) of Scandis for its strap interchangeability – its NATO straps (fabricated in nylon) come in enough colour combinations for a hundred more outfit possibilities. Best part? Affordable price tag = no scrimping and saving necessary.
Once you’ve got your own Daniel Wellington timepiece, play around with a different strap: The Winchester, from Daniel Wellington stores starting at $49
The Canterbury, from Daniel Wellington stores starting at $49
It doesn’t third-wheel on your date get-up
Image: pinterest
No sticking out like a sore thumb – whether you want to impress him in a beautiful tulle skirt or little black number, a scandi timepiece is always a good formal option without being too try-hard.
Buy now: Plain Supplies’ Everyday Watch, $116
At local label Plain Supplies (it first launched on Kickstarter in January), 25 year-old co-founder and designer Poh Shen tells us why so many have already subscribed to his faces: “just like Scandinavian interior, we only took what was needed in a watch. In our case, just the two hands (they did away with the second hand) and an aperture.” Unpretentiously sleek. So good.
It’s a good traveller
Image: pinterest
However far you wish to go, the Scandi watch follows. And it doesn’t just follow, it matches whatever souvenir knick knack you’re going to pick up along the way, be it for your inner Coachella, English countryside or Bora Bora explorer.
Buy now: Larsson and Jennings from Net-a-porter
It loves your heirlooms as much as you do
Image: Pinterest
Whatever the #armparty, nothing takes precedence over your mom’s jade bangle or the bracelet from dad. And a Scandi watch knows not to compete with that; its discreet face that doesn’t steal the limelight, whilst adding a contemporary finish for everyday wearability.
Available at Bering stores
When choosing your timekeeper, keep in mind the colours of your heirloom piece. Is there gold hardware? Are there white undertones? Danish watchmaker Bering is a good place to start, with a range enough to match whatever you’ve got on your wrist.