The experience of time

Heritage

The art of manufacturing clocks and watches has a long and proud standing in Sweden. In the middle of the 19th century, for example, Victor Kullberg gained worldwide reputation for his marine chronometers and use of reverse fusée for maximum precision. During the same period, the highly creative entrepreneur Henning Hammarlund reinforced Sweden's position as a leading watchmaking nation, developing and improving various watch constructions.

Determined to carry the torch of this genuine legacy, Sjöö Sandström was established in 1986. The ambition was to intermingle time-honored knowledge with the kind of luxury that defines the Scandinavian peninsula – an extravagance that is not measured in abundance or material wealth, but which is rather about freedom, sensuality, and experiences in nature.

The result is a brand that takes Swedish watchmaking to a whole new level of exclusivity, embracing minimalism, simplicity, and functionality.

Green. Deep. And utterly profound. It is safe to say that the forest, with its silent tone and spiritual ambience, has played a major part in shaping the Swedish psyche and society. As well as the Sjöö Sandström brand.

Timing

Our story is a timely journey starting out in Stockholm in 1986. At that time, the two engineers and watch aficionados Christer Sjöö and Mikael Sandström visualized a bridge between tradition and technology. They asked themselves whether craftsmanship and high-tech innovation could symphonize in one single watch. And soon an idea was born. Honing their skills, they introduced the Automatic in 1993, an elegant handmade watch that went on to win the esteemed Excellent Swedish Design award in 1995.

The big break, however, came in 1997 with the introduction of the Chronolink Worldtimer UTC, a marvel of watchmaking ingenuity combining analogue elegance, electronic brilliance, and classic Scandinavian aesthetics.

Soon the word about the small but innovative and design-driven Swedish watchmaker spread across the world. And with increased prominence came enhanced expectations. We met this challenge by continuing on our quest to develop and introduce stunning timepieces to discerning users.

In 2011, we launched both Landsort and UTC Skydiver, two extraordinary watches that have played major roles in bolstering our position as an innovative watch maker. The first diver's watch ever designed and built in Sweden, Landsort is constructed to sustain the pressure experienced at 459 meters, the depth of the Landsort abyss, which is the deepest ravine in the Baltic Sea. Simultaneously, we also developed the UTC Skydiver in collaboration with Swedish fighter pilots. As the official timepiece of the Swedish Airforce, UTC Skydiver meets 35 strict military demands and requirements.

Three years later, we took a giant leap for Swedish watchmaking when we launched the Royal Capital, the achievement of an exclusive partnership between Sjöö Sandström and Vaucher Manufacture. This unique timepiece includes the Vaucher movement caliber 5400 and marks the first time ever that a Swedish watchmaker has been chosen to collaborate with Swiss perfectionist Vaucher, one of the world’s most renowned creators of exclusive movements.

Continuum

As explorers of time, we are in it for the long run. We see our brand as the prime carrier of the Swedish watchmaking tradition, and although we celebrate past achievements, our passion is to continuously renew ourselves. Challenging the routine, we aim to develop, create, and refine timepieces for future generations – watches that stand up to time over many decades. Ultimately, we are determined to ensure that the Sjöö Sandström brand will live and flourish long after we are gone.

Major moments

Automatic S1 1993
Automatic S1 is launched – the first wrist watch made in Sweden. Awarded with Excellent Swedish Design 1995.
Chronolink Worldtimer UTC 1997
The unique Chronolink is launched, combining a mechanical movement with the electronic watch.
UTC ORC 2001
Developed for the Volvo Ocean Race, designed to meet the extreme conditions in competitive sailing.
Royal Steel Classic I 2003
Royal Steel Quattro Lady 2005
Royal Steel Tonneau Gent 2005
Special edition 2006
In cooperation with Swedish architect Thomas Sandell, 100 watches were produced.
Royal Steel Chronograph Extreme 2007
Chronolink Swedish Night 2008
Extreme Gold Chronograph 2008
Royal Steel Classic II Lady 2008
UTC White Diamond 2009
Limited Edition 50 pcs. White Diamond on caseback.
UTC Black Diamond 2009
Limited Edition 50 pcs. Black Diamond on caseback.
Landsort 2011
Named after the deepest point of the Baltic Sea and developed in cooperation with divers from the Swedish Navy.
UTC Skydiver 2011
Made in cooperation with the Swedish Air Force, designed to meet military demands.
Royal Capital SS-1440-1 2014
Limited Edition to 250 pcs.
Royal Capital AU-1440-1 2014
Limited to 30pcs
Royal Steel Classic 36mm 2016
Royal Steel Wordtimer 41mm Limited Edition 2016
Limited Edition to 100 pcs.
UTC Skydiver Black Night 2016
Royal Steel Worldtimer 41mm & 36mm 2017
Royal Capital AU-1740-2 2018
Limited to 30 pcs.
Royal Capital AU-1740-1 2018
Limited to 30 pcs.
Anniversary Edition 2018 2018
When designing this 25th anniversary tribute watch, we felt the importance of combining our DNA with the roots of the very first watch from 1993, Automatic S1. Limited Edition 100pcs.
UTC Skydiver Titanium Limited Edition 2021
Limited to 100 pcs.

Engineering

Adhering to small-scale manufacturing and combining tradition, innovation and design, we honor the Swedish heritage of skilled watchmaking.

In our production facility in Stockholm, our watchmakers conceive, assemble and fine-tune each Sjöö Sandström timepiece. Their art and craftsmanship come alive in each precise measurement and in the strict quality controls and attention given to each step of the process, however complex the mechanism. Each Sjöö Sandström model is produced in exclusive made-to-order series and every timepiece is meticulously tested before release.

Read about manufacturing

Bespoke unity

Sjöö Sandström has for many years collaborated closely with various professional organizations in developing and designing bespoke timepieces for specific needs.

A great example is the UTC Skydiver, which was handcrafted in collaboration with the Swedish Air Force to meet 35 strict military demands and requirements. Launched in 2011, this unique timepiece has since been the preferred choice of not only Swedish fighter pilots, but also many other professionals with high demands on precision and durability.

Our bespoke watches are designed and manufactured by hand in our workshop in Stockholm. The watches are built to withstand the demands of, for example, high altitude or deep water and adorn the wrists of combat personnel and similar professionals around the world.

Swedish Air Force
The Swedish Maritime Administration
NMIT
Swedish Security Service
Reinforced Regional Task Force
SLA – Swedish Air Ambulance
HEMS – Helicopter Emergency Medical Service
Extreme Black Professional
Ascari