Search

Esc to close

THE STORY OF
SJÖÖ SANDSTRÖM

Perfect timing

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

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

Swedish tradition
AND ENGINEERING

Sjöö Sandström is today one of the few independent watch manufacturers in the world and one of the most coveted brands. Adhering to small-scale manufacturing and combining tradition, innovation and design, we honor the Swedish heritage of skilled watchmaking. Each Sjöö Sandström model is produced in exclusive series and every timepiece is meticulously tested before release.

Our Milestones

▲1986

Sjöö Sandström
is founded

Sjöö Sandström Sweden AB is founded in Stockholm, Sweden by Christer Sjöö and Mikael Sandström.

▲1993

Automatic S1

Automatic S1 is launched – the first wrist watch made in Sweden. Awarded with Excellent Swedish Design 1995.

▲1997

Chronolink Worldtimer UTC

The unique Chronolink is launched, combining a mechanical movement with the electronic watch.

▲2001

UTC ORC

Developed for the Volvo Ocean Race, designed to meet the extreme conditions in competitive sailing.

▲2006

Special Edition

In cooperation with Swedish architect Thomas Sandell, 100 watches were produced.

▲2009

UTC Black Diamond

Limited Edition 50 pcs
Black Diamond on caseback

▲2009

UTC White Diamond

Limited Edition 50 pcs
White Diamond on caseback

▲2011

UTC Skydiver

Made in cooperation with the Swedish Air Force, designed to meet military demands.

Read more
▲2011

Landsort

Named after the deepest point of the Baltic Sea and developed in cooperation with divers from the Swedish Navy.

Read more

The birth of
a timepiece

This is the making of a Sjöö Sandström timepiece. Crafted by the devoted watchmakers in our workshop in Stockholm.

  • 1

    Design & development

  • 2

    Testing

  • 3

    Assembling the watch

  • 4

    Inspection

  • 5

    Customization

Design and development

A Sjöö Sandström watch consists of several hundred tiny parts. Some are sculpted or stamped from a block of metal, some are abraded and yet others are laser-cut. After each part is given its initial form, it undergoes numerous steps of refinement. Teeth are shaped in wheels, contours are shaved to within a micron, holes are drilled, etcetera. Before assembling the watch every single part is subjected to a thorough technical and aesthetic inspection. For example, any hand that appears to be parallel to the dial, but is actually bent by a few hundredths of a millimeter, is immediately removed and exchanged.

“Before assembling the watch every single part is subjected to a thorough technical and aesthetic inspection.”

Testing

All Sjöö Sandström watches are carefully tested before being signed off for mounting. Not only the rate accuracy, but also the amplitude and beat errors are calculated and analyzed using a state-of-the-art instrument. Only once all functional parts within the watch have been inspected, cleaned, calibrated, tested, analyzed, inspected again, re-calibrated, and mounted in a new watchcase, the rate accuracy deviation will have been brought down to a minimum.

The movements are decorated with the famous Côtes de Genève and polished screw heads. Then they are being crowned with an engraved, gold-plated Sjöö Sandström logotype. After final adjustments the movement is assembled in a unique steel case. Each watch from Sjöö Sandström is given an engraved number that provides the watch with a unique identification.

Assembling the watch

When mounting the dial and hands of the watch or inserting the movement, all steps are checked individually before starting the next. In some Sjöö Sandström models the movement is visible through an open case-back, in others it is hidden. When it is hidden from view we make a point out of decorating the movement to the same degree of perfection as when visible. The timepiece begins to emerge when the dial and hand are mounted in the case and positioned behind the scratch-resistant sapphire glass.

“The timepiece begins to emerge when the dial and hand are mounted in the case.”

Inspection

Using a magnifying glass under specifically designed lights, the dial and the glass are scrupulously checked for any traces of dust. A single grain of dust anywhere within this delicate composition could be detrimental to the watch’s accuracy and jeopardize its accurate functioning. The functionality of the pushers and the crown is also tested to ensure that form, function and feeling are perfect. And to ensure that all types of leakage are identified, the watch undergoes vacuum and pressure tests in a machine specifically designed to cater for water-resistant watches.

Before our watches are tested for precision timekeeping, they are set to the exact second using a radio clock. Mechanical watches are tested fully wound, as well as after twenty-four hours runtime. After testing for water resistance, the watch is fully rewound and its power reserve closely observed over a period of forty hours.

Customization
and service

Depending on model, a leather, rubber, or steel bracelet is mounted to the watch using special tools and individually adjusted links for optimal fit and durability. The new timepiece is subjected to a visual control, a thorough polishing, and a final control of all functions before it is packaged. The functionality tests include visual analysis of the hands, date window, pushers, crown, and hand-setting lever. The watch is set to the correct time and polished one final time before leaving the workshop.

Scroll to top