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Stretching along Sweden’s westernmost edge, from the beautiful city of Gothenburg to the Norwegian border is the Bohuslän coast; an extensive archipelago studded with 8,000 islands and skerries. There you’ll find the picturesque village of Bovallstrand.
A higgle-piggle of distinctive wooden houses cluster the shoreline, there are inlets for swimming, rocky beaches to rest on, and nearby, ancient monuments left by Stone-Age settlers. It is here in this beautiful place that three brothers decided to start a watch brand.
Swedish Roots With Italian Influence
Andreas, Mikael and Johan Christensson
Mikael, Andreas, and Johan Christensson spent their summers there as children and, as adults found themselves there again, thinking about how to create a watch brand that didn’t do things by the book. The result was Waldor & Co.
For the aesthetic, they drew inspiration from their Swedish roots but flavoured with a touch of Italian influence that they took from Southern Europe. To keep things democratic on the price front, the brothers decided to sell direct to consumers through the brand’s website; a move which also allowed them to communicate directly with the people buying their watches garnering honest feedback and creative input, which informs every part of the business from the design to the aftercare.
Timeless Yet Contemporary Quality
Waldor & Co. is an alluring combination of Scandi minimalism and Italian allure. The designs, which have names such as Amalfi, Como, Porto Cervo, and Capri, have a timeless yet contemporary quality about them.
Dial clutter is kept to a minimum – probably the busiest model is the Avant 39 Eze but even that still feels clean. The styles range from classic diver on the Cap d’Ail to the elegant lines of the Conceptual 37 Cap Ferrat. It is a brand with which you could easily satisfy all your watch wardrobe.
In keeping with the Christensson brothers’ pursuit of the best, movements have been sourced from Seiko, Miyota and, occasionally, Ronda. For the former, they have made the interesting decision to opt, in some of their designs, for a mecha-quartz, or hybrid, movement – one which combines the accuracy of a quartz movement with elements of a mechanical one like the smooth sweep of a seconds hand and chronograph settings. The Miyota, which is a subsidiary of Citizen, is used for the automatics, while the Ronda is also quartz.
Top three Waldor & Co. watches chosen by Ape to Gentleman
Chrono 39 Porto Cervo Ltd Edition
Salmon dials have been gaining in popularity recently and this is a fabulous example as to why. It’s a great way to add an unusual colour to your collection, without going full Pepto Bismol pink.
The vintage elegance of this shade is enhanced by the telemeter-style outer ring and the slightly Art-Deco-esque numerals. The glossy sunray of the dial is complemented by the matte light brown leather of the strap.
There is a bracelet option, but the leather feels more in keeping with the overall design. The case is 39mm and powering it is the Seiko VD32 Hybrid. Salmon does conjure up “last days of summer” however, this watch is so great, you’ll be wearing it until New Year.
Continual 39 Amalfi, £599
Dress watches, as the name suggests, used to be the formal choice in a man’s wardrobe; one to be worn only with dinner suits or tailoring. As we don’t dress for dinner anymore, the dress watch has been liberated, allowed out during the daytime. This is a classic of this type.
Both strap and dial are the same colour, here the traditional black. There is a lovely bit of contrast white stitching for interest matched by the white Roman numerals and, thankfully the dial isn’t spoiled with a date window.
As should be the case with dress watches, this is an automatic, powered by the Miyota movement you can see through the case back. It’s refined, simple, and will take you effortlessly from boardroom to bar.
Chrono 44 Sardinia
For a multipurpose option, look no further than the Chrono 44 Sardinia which boasts a 44mm stainless steel case that exudes strength and sophistication, while the captivating dial, available in various colours, reflects the breathtaking landscapes of Sardinia.
This timepiece is not only visually stunning but also highly functional, featuring a chronograph function, date display, luminous markers, and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. The mesh strap in Rhodium-plated 316L stainless steel strap adds a touch of luxury and comfort, making it the perfect companion for any occasion.
With its Swiss-made Seiko VK64 Hybrid movement, the Chrono 44 Sardinia ensures precise timekeeping, making it a timeless choice for those who appreciate style and performance in their wristwear.
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A paid partnership with Waldor & Co. – words, opinion and watch choices are Ape’s own.
