Gustafsson & Sjögren presents a new model for Baselworld 2014; called Bifrost Isblå it is the first one in the new Bifrost collection. GoS watches as they are known for short are well known for their use of Damascus steel and is a partnership between master bladesmith Johan Gustafsson and watchmaker Patrik Sjogren.
Their watches are unique creations which have been inspired by the beauty of northern Scandinavia and the ancient Swedish tradition of metallurgy. They are numbered in sequence and every Bifrost model is a limited edition of 25pcs and will be followed by further color themed models.
This new Bifrost Isblå model features Johan Gustafsson’s newly developed “high contrast” stainless damascus steel which is intended to capture the blue colours that can be revealed in thick ice. The tempered Damscus steel dial uses natural light to generate dynamic colours, just as a rainbow appears only when light shines through the moist air. Bifrost is the poetic name of the sacred rainbow bridge in Norse mythology. The rainbow bridge was thought to connect the earth (Midgård) and the realm of the gods (Asgård).
The “high contrast” Damascus steel was developed in Autumn 2013 and creates a more defined pattern as well as enhancing details. The skill of creating pattern-welded steel is limited to just a few bladesmiths and Gustafsson has developed it to a level where he can produce the same sort of dense and expressive patterns in his new stainless damascus steel as when he is working in carbon based steel.
This new steel is used in both the case and rotor of the new Bifrost collection. The oscillating weight of the rotor is hidden due to the design of the case and case back, but the movement and “triskele” damascus steel rotor can be seen. The “triskele” is a triple blade shape based on a symbol found in ancient Nordic and Celtic mythology.
The hands of the Bifrost Isblå have the GoS sword shape first introduced with the Stockholm model and are made of solid white gold and are hand finished and polished as are the index rings. It is presented on a black nubuck strap and the matte surface of the strap blends nicely with the case’s damascus steel finish. The straps are handmade and fitted with screwed lugs and come with a stainless steel GoS buckle.
The Gustafsson & Sjögren Bifrost Isblå No2-No8 will be available for delivery in June 2014
at an approximate retail price of US$12,600.
Gustafsson & Sjögren Bifrost Isblå – Technical Specifications
Case:
- Stainless steel and stainless “high contrast” damascus steel 42.5mmx9.5mm (5ATM),
- “High contrast” stainless damascus steel, high gloss polished with GoS logo engraved on case side,
- Case back finished with circular grains,
- Lug width: 22mm.
Movement:
- Swiss automatic – Soprod A10,
- Finished with circular Geneva stripes and specified to chronometre grade,
- GoS symbol damascus steel rotor,
Glass: Flat sapphire glass with AR coating
Dial: Solid damascus steel tempered to an ice blue nuance, Index ring/rehaut: Solid 18K white gold
Hands: Solid 18K white gold shaped and polished by hand
Crown: 8mm in finegrained stainless damascus stainless steel, double gasket crown inset
Strap: Handcrafted soft nubuck leather, fitted with GoS stainless steel buckle
Limited Edition: 25pieces
