Watch Assessment: Skagen X Soulland Grenen Chronograph

The time period “trend model” is one that’s all too regularly derided inside the watch group, and that’s actually a disgrace as there are many watches on the market which can be enjoyable, comparatively cheap, and — the horror! — trendy. Although all of us right here at aBlogtoWatch are responsible of gushing over multi-thousand greenback works of haute horlogerie, the actual fact is that there are many manufacturers creating fashionable, well-made watches for the lots which can be actually price taking the time to find. In its latest launch, Skagen absolutely embraces the time period, partnering with the über-fashionable Copenhagen-based design home, Soulland, to create the limited-edition Soulland X Skagen Grenen Chronograph.

Effectively earlier than the time period minimalism hit the mainstream, Skagen was drawing on the Danish affinity for minimalist design, producing slim, fashionable watches at interesting value factors. Established in 1989, Skagen was in some ways a staid and stylish distinction to the colourful, brash designs coming from Swatch. That’s to not say that Skagen doesn’t have its share of daring and playful designs, however relatively that its deal with traditional, slim watches with a minimalist aesthetic acted as an inexpensive quartz counterbalance, interesting to customers searching for one thing a bit extra refined and versatile, however nonetheless out there at an accessible value.

Over time, Skagen has embraced totally different supplies and applied sciences to supply watches that put on mild and comfortably on the wrist. Although maybe greatest identified for bringing titanium to the lots, the Soulland X Skagen Grenen Chronograph is crafted of chrome steel; nevertheless, the case is created from no less than 50% recycled chrome steel, a pattern we’d like to see extra watch manufacturers comply with. In what has turn into the model’s trademark aesthetic, Skagen additionally opted for hooded lugs on the case of the Grenen Chronograph, leading to a brief lug-to-lug distance of 46.5mm, which, when coupled with the slim 9mm case thickness, is one other element that enables the watch to put on slim and comfortably on the wrist.

The Soulland X Skagen Grenen Chronograph is offered in two colorways, a pure stainless case with silver dial and inexperienced leather-based strap or the blacked-out Midnight model reviewed right here. Other than the general stealth look, the design component that instantly stands out is the large rehaut. Certainly, the subtly sunburst rehaut is so massive that the minutes and seconds fingers even prolong previous the chapter ring and into the rehaut. Usually, fingers extending to this point could be a design fake pas, however that’s one of many nice issues about partnering with a design home like Soulland — you find yourself with designs that break the principles, creating an aesthetic that’s surprising. Now, whether or not this design alternative works for you is one other matter, however that’s the great thing about the watch — at $175 USD, you get guilt-free experimentation.

Per Skagen’s model identification, the Grenen Chronograph is as minimalist as a chronograph comes. There’s no brand or textual content on the dial in any way, solely a chapter ring and three subdials. The chronograph itself is powered by a Japanese quartz motion and also you get a little bit of a unique structure than you might be used to with one thing just like the Valjoux 7750. The central seconds hand is the working seconds, whereas the three o’clock and 9 o’clock registers present chronograph seconds and a 45-minute counter, respectively. The minutes, hours, and seconds fingers are all luminous, although the lume is weak and short-lived.

The Skagen X Soulland Grenen Chronograph comes mounted to a 22mm leather-based strap with a crocodile sample. In a pleasant contact, the strap is produced by Leather-based Working Group licensed tanneries. The leather-based is comfortable and cozy and attire the piece up a bit. That mentioned, the crocodile imprint appears a little bit of a mismatch to the in any other case sporty and aggressive aesthetic. Fortunately, the 22mm lug width implies that discovering another strap that fits your fashion shall be simple to seek out.

The Skagen X Soulland Grenen Chronograph exemplifies precisely why the time period trend shouldn’t be taboo amongst watch fans. For $175 USD, you get a trendy, attention-grabbing watch from two wonderful Danish manufacturers that pushes the design envelope, permitting you to experiment with your personal tastes and preferences. Solely 300 items of every colorway ar out there. For extra data on the Grenen Chronograph and different Skagen watches, remember to go to the model’s web site.

Vital Information
>Model: Skagen
>Mannequin: Skagen X Soulland Grenen Chronograph
>Worth: $175 USD
>Measurement: 42mm diameter, 46.5mm lug-to-lug, 9mm thickness, 22mm lug width.
>When reviewer would personally put on it: On an evening out within the metropolis, particularly as my outfits usually include grays and blacks.
>Pal we’d suggest it to first: College scholar searching for a trendy look ahead to carrying out that received’t break the financial institution.
>Greatest attribute of watch: Minutes and seconds fingers that reach into the rehaut.
>Worst attribute of watch: Crocodile imprint on the leather-based strap; reflective crystal.