While we’re not supposed to play favorites as watch reviewers, we all have brands and models that we are made unreasonably happy when news of a new version hits our inboxes. For me, one such brand is from Sweden, Sjöö Sandström. Their Worldtimer has been a watch I’ve worn – and traveled with – more than any other watch in my collection. So, it was to my great delight when I learned that the Sjöö Sandström Annual Edition 2023 was none other than a refresh of the Worldtimer.
Why I like the Sjöö Sandström Worldtimer
As you can read in this review, it’s a watch that checks a lot of boxes for me. Proportions are spot-on (41mm diameter, 10.7mm thick, 50mm lug-to-lug), it’s got my favorite complication (a GMT hand, powered by a “caller” movement), and, well, it just looks great. My personal watch is very conservative in styling – grey dial in a steel case on a steel bracelet. That all said, it is perfect for my tastes, how I like a watch to fit, look, and the functionality it provides.
Why I like this version
So, yes, the grey dial is clean, classic, and conservative. When I was figuring out which one to get, however, I was torn. I almost went for the orange dial for it’s boldness (and this was before they also offered the excellent blue version), but decided against it as I already had a Seiko Orange Monster. Well, now the Sjöö Sandström Annual Edition 2023 has me triple-guessing myself.
The big hit of orange of course comes from the included rubber strap, which is a nice bright pop of color (and if that’s too much, you’ve also got a black rubber strap available). The real star of the color show – for me – is on the dial. Here, you’ve got a new textured dial blank done up in white, on top of which you’ve got applied (and we presume, luminous) numerals, with the handset and 24-hour markers also picking up that orange.
It’s a look that has a bit of a vintage feel, but not so heavy-handed that it feels overdone. Oh, and the fact that they’ve made the date disc a white-on-black gives some more contrast, and further marks out this model as a special edition.
What else is different?
Now, a lot of this watch is the same – same case size and dimensions, same movement, and the like. Of course, there are the aesthetic changes with the coloration, going from indices to numerals, going to a solid caseback, and so on. The other significant difference to this version is one you may not even notice at first. For the Sjöö Sandström Annual Edition 2023, the fixed bezel is made of tungsten, rather than steel. Why tungsten? It’s done in honor of Carl Wilhelm Scheele, an 18th Century Swedish chemist who discovered tungsten oxide. On the watch, it will give you a little bit of a different look and feel, and that additional “hidden” feature for the owner to enjoy.
How can you get a Sjöö Sandström Annual Edition 2023?
If you want to get a Sjöö Sandström Annual Edition 2023 for yourself, do note that there are only 86 of them being made (a nod to the founding of the brand in 1986). They’re available for 29.800 SEK, which is about $2,840, direct from sjoosandstrom.com
Tech Specs
- CASE: Ø41 mm Stainless steel.
- CASE-BACK: Unique “annual 2023” case-back.
- GLASS: Scratch resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating.
- DIAL: Grey
- BEZEL: Tungsten
- BRACELET: Orange and an extra black rubber with folding buckle.
- WATER RESISTANCE: 10ATM (100 meters)
- MOVEMENT: SS G16 Automatic movement (Swiss Made)
- RRP: 29.800 SEK
Author Expertise / Author Experience
Patrick Kansa
A big data developer and leader with a penchant for gadgets, books, watches and beverages. You can find my work on WristWatchReview. If you’re on Twitter and/or Instagram, you’ll find me there as @PatrickWatches.
