One of the great things about being in the world of watch reviewing is building relationships with the folks behind the brand, as well as getting word of upcoming things that they have planned. Patrik Sjögren (of GoS) and I have been corresponding for some time, and we’ve gotten to peek behind the curtain, as it were. Their latest, the GoS Sarek Ice Blue takes their recognizable designs and paints it in quite a lovely shade of blue. Oh, and also presents variants for both men and women.
The first time we saw GoS take things in a blue direction was back in 2012, with Nordic Seasons Winter model. Then, in 2014, blue came back again in the Bifrost. Each time, there have been refinements in the tempering process GoS is using, and now we come to the GoS Sarek Ice Blue, which represents what five years of tinkering and adjustments can net you in the tempering process.
As it turns out, five years allows you to do quite a bit. There have been a number of women’s models that GoS has released in that time, but they’ve never quite been coordinated with the men’s watches. Well, that changes now. This time, you’ll have both the 31.5mm (9mm thick; 40mm lug-to-lug) women’s watch and the 43mm (10.5mm thick; 50.5mm lug-to-lug) men’s watch with very similar looks. Yes, they’ve got different cases (similar to what we’ve seen on prior models), but in many other respects the watches are the same.
For starters, both watches have the same Soprod A10 movement tucked into their case. On the reverse, you’ll be able to see the GoS triskele rotor with it’s German silver counterweight, along with an “Ice Blue” engraving (which, rumor has it, may end up with a touch of luminous paint as well). On the dial side, well, you’ve got that stunning etched Damascus steel that gives you all the whorls, patterns, and colors you could hope for. Of course with the GoS Sarek Ice Blue, the main color at play is blue.
On the GoS Sarek Ice Blue, the men’s version picks up a detail that has been more prominent on the ladies watches previously – the hour indices. These are done with a ring that runs around the edge, and there are semi-circle cutouts at the hours, allowing you to see down to the patterned dial through those holes. Should make for some interesting plays with the light as well.
I’ve made no secret of the fact that blue is my favorite color, and that I am supremely intrigued by Damascus steel. GoS has found a nice aesthetic niche, and they have kept iterating and improving their designs. The $9,500 GoS Sarek Ice Blue is definitely a stunner, in either version. One wonders, now, what we might see in another five years down the road. goswatches.com
- Brand & Model: GoS Sarek Ice Blue
- Price: $9,500
- Who we think it might be for: You’re not about to slap on a wild shirt, but going crazy with a pattern on your wrist is in your wheelhouse
- Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen? Budgetary concerns aside – indeed I would – I’ve long been a fan of what GoS has been producing.
- If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: You know, I’m not really sure what I would suggest – this design, as a whole, looks spot-on to me
- What spoke to me the most about this watch: Blue for miles
- Case: 43.0mmx10.5mm (5ATM)
- Lug width: 22mm
- Glass: Domed sapphire glass with double sided AR coating, extra hard on outside
- Movement: Soprod A10 with GoS triskele rotor, dark satinized and additional counter weight in German silver with “Ice Blue” engraved.
- Dial: 164 layered steel Damascus steel with either Wildflower or Sarek pools pattern. Ice Blue colors which are achieved through a heat tempering process.
- Index ring/rehaut: Two layers that combine previous GoS design with inspiration from viking bracelets.
- Hands: GoS spear shape in high gloss polished Rhodinated finish
- Crown: GoS design in high gloss polished with satinized grooves. 7mm in diameter and with double gaskets.
- Case finishing: Stainless steel, worked and finished with inspiration from viking bracelets.
- Strap: Handcrafted Moose leather and fitted with stainless steel GoS buckle.
- Every watch engraved with “Sarek 1/1” to indicate that every watch is a unique piece in addition to a serial number and “Ice Blue” on rotor.
- Five-year guarantee
- Delivered in handcrafted presentation box in Walnut, made by Kanevad wood artists in Linköping.
