There are few brands, boutique brands, or even well-known watchmakers hailing from Scandinavia. However, during Baselworld, two of them are launching new timepieces that do more than just dazzle us with interesting mechanics. They also entrance with color and spectacularly interesting design.

Nordic Seasons Gold by GoS (image courtesy Björn Dahlgren)

GoS (Gustafsson and Sjögren) is a Swedish boutique brand combining the talents of watchmaker Patrik Sjögren and world-renowned bladesmith Johan Gustafsson. Even if GoS is not technically exhibiting at Baselworld this year (but rather joins Urwerk, Rudis Sylva, Moser & Cie, and Hautlence on the third floor of the Ramada), the duo introduces a stunning new version of the Nordic Seasons.

The distinctive Damascus steel of the GoS Nordic Seasons movement

Aside from its stunning visuals, which are dominated by this brand’s signature stainless Damascus steel visible on the case and the automatic movement’s rotor, this Nordic Seasons contains an authentic technical debut: a C.O.S.C.-certified caliber made with Gustafsson’s high-contrast Damascus steel based on a hand-wound Technotime TT718 movement boasting five days of power reserve.

Gustafsson makes the dial using two different Swedish steels forged together and folded so that they reach a whopping 192 layers before the bladesmith utilizes his personal techniques to steer the emerging pattern, which in this case resembles a wildflower.

The crown of the GoS Nordic Seasons Gold (image courtesy Björn Dahlgren)

The 43 x 10 mm case is created using metals that seem like opposite ends of the spectrum: Gustafsson’s high-contrast stainless Damascus steel and 18-karat red gold. The former extends to the crown, which is filed extensively in the best knife-maker tradition by Gustafsson, who has added nine indentations, a symbolic number in Norse mythology. In addition to adding reflections and therefore a renewed appreciation for the Damascened pattern, the filing also improves grippability.

Nordic Seasons Gold by GoS (image courtesy Björn Dahlgren)

The applied gold dial elements, including the index ring, triskelion (the rotating disk displaying running seconds), and solid 18-karat red gold hands are all made by hand in Sjögren’s workshop using Swedish Boliden gold.

All GoS products are fully customizable, and every watch comes with a five-year guarantee.

For more information, please visit www.goswatches.com. And if you plan on going to Baselworld, don’t miss GoS on the third floor of the Ramada hotel.

Quick Facts GoS Nordic Seasons Gold
Case: stainless Damascus steel hand-forged by Johan Gustafsson and 18-karat red gold; 43 x 10 mm, filed 9 mm crown in hand-forged stainless Damascus steel
Movement: modified manually wound Technotime TT718
Functions: hours, minutes, sweep seconds
Dial: stainless Damascus steel, 192 layers
Price: $39,000

Like their aurora borealis namesake, Sarpaneva’s Korona Northern Lights emit a variety of vivid colors

Finnish watchmaker, goldsmith, and designer Stepan Sarpaneva captures the essence of Nordic life in typically celestial manner, but this time complete with an aurora borealis of sorts that emits a wonderful glow.

I find Sarpaneva’s fascination with the moon fascinating in itself: the 18-karat white or red gold lunar satellite we see peering up at us from the depths of the dial is in actually an engraved stylization of his very own face.

Korona Northern Lights Violet by Sarpaneva

The new Korona K01 Northern Lights includes both Sarpaneva’s signature moon face and another of his characteristic elements: the blued, stainless steel grille. The big novelty on this watch, though, is the innovative use of Black Badger advanced composite, a proprietary lume material with incredible glow power and interesting range of color.

Like their aurora borealis namesake, Sarpaneva’s Korona Northern Lights emit a variety of vivid colors

Veering from Sarpaneva’s usual blue tones, the Korona K01 Northern Lights is available in purple and green as well as his preferred blue thanks to the dial being completely crafted in the composite lume material, which is not just a thin coat of paint, but an actual hard composite substance.

The new watch comes in a larger 46 x 12 mm Korona-style case designed to loosely resemble a corona (crown or halo) of light.

The brightly glowing lume of Sarpaneva’s Korona Northern Lights Violet

Visit Sarpaneva in Hall 2.0 during Baselworld or go to the brand’s website www.sarpanevawatches.com for more information.

Quick Facts Stepan Sarpaneva K01 Korona Northern Lights
Case: stainless steel, 46 x 12 mm
Movement: modified automatic Soprod A10
Functions: hours, minutes, sweep seconds; moon phase
Dial: Black Badger proprietary luminous advanced composite covered by blued steel grille
Limitation: 8 pieces each in blue, violet, and green
Price: € 14,500 without tax