Yes, we know, we can sometimes be a bit snobbish at MONOCHROME. We can’t help it, we love beautiful horology. We love high-end movements, complications and handmade decoration. This doesn’t mean we can afford them, though… So, sometimes we need a reality check and think about what most watch enthusiasts can afford, in real life. […]
Divers owe a lot to French naval officer Jacques Cousteau and his unrivalled contribution towards marine research. But they also owe a lot to watch manufacturers that create timepieces that pay homage to his pioneering work, like Nordic watch brand, E. C. Andersson. The brand has created the Calypso Denise watch – a dive watch […]
E.C. Andersson got its start via Kickstarter back in 2016 with the North Sea, a compelling sports watch with a cushion case and Seiko automatic. The North Sea II followed a year later with a similar aesthetic and better-regulated movement, but the brand’s new GL Kontra-Gauss GMT adds both Swiss mechanics and dual time zones […]
E.C. Andersson got its start via Kickstarter back in 2016 with the North Sea, a compelling sports watch with a cushion case and Seiko automatic. The North Sea II followed a year later with a similar aesthetic and better-regulated movement, but the brand’s new GL Kontra-Gauss GMT adds both Swiss mechanics and dual time zones […]
Nordic winters are harsh and E.C.Andersson’s Denise line of affordable dive/tool watches is designed for these northern conditions. The “all-season tool watch” has received a winter makeover based on the arctic design concept seen on the previous Calypso Arctic Sport. That piece was a rugged tool watch with a dressier vibe and a light grey/white […]
Few are the microbrands that have genuinely convinced us, but E.C.Andersson is definitely one of them. This Scandinavian watch company has created several interesting, well-executed sports/tool watches, including North Sea II and Calypso, which combined a cool design, solid cases and overall accessible prices. Today, the brand is releasing a new model named Denise, a watch that they see as an “all-season tool watch”, or a dive watch that can be brought onshore for exploration.
Let’s make things clear! When Frank founded MONOCHROME over 12 years ago, the main objective was to create “an online magazine dedicated to fine watches”. That meant the celebration of traditional, high-end watchmaking. However, we are very much aware that most of our readers can’t afford such pieces and we are very much aware that accessible, down-to-earth, good price/quality watches are important. Yet, lower prices often mean lower quality – but not for us.
For this reason, we will publish several price-oriented buying guides until the end of the year, listing our favourite watches of 2018 – thus, each will be able to find the right watch according to his budget. Starting today, here are our 10 best watches of 2018 priced under EUR 2,000 – and well below that for some of these watches! And because you’re reading MONO, they are, of course, all mechanical timepieces. Believe it or not but “enamel dial”, “in-house movement”, “chronometer” or “annual calendar” are even part of this buying guide!
It isn’t the first time that we talk about E.C.Andersson on MONOCHROME – and for valid reasons. Indeed, the Swedish micro-brand has arguments in the “value proposition” category. Good designs, great quality/price ratio, attention to details… This was true with the North Sea II, later followed by the brand’s vision of a sports watch, the Calypso. In order to be even more competitive, E.C.Andersson recently introduced the Calypso Sport (with a Miyota movement in lieu of the ETA calibre). Completing the collection, this watch is now offered with a new dial and an appropriate Arctic look.
A few months ago, we told you about the new Calypso Premium timepiece from Swedish micro-brand, E.C. Andersson, which at the time was seeking funding on Kickstarter. After a very successful campaign, the company is back with a new model in the Calypso range, called the Calypso Sport. Pitched as an entry-level model in the Calypso family, it offers many of the same aesthetic touches as its elder sibling but with a few variations to keep the price a little more wallet-friendly. Available now for pre-order on the E.C. Andersson website, we thought we’d take a closer look at what you get for your money.
A few months back, we got our hands on the North Sea II, the primary watch from Swedish micro-brand E.C. Andersson. A robust and attractive watch, it was itself based on the original North Sea, the first model of the brand, which it had successfully funded on Kickstarter in 2016 and then quickly sold out of. Now, the company is back with their next model, the Calypso, the production of which it is also funding on Kickstarter. Described by the brand as their first “true high-end watch”, it has already reached its funding goal with 15 days still to go. We decided to take a closer look to see what all the fuss is about.