Scandinavian design is often a byword for high quality and minimalist aesthetics, which is evidently something that Swedish brand Waldor & Co. are channelling in their latest wristwatch, which combines both effortlessly. I wouldn’t blame you for not being aware of Waldor & Co. at Oracle Time we tend to focus on mechanical watchmaking rather than quartz and until now, Waldor & Co. have been quartz specialists. Now though, they’ve launched their first automatic timepiece, the Continual 39 Amalfi – so let’s find out more.
First off, the brand was founded in 2012 by a trio of Swedish brothers, Mikael, Andreas and Johan Christensson. In fact, the founders recently took a trip to the place where the three of them first found artistic and creative freedom, the picturesque village of Bovallstrand on the west coast, reconnecting with the ideas that led to the founding of Waldor & Co. The photography from that trip with the trio out on the sea looks more like the Med than the North Sea, and you can easily see how it would inspire a serene, minimalist design aesthetic.
Speaking of design, the Waldor & Co. Continual 39 Amalfi features a 39mm (of course) diameter case in stainless steel with polished top surfaces and brushed flanks. It’s a very understated round design with a smooth bezel and a knurled crown with a rounded end. On top of looking great, the case has a 100m water resistance rating so it’s on the more robust side within the dress watch category.
The display is incredibly smart. The dial itself is split into two levels with a recessed central disc and raised ring around the edge for the Roman numeral hour scale and railway minute track, adding a nice sense of three-dimensionality. You can tell that it’s definitely Scandinavian minimalism rather than German minimalism with a less is more approach vs the rigid tenets of Bauhaus.
Of course, what’s particularly important about the Waldor & Co. Continual 39 Amalfi is its movement, the brand’s first automatic. Specifically, it’s the Japanese Miyota 9093 with 42-hour power reserve, which is visible through the open exhibition caseback. For a debut automatic movement, it’s a solid choice and makes a lot of sense, especially as it helps keep the watch accessible where some Swiss calibres carry a price premium.
As for that accessibility, the Continual 39 Amalfi is priced at £599. For a classy dress watch with an automatic movement, you couldn’t really ask for more. I think the important thing to remember is that while this is Waldor & Co.’s first automatic watch, they aren’t a fresh faced microbrand stepping into the industry for the first time. They’re veterans with over a decade of experience in watch design and that experience shows in the precision and class with which the Continual 39 Amalfi has been executed.
Price & Specs:
Model: Waldor & Co. Continual 39 Amalfi
Case/dial: 39mm diameter x 11.2mm thickness, stainless steel case, double layered brass dial
Water resistance: 100m (10 bar)
Movement: Miyota calibre 9093, automatic
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 42h
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Strap: Stainless steel mesh bracelet or leather
Price/availability: £599
More details at Waldor & Co..
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