Today I would like to talk about a Swedish watch brand unlike any other. If I say Damascus, Vikings and luminescence, you will probably recognize GoS. Before presenting one of their models, I will revisit this bold project that has become a brand recognized and praised by collectors and the watch community over the years.
GoS Watches, or Gustafsson & Sjögren, is a high-quality independent Swedish watch manufacture based in Linköping, Sweden. GoS is renowned for its work with Damascus steel and its unique dials. Its watches often draw on Nordic heritage. It all began with the meeting in 2007 of Johan Gustafsson and Patrik Sjögren, who come from diametrically opposed worlds. One is a bladesmith working amid the incandescent clamor of his forge, the other a watchmaker whose workshop is, by comparison, a haven of calm. It is hard to imagine a sharper contrast, and the result of this unlikely union is revealed in every GoS watch.
Patrik Sjögren was born in Linköping, about 200 km south of Stockholm. He grew up in this small town where there were always many small artifacts from the Viking era. With a master’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering, Patrik Sjögren pursued a professional career at Sectra as a security engineer, software developer and security investigations engineer until 2024. His specific expertise in the medical field and in IT security gave him a keen eye for detail and an unwavering focus. In parallel with this first career, in the early 2000s he also completed a program at the Swedish School of Watchmaking, where he earned the highest distinctions. He then obtained Swiss WOSTEP certificates before returning to his home country to found his own watchmaking atelier, where he still works today.
Scandinavian nature and history are major sources of inspiration for GoS watch design. In countries near the Arctic Circle, the Northern Lights have illuminated the sky with their mesmerizing dance since time immemorial. It was Galileo, the most famous astrologer in history, who in 1619 named them “Aurora Borealis,” in reference to the Roman goddess of dawn and the Greek name for the north wind. For centuries they were shrouded in mystery and legend. The Sami, an Indigenous people of Sweden, believed the Northern Lights were the souls of the departed and held magical powers, and any show of disrespect would bring punishment. The Vikings also saw great mystery in these lights, convinced they descended to escort heroic warriors fallen in battle to their creator, Odin.
Patrik Sjögren wanted to bring this symbol into his watches, notably with the Aurora model. Then in March 2021 he presented Norrsken. The result of a collaboration with Mikael Kenlind, James Thompson and Jochen Benzinger, and powered by an exceptional Swiss manufacture movement from Schwarz Etienne, Norrsken remains one of the brand’s most remarkable creations. Now it is time to introduce the fuchsia iteration of this model.
Table of Contents – GoS Norrsken Fuchsia
What are the features of the GoS Norrsken Fuchsia?
Case
The GoS Norrsken Fuchsia has a 5 ATM water-resistant case that combines stainless Damascus steel for the fluted mid-case and bezel with polished stainless steel for the short curved lugs, the crown, and the caseback. It measures 41.5 mm in diameter, 12.1 mm thick at center thickness (8 mm at the edge), and 49 mm lug to lug. It can appear a little substantial yet it hugs the wrist well. Smaller dimensions would be difficult given the dial work and the movement used, two elements discussed below.
A quick cultural note. Damascus steel, also called pattern-welded steel, has been used for more than a thousand years and likely emerged independently in several civilizations. Metalworking has a long history in Sweden, and the Vikings were among the first to develop pattern welding for superior swords. Heat forging and quenching to achieve a martensitic structure provided the hardness required. Layering two different steels created a primitive composite, allowing Viking swords to be longer and sharper.
At GoS, Damascus steel results from a labor-intensive process where at least two steels with distinct properties are repeatedly heated, folded, cooled, and hammered by the master bladesmith to form a multi-layer billet before it reaches Patrik Sjögren. He then applies acid baths, further heating, grinding, and polishing to reveal the unique patterns and colors of the metal. No two parts can be identical, so every GoS component is inherently unique.
The case construction uses these different metals to clearly define each section, which is visually engaging. Viewed from the side, you see a curved bezel, tapered lugs, and a sculpted crown shaped like a Viking sword scabbard. The crown uses a double gasket to limit shocks and internal corrosion. This ensures that Damascus parts and other movement components made from similar steel, such as the winding system, are never exposed to moisture. The characteristic irregular finish of Damascus steel gives the watch a distinct signature. The overall case profile also recalls a sword pommel just before the grip.
Dial
The GoS Norrsken Fuchsia features a hand-guilloché dial cut in the traditional way on a nineteenth-century rose engine by the renowned Jochen Benzinger, a seasoned master of guilloché. Based in Pforzheim, the historic heart of German jewelry, Mr. Benzinger produces very fine work seen on watches from Habring², Andersen Genève, and Christiaan van der Klaauw.
With a wave motif inspired by the Northern Lights that rises from the bottom to the top, the dial captures the glow of fuchsia lights swirling in the Nordic sky. For time indication, Patrik Sjögren designed and made polished hands inspired by the iconic Viking spearhead, a form he collects in his atelier. The small seconds at six o’clock takes the form of a triskelion, an ancient symbol of pre-Christian Europe.
The Northern Lights are a natural luminous phenomenon that appears in the high latitudes of our planet, with the southern counterpart known as the aurora australis. They occur when energetic particles from the Sun strike the upper atmosphere at high speed. Earth’s magnetic field deflects these particles, including electrons and protons, which then emit light in different colors, often as undulating trails across the sky. It is a magnificent sight that I was lucky to observe in northern Canada.
One useful detail. Achieving the final dial color can take up to half a day per dial for Patrik Sjögren. Another key element sits above the dial. A hand-sculpted and hand-blown glass chapter ring, introduced by the brand in 2019, encircles the dial. This glass form is rarely seen outside Sweden. It is made by Mikael Kenlind, a fifth-generation Swedish glass master who works under the Vas Vitreum name. The ring is secured by twelve tiny mounting points that act as hour markers and also as shock absorbers to reduce the risk of damage.
The ring integrates a Super-Luminova insert created by James Thompson of Black Badger, a Göteborg-based specialist in luminescent materials. Working closely with RC Tritec, the maker of Super-Luminova, he produced a solid Badgerite insert, a proprietary resin infused with Super-Luminova, placed behind the glass ring. Lume is also applied beneath the ring facing the dial surface to improve index legibility. The result is a powerful floating fuchsia glow that lights the entire dial in the dark. This illumination method avoids electronic or high-tech lighting concepts that do not fit GoS, which favors traditional handcraft.
Movement
The GoS Norrsken Fuchsia houses the automatic GoS03 micro-rotor movement based on the Schwarz Etienne ASE 200, also seen at brands such as Atelier Holgur. It is modified to GoS specifications with a bespoke GoS escape-wheel bridge, hand-polished bevels, a laser-engraved triskelion on the ratchet wheel, and a notable replacement of the original micro-rotor by a Damascus steel rotor matched to the dial’s fuchsia tone.
The micro-rotor sits flush with adjacent bridges, reducing movement height and opening the view of many finely finished components. Fully wound, the watch runs at 21,600 vibrations per hour and provides an impressive power reserve of at least 86 hours.
Strap
The GoS Norrsken Fuchsia comes on a robust black salmon-leather strap made by an artisan in Stockholm. It closes with a stainless Damascus steel pin buckle bearing the triskelion logo. The strap is comfortable and aligns with the watch’s identity, offering a thoughtful alternative to traditional alligator or calf that might have altered the overall character.
What is the price of the GoS Norrsken Fuchsia?
The GoS Norrsken Fuchsia is produced in limited numbers and is offered from €19,500 excluding VAT up to €25,000 excluding VAT depending on options. The price is well supported by the level of craft and handwork invested in each component.
GoS Norrsken Fuchsia: a watch that celebrates craft and legend
The GoS Norrsken Fuchsia gathers a great deal of expertise and is rich in detail, which is exactly what gives it charm. I am not usually drawn to this type of watch, since I tend to prefer more classic pieces. After a deeper look, I understand the enthusiasm around these models. The DNA is recognizable and the know how is real, which creates a coherent whole. The hand forging of Damascus steel gives each piece its own character and personality. The mix of raw Damascus steel and bright polished accents is another GoS signature I enjoy.
Patrik Sjögren shapes cases, crowns, dials, hands, and even movement parts from his special steel. Through heat and acid treatments he draws out exceptional colors, patterns, and depth from the Damascus. With their contours and the almost wood like grain of hand forged Damascus, GoS watches capture the influence of a rich Nordic culture and the beauty of the natural world that surrounds it. Every piece is unique because the process behind Damascus steel always yields a singular result.
For collectors who seek exclusivity, GoS makes between 15 and 25 watches per year. The workshop also offers fully hand made bespoke pieces that let owners personalize patterns and colors using a broad range of Damascus techniques. Whether in limited runs or made to order, GoS Watches delivers a rare meeting of art and innovation. Patrik Sjögren has been the sole owner of GoS since Johan Gustafsson’s departure in July 2021. The company has undergone significant changes, giving Patrik the chance to reshape the business on his own terms. The arrival of another Swedish master of Damascus steel, Conny Persson, secures continuity and preserves the use of Damascus steel, a true pillar of the GoS identity.
Conny masters traditional Damascus work and also specializes in mosaic Damascus, which will add an extra dimension to GoS watches. He has exceptional knowledge of materials and forging methods that create striking three dimensional motifs. His talent and passion earned him the “Blade of the Year” award in Norway in 1996, only five years after he began working with Damascus. Three years later he received Best Damas Design at the Blade Show in Atlanta in 1999. To date he has received eleven awards across eight years of active exhibiting before choosing to devote more time to his family.
The Norrsken steps away from mainstream watch trends and even stands apart within the increasingly competitive independent scene. My thanks again to Patrik Sjögren, whom I met during Dubai Watch Week 2025. I enjoyed his approach to watchmaking, which I find atypical and truly unique. These watches remind me why we love horology, for its creativity and for the stories and messages a watch can carry. I wish Patrik Sjögren every success and hope he keeps the flame that has driven him from day one to push himself with each new project.
GoS Norrsken Fuchsia – Watch Specifications
- Brand: GoS
- Model: Norrsken Fuchsia
- Case Material: Stainless steel with optional Black Damascus case ring and/or Damascus steel bezel
- Dial: Silver dial handturned by master Jochen Benzinger, machined and finished by Patrik Sjögren
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Small Seconds
- Movement: Schwarz-Etienne ASE 200 with GoS-specific modifications and finishing, Self-Winding, 21’600vph frequency (3Hz), 33 jewels and 199 parts
- Power Reserve: 86 Hours
- Water Resistance: 5 ATM
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Caseback: Sapphire
- Case Dimension: 41.5 mm (Diameter) × 12.1 mm (Thickness)
- Strap: Black Salmon leather Made in Stockholm with Stainless Damascus Pin Buckle
- Retail Price: €19,500 (excluding VAT)
Did you already know GoS watches? Did the artistic language of this model speak to you? Share your first impressions in the comments.
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