This is the first Swedish watch I have had the pleasure of reviewing. Most of us probably do not know there are quite a few watch companies from Sweden. They specialize in a fairly wide range of watch types including minimalist, chrono, sport, fashion and damascus steel to name a few. Like most good ideas, one or two people get the itch to develop their own watch brand, In this case, Sjöö and Sandström are the two engineers that began the company in Stockholm back in 1986. Their first watch model was introduced in 1993 and almost 25 years later the company remains an independent watchmaker that assembles, tests and inspects small quantities of their watches in Stockholm, using Swiss sourced movements.
In this particular case, the UTC Skydiver Black Night, is the official watch of the Swedish Air Force. The watch is a quartz analog/digital powered by a modified Swiss ETA movement. The watch is currently offered in four variations; stainless steel with stainless steel bracelet, stainless steel with a black rubber bracelet, stainless steel with a black alligator bracelet and black DLC with a black rubber bracelet. For this review, I have the model 020364, which is black DLC with a black rubber bracelet. From what I can determine, this model is the newest and coolest looking. It is a bit harder to read an all black watch, but the cool factor is undeniable. The watch is completely black, except where there is Superluminova and gray indices on the face and hands as well as the digital display and the company logo/model information. This watch will not attract attention in the dark, unless there are reflections coming from the slightly domed and raised sapphire A/R crystal.
The watch is a substantial 49.5mm in diameter (not counting the crown or pushers) and 16mm thick and measures 57.3 mm from lug to lug. It is 22 mm between the lugs and the strap tapers from 22 mm to 20 mm. The strap has one fixed and one moveable loop with an unsigned buckle. It’s outer surface is raised along the length and width of the strap from about 16 mm across to about 14.5 mm across near the strap ends. This gives the strap an almost padded leather look and it hugs my 7 inch wrist fairly well. The 120 click unidirectional gear edge bezel is completely black with engraved black numbers and indices , except for one Superluminova dot. With a 10 atm/100 Meter water resistance rating this indicates to me that this watch is not primarily for diving. The case back is held in with five screws while the crown is push/pull. DLC detailing and finish is exceptional on the case, bezel and the twelve round hole engraved case back. The two oval shaped pushers have a neat grippy grid pattern on them and the gear edge crown is nicely finished with the company logo as well.
The watch is capable of doing more than most watches with features such as day of the week, week of the year, month of the year, date, year, perpetual calendar, 2nd time zone, timer, chronograph, backlight, alarm and more. I haven’t checked it for accuracy but quartz watches of this type are usually close to perfect. As a far less expensive alternative to the Breitling Cockpit 50 ($8,500 in PVD!) or Chronospace Military ($5,915), the UTC Skydiver Black Night provides an exclusiveness and value rarely found in this type of watch. $2,744 through authorized retailers at http://sjoosandstrom.se/boutiques/. If not in your country, contact sales@sjoosandstrom.se
Bert Kanne is a freelance contributor to MBWW with a love for well made dive watches and chronographs. All photos by Bert Kanne unless otherwise noted.
