Bravur’s New Geography GMT Watch Artfully Balances Form and Function
When Magnus Äppelryd and Johan Sahlin launched Bravur in 2011, they set out to create something different. Specifically, the Stockholm-based cofounders wanted to break away from what so many watch companies hold up as an ideal lifestyle-spending more time around yachts, jets, and race cars wasn't exactly at the top of their to-do list. Instead, Äppelryd and Sahlin decided to focus on the things that spoke to them as residents of Stockholm: art, design, music, and culture in general. Turns out, that makes for a damn good-looking watch.
The brand's BW003 model was the first flagship, a 39mm automatic with a fluted case and a tool watch-inspired dial. Hand-built in Sweden, it houses a Swiss-made Sellita caliber SW300-1 movement. The Scandinavia followed, a minimalist dress watch made from Swedish steel and also housing a Swiss movement. On both, the tagline "Swedish Soul, Swiss Heart" sits in minimal font at the six o'clock position.
Now, Bravur has introduced its most complicated model to date: the Geography series GMT. Like the Scandinavia it's made from Swedish steel and powered by a Swiss automatic movement, but unlike its forbears, it's designed with the avid traveler in mind. A secondary hour hand shows the time in another zone, so you can keep an eye on the time at home when you're halfway across the world. Each watch is individually numbered, built to order, and can be finished with custom engraving before it's shipped to you (if you so desire).
Even if you don't actually need the GMT feature, though, the Geography is just a great-looking watch. The minimalist dial is finished with applied indices, the 24-hour interior dial isn't obtrusive, and the subtle sunburst on the outer portion gives the thing a vibe that nicely balances form and function. At $1,650, it's certainly an investment-level piece, but considering you're benefitting from direct-to-consumer pricing-and some serious construction and design bonafides-it's an investment that'll pay off.
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