In Review: The Skagen Square Dial “Strand” Watch

Skagen “Strand” Square Watch – $135.00

“Round round get a-round I get a-round yeah”

– The Beach Boys

And so does everyone else when it comes to affordable watches. There just aren’t a lot of other dial options being made for the sub $200 watch market. Square, rectangular, cushion case… forget it. 95% of those that are being made with a different case shape are beyond gaudy. “Oh, you want a watch that’s got something other than a round case? LET’S GET NUTS!“

So applause for Skagen, who recently released this square dial option dripping with… nothing. Just their modern, understated design.

Very suit worthy, and doesn’t look cheap when dressed up.

It’d be hard to call a Skagen design “classic”, but combine the Danish minimalism with a square face & slim trapezoidal case, and you end up with something that has an art-deco look to it.

Completely suit worthy. The blue tipped seconds hand is a nice touch. There’s no texture to the dial, other than the fact that the outer ring square is slightly elevated above the central field.

Construction specs aren’t real impressive. Japanese Quart, mineral crystal, and a measly 30m in water resistance. But it is super lightweight. So for those who don’t like having some cinder-block strapped to their wrist all day, it’s got that classic Skagen feather-feel. The “genuine leather” band is also par for Skagen’s course. Really light weight. Still soft and flexible. Just not something wildly nice.

No date function, just a super clean dial. Blue tipped second hand is a nice detail.

Don’t be freaked out by the 35 mm case measurement. True, each side measures 35mm, but thanks to geometry it wears larger due to the diagonal (corner to corner) measurement. Bottom line: Squares & Circles… are different, and this thing wears like a watch in the 40-42mm range.

Can’t seem to find these anywhere for less than the full price of $135. Usually once a Skagen model hits Amazon or a discount watch retailer, they’ll get at least some kind of price cut. For now, at least it ships & returns free through Nordstrom for $135.

Skagen knows slim.