From Fjords to Forearms: The Von Doren Vibe
- Simon McIntosh
- May 11
- 2 min read
Ever looked at a Swiss watch and thought, "This is great, but it lacks the soul of a Viking crossing the Atlantic in a lifeboat?" No? Well, Øyvind Von Doren Asbjørnsen did.
Founded in 2016 in the Art Nouveau capital of Ålesund, Von Doren isn’t just making "Norwegian-style" watches. They are bottling the dramatic landscapes of the Sunnmøre Alps and the sleek, organic curves of Norwegian architecture, then powering them with high-grade Swiss hearts.
It’s the horological equivalent of wearing a tailored suit while standing on the edge of a windswept cliff. Pure class, with just enough "don't mess with me" energy.
The Heavy Hitters: Which One Are You?
The URÆD - The Explorer. Named after the first covered lifeboat to cross the Atlantic (1904). A "liquid-metal" case design and a bidirectional sapphire bezel. It’s built for the high seas.
The Tandberg - The Retro-Audiophile. Inspired by legendary 1950s Tandberg radio designs. Features a dial that mimics vintage Hi-Fi equipment. Perfect for the guy who still buys vinyl.
The Grandmaster - The Tactician. Von Doren is the official timekeeper for Norway Chess. Elegant, understated, and built for people who think three moves ahead.
Il Tempo Gigante - The Racer. A high-end chronograph with a column-wheel movement. Designed to look like it belongs on the dashboard of a 1920s race car.
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Did You Know? (Trivia for Your Next Dinner Party)
The Lucky Number: Look closely at the Von Doren logo. See that little symbol? It’s the 12th Viking Rune, anciently believed to be a good luck charm.
Chess Royalty: Magnus Carlsen, the greatest chess player of all time, has been spotted with a Von Doren. If it’s good enough for the GOAT, it’s probably good enough for your Monday morning board meeting!
The Heirloom Spark: Øyvind started the company because he inherited his great-grandfather’s Swiss watch at age 12. He spent the next 40 years as a filmmaker before deciding, "Actually, I’m going to build a watch empire." Never too late, right?
What’s New for 2026?
We’re seeing the Runde Mark II hitting the wrists of enthusiasts everywhere. If you haven't seen the "Arctic Green" dial in person, you're missing out. It captures that specific, hauntingly beautiful colour of a Norwegian fjord under a winter sun. Not to mention the mesmerising colours of the Aurora Borealis.
Pro Tip: These aren't mass-produced. Most Von Doren collections are limited to a few hundred pieces. Once they’re gone, they’re gone—much like a sunny day in Bergen.
Stay Sharp. Stay Fearless. Stay On Time.
Cheers,
The Von Doren Enthusiast Team
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