Ever since man learned how to tell time, there has been a fascination with various timepieces around the world.
The watch, as we know it today, evolved during World War II. Before and during that era, people used to carry pocket watches to help tell the time. However, during the war, it proved to be too cumbersome to have to continually pull it out of your pocket just to see what time it was.
The soldiers thought of a novel idea: why not attach that pocket watch to a bracelet and strap it on to your wrist? It looked rather clunky, but it achieved what it intended to quite well. With a simple glance at their wrist, a person could tell what time it was. In the thick of war where telling the time was crucial, this was most helpful.
After the war, this battlefield innovation quickly spread. The "watch that could be worn on the wrist" was soon adopted by manufacturers and brands. And so, the modern wristwatch was born.
There was considerable freedom in picking the type of material that was used in the watch’s strap. While soldiers before were only limited to pieces of string or such, manufacturers later introduced a whole slew of materials. From stainless steel or plastic and rubber, different types of bands abound.
This gave the watch the critical distinction of becoming a status symbol for both men and women. For years, owning a watch was seen as something to show your prestige and accomplishments. That's because watches before used to cost a fortune, and only the elite few could afford them.
Having a watch also meant you were a man of class that deserved respect. It shows you’re a professional how values his time, and therefore also knows the value of other’s time as well.
The Nordgreen Promise
Nordgreen is a watch company that views it a little differently. Yes, we agree that watches are a classy accessory that should signal your style and personality and reflect your accomplishments.
We believe, however, that it doesn’t need to cost a fortune. That anyone can afford to buy a luxury watch without shelling thousands of dollars on it. That’s why we made it our mission to introduce only watches for men and women that sell for $500 or less.
Don’t think for a second, however, that our watches are cheap. Far from it! Inexpensive doesn’t always mean cheap. In our case, the way we achieve this is by focusing only on what's essential, a mantra echoed by our lead designer, the ever famous Jakob Wagner. We both utilize the Scandinavian principle of "hygge," a design principle that favors simplicity more than anything else.
This aesthetic is reflected in every part of every watch we do, from the dials down to the straps. By using beautiful interchangeable bands, we can reduce the number of watch models we manufacture, while still providing plenty of style options for consumers.
There is an inherent beauty in simplicity, and stainless steel watch bands are a perfect example of that.
Nordgreen Stainless Designs
All of our watches, from 18mm to 22mm, all have the option of using a stainless steel band. The woven, interlocking nature creates a very durable construction. Yet, it also exudes a sense of class and sophistication, a timeless design in today’s modern world.
The stainless steel mesh bands come in varying lengths from 32mm to 42mm. The best thing is that it comes in a variety of colors and designs as well that works well for both men and women.
The silver color is one of the most classic and flexible designs out of our stainless steel band range. When you think of stainless steel bands, chances are this is what you'll have in mind. It's flexible enough to be used in almost all situations and works equally well in men's dress watches as well as sports watches.
Gunmetal is a darker shade of the silver band. It has the same usefulness and flexibility of silver, but has an edgier, "cooler" to it. A lot of men prefer to use this for more formal affairs, and the color goes amazingly well with a black suit or tuxedo.
The Black Stainless Steel strap takes the edginess to the extreme. This is a strap option that’s mostly used with casual outfits. It lowers the classiness a bit but replaces it with a ton more attitude.
Gold is a symbol of wealth and elegance, and it’s the same with this Gold Stainless Steel band. This one works particularly well with women’s watches, but we find men can easily pull this one as well. It’s definitely a showstopper that will make everyone take a second glance at you.
Finally, for the ultimate in feministic style, go with the Rose Gold Stainless Steel band. This beautiful, sophisticated hue gives a touch of softness and elegance to any female wrist. It’s the perfect companion accessory to a long gown or cocktail dress.
Watch Bands for Men and Women
How do we achieve our promise of keeping our watches at $500 or less? It's simple; we just minimize the number of designs that we do. By not having to maintain dozens of models, we significantly reduce the number of spare parts we need to have in or inventory. This costs less money, and we pass on the savings to you.
That's why we also opted to provide interchangeable straps for all our watches. This allows you to take just four watch models and produce a hundred different combinations with it. You'll never run out of style options ever again.
All of our watch and watch bands still follow the design principle of our lead artist, Jakob Wagner. Our watches exude luxury without being loud and tacky. This minimalistic approach works well to both lower the price and creates stunning pieces. A win-win situation, if you will.
Using minimalistic materials and designs, however, doesn't mean we skimp on quality. On the contrary, the minimal design means we get to focus more on the overall quality of every watch we design.
To that end, we only use high-grade materials in all of our watches. For example, the movement parts in our watches are created in collaboration with Miyoto. They are one of the most well-known names in Japanese watchmaking.
Everything from the battery to the glass dial itself is top-notch. Yes, even our bands are also made of the best materials on Earth.
Our Watch Band Designs
The problem with most watch brands is they treat their watch straps as more of an afterthought. They focus so much on the watch dial and movement parts itself, and just use whatever cheap material for the strap.
This is a mistake that we never do for Nordgreen. After all, the strap is still a visually significant part of the watch, and therefore needs to be treated with the utmost attention.
We have a total of four designs for our watch bands, each with totally different materials. They come in a variety of sizes, like 18mm and 20mm.
Of course, you’re already familiar with our stainless steel mesh bands. It indeed provides a modern look while giving superior durability to your strap.
If you’re after a timeless look, however, you shouldn’t look further than our Italian leather strap. It’s made with only the best quality leather that creates a very soft and elegant finish on the skin. This strap is quite comfortable, yet it is surprisingly durable that it should last you for years with proper usage.
If you’re committed to helping Mother Nature, then you’ll want to source all of your products only from plant sources. Our Vegan Leather strap is certified 100% cruelty-free, made from synthetic leather that does zero harm to the environment. It’s full of elegance, yet is environmentally responsible at the same time.
Lastly, for a more casual look, the rubber strap is a go-to band. It's perfect for withstanding the rugged, harsh outdoor environments. This makes this band great for taking with you when hiking or traveling.