JS Watch Co. Reykjavík

JS Watch Co. Reykjavík (established in 2005) is an Icelandic watch manufacturer based in Reykjavík, Iceland. It is Iceland’s first and only watch manufacturing company.

History

JS Watch Co. Reykjavík was founded in 2005 in Iceland by a team of watchmakers and designers: Sigurður Gilbertsson, watchmaker; Grímkell Sigurþórsson, designer; Júlíus Heiðarsson; and Gilbert Ó. Guðjónsson, a master watchmaker.

The company launched its first collection shortly after its founding, which sold out within six months. Its initial market was primarily domestic, but the 2008 Icelandic financial crisis and the subsequent collapse of the Icelandic króna posed significant challenges. However, a surge in tourism to Iceland in the years that followed helped revive interest in the brand, particularly among international visitors

Currently, JS Watch Co. remains a family-operated business. Watchmaker Sigurður Björn Gilbertsson and designer Grímkell Sigurþórsson oversee the company’s watchmaking, design, and marketing efforts. Master watchmaker Gilbert O. Guðjónsson continues to be actively involved, and in 2024, the third generation joined the company when watchmaker Gilbert Arnar Sigurðsson became part of the team.

Design and Manufacturing

JS Watch Co. Reykjavík specializes in classical, limited-edition mechanical watches. The design and final assembly of each timepiece are conducted by hand in Reykjavík. The company sources components such as cases, dials, and movements from manufacturers in Switzerland and Germany. It primarily uses Top Grade Swiss movements sourced from Swiss movement manufacturers including Soprod, Sellita, and ETA, which are adjusted in five positions to achieve a daily rate deviation of no more than +4/-4 seconds. All watches are produced in small quantities and undergo rigorous quality control.

Notable Models

• 101 38mm: A classic dress watch with a 38mm stainless steel case, with either black or white dials, Roman or Arabic numerals, and various straps including ostrich, alligator, or stainless steel. It features a Swiss automatic movement and a sapphire crystal case back.
• Frisland: Combining vintage design with modern mechanics, this line includes the Frisland Classic and Frisland 1941.
• Frisland Goð: A special edition featuring a dial made with volcanic ash from the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption, representing Iceland’s geological features.
• Islandus: Inspired by Icelandic heritage and aviation, this collection features models such as the Islandus, Islandus 1919 and Islandus Dakota, each with a distinct historical reference and reliable mechanical movement.
• Islandus 1919: A 44mm pilot’s watch commemorating Iceland’s first air show.
• Islandus 45 Years Anniversary Edition: A limited-edition timepiece celebrating Gilbert Ó. Guðjónsson’s 45-year watchmaking career. It includes a hand-decorated Unitas movement and guilloché dial.
• Sif N.A.R.T. 1948: A professional diver’s watch created in collaboration with the Icelandic Coast Guard. It is water-resistant to 1,000 meters and features shock protection and luminous markers. This model is named in reference to the “Cod Wars” period and reflects the resilience of Icelandic maritime history.
• Gilbert Vintage Collection: Honoring the legacy of master watchmaker Gilbert Ó. Guðjónsson, this series features classic mid-century design elements. Notable models include the Vintage Liberator and Vintage Adventurer.

Special Editions and Collaborations

JS Watch Co. has produced limited-edition models for the Icelandic national football team and Icelandic visual artists.

Reception

JS Watch Co. Reykjavík has received international attention, with its timepieces worn by several prominent public figures and celebrities, including Viggo Mortensen, Tom Cruise, Quentin Tarantino, Jude Law, Ed Sheeran, Gordon Ramsay, Nick Cave, Jeff Daniels, Kit Harrington, Dennis Quaid, Tobey Maguire, Ben Stiller, Lewis Black and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

The company has been featured in Raw Bible, a publication highlighting luxury niche brands, New York Times,

CNN and is part of the Watches of Scandinavia initiative, which promotes notable watchmakers from Nordic countries.