Gilbert Vintage Watch Collection

Dedicated to our master watchmaker, Gilbert O. Gudjonsson, who has over 50 years of experience in the field of watchmaking. We have named this collection: Gilbert "Vintage Watch Collection" in his honour.

Gilbert started apprenticing as a watchmaker at the tender age of 16 and soon discovered a real passion for the craft, often choosing to skip summer holidays and work long night and weekend hours in order to hone his skills. His passion for restoring timepieces to the highest level began early and soon he became an expert in the repair and restoration of vintage watches. 

Gilbert’s passion for vintage watches has never faded. He especially loves the look and style of wristwatches from the 1950's and 60’s and it’s from this enthusiasm that we draw inspiration for this collection. Wristwatches of that era were elegant and simple with a focus on one essential objective: an easy-to-read time. In those days everyone wore a watch, there was no other way to know the time.

The steel case of the Gilbert Collection moderate diameter size of 38.5mm, is striking yet timeless. It has a Swiss made mechanical movement “Execution Top” with automatic winding, 25 jewels, custom decorations, blue screws and has a rhodium plated finish. All of which can be examined in detail through a sapphire crystal case back. All decorations and craftsmanship is of the highest quality.  

Technical specifications

Movement

• Swiss Made Mechanical movement “Execution Top”

• Automatic winding

• 25 jewels, Custom decorations, Blue screws and Rhodium plated finish.

• 42-hour power reserve when fully wound.

• Fine tuning: “Assortment Chronometer”.

• Shock protection: Incabloc.

• Adjusted to five positions.

Case

• Material: Surgical grade German Stainless Steel "316L".

• Diameter: 38.5mm, height 10.0mm.

• Surface finish: Highly polished.

• Curved Sapphire Crystal with multi anti reflective coating on the inside.

• See-through Sapphire Crystal back.

• Water-resistance: 5 ATM.

• Lug width: 20mm.

• Lug to Lug length: 45mm

Dial

• White Matte with Arabic numerals.

• Galvanic Silver with Arabic numerals and Old Radium SuperLumiNova hour markers.

• Cream and black with Arabic numerals and Old Radium SuperLumiNova hour markers.

• Date display at six o'clock.

Hands

• Lancette style with flame blued finish.

• Syringe style with rhodium plated finish and Old Radium SuperLumiNova.

Strap

• Handmade 20mm Vintage Calf, Ostrich, Ostrich leg or Genuine Alligator with JS Watch co. Reykjavik buckle or optional deployment clasp.

• Steel bracelet also available.

Available straps for this model

Gilbert’s Vintage Watch collection - inspired by the story of the Dog day king.

The names of this collection—Adventurer, Liberator, and Dictator—are inspired by the extraordinary life of Jörgen Jörgensen, also known as Jörundur hundadagakonungur (the Dog Day King), who briefly declared himself the ruler of Iceland in 1809. His adventurous and rebellious spirit, as well as his connection to watchmaking, are what inspired the collection.

Adventurer

Jörgensen was born in 1780 in Copenhagen, Denmark, the second son of royal watchmaker Jörgen Jörgensen. His family was deeply involved in the craft, with one of his brothers being the internationally renowned watchmaker Urban Jürgensen. However, Jörgen’s path took him on a different adventure. At the age of 15, he left Copenhagen to sail the world, experiencing life as an apprentice aboard English ships and exploring distant lands like Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. His early years were filled with adventure and exploration, earning him the title Adventurer.

Liberator

In 1809, Jörgensen embarked on his most daring mission: liberating Iceland. Accompanying British merchant Samuel Phelps on a trading expedition to Iceland, Jörgensen found the island struggling under the Danish trade monopoly. Seizing the opportunity, he arrested the Danish governor and declared Iceland independent of Denmark. He appointed himself as the Liberator and sole ruler of the island, issuing proclamations and even designing a new flag for Iceland, featuring three white codfish on a blue background.

Dictator

Despite his bold proclamations, the people of Iceland did not rally behind Jörgensen as he had hoped. Life continued as usual for the locals, while Jörgensen's "army" consisted of only eight men, including a few prisoners and bored farmers. His rule, if it could be called a dictatorship, lasted just two months before a British ship arrived, freed the Danish governor, and ended Jörgensen’s brief reign. He was then arrested and returned to Britain for breaking his parole. This period of his life earned him the title Dictator, which he fully embraced with his ambitious, if short-lived, revolution.

The Watchmaking Connection

Jörgensen’s life may have been filled with adventure and rebellion, but his roots remained connected to the art of watchmaking. Coming from a family of highly skilled watchmakers, including his father and famous brother Urban Jürgensen, Jörgensen's story bridges both precision craftsmanship and daring exploits. This blend of artistry and adventure serves as the perfect inspiration for the Adventurer, Liberator, and Dictator watch collection.

The Legacy of the Dog Day King

Jörgensen's revolutionary reign took place during the high summer months, known as the "dog days," which is why he is remembered as Jörundur hundadagakonungur (Jörundur the Dog Day King). His adventurous life came to an end in Tasmania, where he became a well-known local figure before passing away in 1841.