A beautiful hand-crafted timepiece of modern sophistication, the Byrja by Danish independent watchmaker Rune Bakkendorff is presented in a stainless steel and bronze 38mm case, and is powered by a superb hand wound vintage calibre, the Peseux 7001. A confident design from a rising star on the independent landscape, the watch captures the essence of Danish design through its crisp, minimalist styling, and will be limited in production.

A prodigious young watchmaking talent from just outside Copenhagen, Rune Bakkendorff has already an impressively accomplished CV. An award-winning graduate from the Danish School of Watch and Clockmaking, Rune’s designs are influenced by time spent in restoration, including both private and institutional watch and clock collections, and also by formative years working alongside the prestigious Master, Thomas Prescher, whose signature steampunk styling is referenced in the use of bronze and steel for the casing of the Byrja, an aptly titled timepiece that translates as ‘beginnings’.

The watch carries a casing of 38mm diameter, with a height of 8.5mm and is enclosed with a flat sapphire crystal, with an engraved solid caseback. Manufactured from stainless steel, both the case middle and the crown are of bronze, and the blend of the stark steel with the resplendent warmth of the bronze is superb. Styled to hold the casing perfectly flat on the wrist, the profile of the lugs is as minimalist as can possibly be, and they complement the simplicity of the case architecture.

The meticulous circular brushed finish of the casing continues onto both the bezel and the chapter ring of the dial, bringing the design language of the watch together wonderfully. Bereft of clutter, little dots serve to mark the hours and minutes, with the time indicated by hand-made titanium hands whose forms are inspired by traditional Scandinavian weaponry. Displaying a subtle recess, the brass centre dial is rendered with a frosted finish that instantly softens the appearance of the dial evoking warmth and texture in contrast to the pristine steel elements. And to finish, the provenance of the watch is placed on the lower dial, with a single sunken ruby giving equipoise to the arrangement.

Having discovered a small batch of new old stock Peseux 7001 manual winding movements, Rune set about restoring each to pristine order, giving his first series wristwatches a vintage heartbeat, and the inclusion of the classic calibre elevates the character of the Byrja. Beating at 21’600 vib/h, the movement has a power reserve of 42 hours.

A superb opportunity to acquire a first series timepiece from a new addition to the independent watchmaking genre, the Byrja by Rune Bakkendorff will be limited in production.