• Swedish Craftsmanship Behind Bernadotte & Kylberg's New Furniture Collection

    Written by Fashion Tales

    The design studio Bernadotte & Kylberg was founded in 2012 by Carl Philip Bernadotte and Oscar Kylberg and has since created designs for leading Swedish and international brands such as Hästens, Skultuna, Gärsnäs, Georg Jensen, Stelton, Zwiesel and many others. The portfolio contains a very multifaceted and wide range of different design objects and projects: from beds, chairs and other furniture, to glass, crockery, vases and candlesticks, glasses and jackets. In recent years, the studio has also worked with destination design, among other things it created the highly acclaimed A Midsummer Night's Dream suite at the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi, and recently also presented a new hotel collaboration with Eriksberg Hotel & Nature Reserve.

    Bernadotte & Kylberg design philosophy is to create unique and sustainable design with a strong focus on maximum user benefit as well as a high degree of design.The duo sees it as their task to, through new textures, materials and techniques, question how we use and look at an object - and thus create innovative designs that last for generations.Among other things, Bernadotte & Kylberg has been awarded the TableWare International Award of Excellence and the Red Dot Award in the category “High Quality Design” for its Aquatic collection for Stelton and the German Design Gold Award for the Signum collection for Zwiesel. In autumn 2023, the studio launched its own brand Bernadotte & Kylberg, whose first collection consisted of luxurious scarves, scarves and throws in the finest silk and wool. In 2024, the range was expanded with exclusive handcrafted furniture and brass products.
    This autumn, the Swedish design brand Bernadotte & Kylberg is launching an exclusive range of premium furniture. At the same time, the first addition to the new collection The Tulip is introduced, in the form of a tea light holder in the finest brass.All the new products are made in Sweden from carefully selected Swedish materials, in collaboration with some of Sweden's leading craftsmen and producers.

    We are very happy about the fantastic reception that our first collection of textile products has received both in the Nordics and internationally,
    says Carl Philip Bernadotte in a press release.”

    For the Eriksberg collection, the duo has drawn inspiration from the timeless beauty of nature that surrounds Eriksberg Hotell & Safari Park in Blekinge, where Bernadotte & Kylberg recently designed all the interiors of Arken, a prestigious, newly opened hotel building in the area.
    To create the new furniture, the duo carefully selected exclusive Swedish materials such as solid oak, brass and bishop diabase – a rare and fascinating rock that was formed during some of the Earth's most dramatic volcanic eruptions between 900 and 1,500 million years ago.
    The collection is carefully designed and produced in Sweden, making each piece of furniture a unique, carefully crafted piece of craftsmanship that is created to last for generations.

    www.bernadottekylberg.com

  • image courtsy of Hasselblad Center

    To the Moon and Back

    Written by Art Editor

    This year’s Book Fair in Sweden is all about space, a perfect backdrop to celebrate some of the most iconic photographs in history—those first steps on the moon. They were all captured with a Hasselblad camera. The camera not only gave us stunning images of the moon, but it also showed us Earth in a way we’d never seen before.

    “The exhibition is a short, four-day event, available during the Book Fair in Gothenburg. Don't miss it if you happen to be there!

    You’ll get to see some historic NASA photos, actual moon cameras, and learn about the fascinating story of Erna and Victor Hasselblad. Plus, we’ve got contemporary photo artists showcasing their own visions of space in all kinds of creative ways. The exhibition dives deep into our ongoing fascination with the moon—its beauty and how it reminds us of our smallness in the vast universe. We’re also shining a light on the historical exclusion of women in astronomy, as well as raising questions about the role of photography and truth during the 1960s space race. There are also works that explore today’s goals of using the moon to monitor Earth. 

    Hasselblad: Then and Now
    The Hasselblad  story all started with Victor Hasselblad’s grandfather, Arvid Viktor Hasselblad, who in 1885 secured the rights to sell George Eastman’s photography products in Sweden—later known as Kodak. Victor Hasselblad took things further, creating the famous Victor Hasselblad AB company with his wife Erna. Both were nature lovers, and Victor was one of Sweden’s first bird photographers. It was this passion and the need for a high-quality, flexible camera that led to the development of the Hasselblad camera in the 1940s—the world’s first medium-format camera with interchangeable parts.”

  • A Conversation with Frédéric Bondoux: Steering Grand Seiko's European Expansion and Balancing Tradition with Innovation

    Written by Jahwanna Berglund

    As the CEO of Grand Seiko in Europe, Frédéric Bondoux has played a pivotal role in expanding the brand’s presence across the continent. With a background in luxury watches and extensive experience managing international markets, Bondoux brings a unique perspective to one of Japan’s most prestigious watchmakers. In this interview with Odalisque Magazine, he reflects on his journey to Grand Seiko, shares his vision for the brand's future, and discusses how the company balances tradition with innovation while navigating an increasingly competitive luxury watch market.

    Can you share some highlights of your career journey and what led you to become the CEO of Grand Seiko?

    FB: I studied business administration in Lyon, France, and began my career with Omega in Switzerland, managing a part of the Asian market. After several years, I returned to France to lead Omega's French affiliate, where I stayed for 15 years. Later, I transitioned to L’Ochy, and through an interesting twist of fate, a former colleague who had joined Grand Seiko in the U.S. reached out to me. Grand Seiko was looking for someone to establish its European business, and given my experience with Japanese management, it was a natural fit.

    Can you share your vision for Grand Seiko over the next five to ten years? What key initiatives are you focusing on to achieve this vision?

    FB: Our focus is on positioning Grand Seiko as a brand that resonates with the new generation of luxury consumers. While immediate sales growth is important, the long-term goal in Europe is to build a lasting brand identity that appeals to younger customers. At 18 or 20, people are full of dreams, and we want Grand Seiko to be a brand they aspire to own when they can turn those dreams into reality.

    To achieve this, our primary focus is on the quality of the product. You can have the strongest marketing and campaigns, but if the product doesn’t live up to expectations, success will be short-lived. The lasting emotional connection that our products create with customers is key to our vision for the future.

    ​​What has been the most challenging aspect of leading Grand Seiko, and what achievement are you most proud of during your time?

    FB: I oversee Grand Seiko's operations across Europe, managing 20 territories with 16 different languages, 15 currencies, and nearly 20 local regulations. It's a complex environment with 110 high-end product sales, which presents unique challenges.

    The most important thing, however, is that success is impossible without a strong team. Building something meaningful starts with hiring the right people. To succeed, you need to bring in individuals who excel in their fields, often better than yourself. If you surround yourself with talented and brilliant people, you’ll succeed. That’s the foundation I’m most proud of establishing.

    Grand Seiko is known for its Spring Drive technology. Are there any upcoming innovations or enhancements in this area that you can share with us?

    FB: Yes, Spring Drive technology is truly unique. It took over 24 years to develop into the final product, with more than 600 patents and around 2,000 prototypes. The project began in 1974, and the first prototype was completed in 1988.

    Spring Drive is special—it’s a hybrid movement that doesn’t quite fit into traditional categories like quartz or mechanical. It’s something entirely different, and as we continue to innovate, Spring Drive will remain a key focus of our product development. While I can’t share specifics on what or when, new movements and features are definitely in the works.

    What do you see as the most significant trends in the luxury watch industry today, and how is Grand Seiko positioned to capitalize on these trends?

    FB: The luxury watch industry has evolved to where many brands, while excellent in their craftsmanship, have become more symbols of social status than purely timepieces. Their strong heritage and prestige have contributed to this perception.

    However, I believe a growing trend will be the rise of niche brands that focus more on the true art of watchmaking. This shift won’t replace the existing landscape but will add a new layer of appreciation for authentic craftsmanship. In this space, Grand Seiko is well-positioned to thrive. With our dedication to precision, innovation, and craftsmanship, we have a strong voice and a great opportunity to capture the attention of these discerning consumers.

    How does Grand Seiko balance the fine line between innovation and preserving traditional watchmaking techniques?

    FB: It's quite simple—we embrace a harmonious blend of modernity and tradition. Our foundation is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and heritage, where the pursuit of excellence drives everything we do. This commitment to being the best pushes us to invest heavily in research and development, which serves as our gateway to modernity.

    For example, our recently launched movements, such as the UAB movement and the new Spring Drive, reflect this balance. We've also introduced the Evolution 9 collection, designed specifically to engage younger generations. In this way, we create a seamless link between our historical roots and the future, marrying tradition with innovation.

    How do you see technological advancements, such as smartwatches, impacting the traditional watch industry, and what is Grand Seiko’s strategy in this context?

    FB: It's clear that we need to capture more wrist real estate, so to speak. However, smartwatches present an opportunity rather than a threat, especially because they target younger consumers. Once people become accustomed to wearing something on their wrist, they may eventually seek out something different, like a luxury timepiece. When that time comes, Grand Seiko is perfectly positioned to meet their needs with our craftsmanship and timeless appeal.

    How do you see the Grand Seiko brand evolving in the global luxury watch market, especially in the context of increasing competition and changing consumer preferences?

    FB: Currently, there isn't a truly global Japanese luxury brand—most are European, especially French, Italian, and English. Grand Seiko has a unique opportunity to fill that space, while also preserving the craftsmanship and “savoir-faire” of our talented artisans. Many traditional crafts are fading because there’s no one to carry on the legacy. We aim to preserve and showcase these exceptional skills, like our dial makers who create stunning designs inspired by nature—each one truly unique.

    With careful and modest effort, I believe Grand Seiko could one day become at the top as one of the global luxury brands from Japan. Our team in Europe is dedicated to contributing to this vision.
    I recall when we opened our boutique in Place Vendôme, Paris, just after the first lockdown. People were cautious, but the demand was clear. That day, a young man from Dubai, working in finance, visited the store. Though he owned other luxury watches—Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre—he didn’t have a Grand Seiko. After trying one on, I told him, “If you buy this, you’ll be our first customer at this boutique.” He did, and now each time he comes to Paris, he proudly tells his friends about being the first Grand Seiko customer in Place Vendôme. Moments like these mark the beginning of our journey toward becoming a global luxury name.

    In Stockholm, Sweden Grand Seiko is represented at Nymans Ur 1851 and Krons Ur.

    www.grand-seiko.com
    www.nymansur.com

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