Anders & Co continue the stone dial trend with a Swedish spin

Russell Sheldrake

Everyone knows by now that stone dials are everywhere. Yet they continue to have a death grip on us like never before, and the new Anders & Co AC2 models prove why. These smart dress watches bring a plethora of stones to the table, with some we are perhaps used to seeing by now, while there are others we hardly come across. Wrapped up in this shaped dress watch form and at an incredibly accessible price point, a lot is going for these new Swedish watches. While the brand Anders & Co might not be widely known yet, they have been hard at work curating this well-considered collection, and this latest instalment proves that they are attuned with what collectors want today.

The dial

This is where all the attention lies when it comes to this watch, and rightfully so. We have a selection of natural stones that make up the range, each one giving its own character to the watch. There are five different stones available: aventurine, turquoise, charoite, rubilite, and red agate. Bringing stone dials into a dress watch is nothing new, but I do enjoy the way Anders & Co has managed to elevate the natural characteristics of them by its use of sharp, dauphine hands, and equally pointed baton markers. With the only other obstructions on dial being a simple printed brand word mark, you get to enjoy the unique pattern found in your stone to the fullest.

There will always be a bit of a debate as to whether or not aventurine, specifically man-made aventurine, can be classified as a stone dial, but in my books, it still falls under the category, as the way it is produced, you will always get a unique dial at the end of it. The way in which you can create depth and sparkle with an aventurine dial will always astound me, and so to sit it alongside other mesmerising stones such as charoite only makes sense. While the red agate is only available with the Eastern Arabic numerals and a slightly higher price point, it certainly brings a lot of personality with it.

I am personally a big fan of the charoite dial and its hypnotic swirling pattern; there is nothing else like it in the watch world, and I feel like I could just dive straight in. Of course, the standout nature of turquoise will always draw looks, and given its rich history in watchmaking and beyond, it might be one of the most recognisable stones we use in our industry.

The case

This is certainly not a big case by any measure. With just 37mm in width and only 5.65mm in thickness, this is a small watch that still takes up a good amount of space on the wrist due to its shape. With a lug-to-lug measurement of 44.6mm there is little chance of overhang here but everything is sharp. The lines, the angles and the polish on the case is done with intent, to create a smart, dressy watch that allows those stone dials to shine. The cushion shape on these cases is something that we saw a lot in the 60s and it seems to be on the come back at the moment, with more and more brands choosing to opt for this softer form that rounds off a square and perhaps feels a bit more normal on the wrist if you are used to just wearing circular watches.

The movement

Inside, is the Miyota 9T22 quartz powered movement. This calibre was designed to keep watches as thin as possible and it also helps keep the price tag down on this model significantly. By removing the seconds hand there is no telling, from the dial side, that a battery is powering this watch. I in fact prefer a dress watch that has a quartz movement inside as it means I can get the thinness I want at a price I can afford and I don’t have to worry about it ever being out of sync, no matter how long I go between smart occasions to wear it.

The strap

All of these models come on a stamped croc leather strap, meaning you get that formal look for less, and it matches the look and concept of these watches perfectly. I would love to see what they look like on a mesh or even a beads-of-rice bracelet, but that might be for the next generation of this line.

The verdict

There is a lot going for these Swedish watches. A smart, squared, sharp dress watch that brings the natural beauty of stone dials to the fore. The considered approach to adding the various dial elements to it is a nice touch that doesn’t overwhelm the stone, but I believe adds to it. Of course, there will always be those who cry out for a mechanical movement in such a watch, but I wouldn’t count myself amongst that crowd. Would the watch be improved by the addition of a mechanical movement? Maybe. But it would be a different proposition, and there is definitely a large market out there right now for this exact style of watch at this exact price point.

The Anders & Co AC2 Volcán pricing and availability

The new Anders & Co AC2 Volcán stone dial models are available now directly from the brand. Price: £469, £535 (red agate model). 

Brand	Anders & Co
Model	AC2 Volcán
Case Dimensions	37mm (D) x 5.65mm (T) x 44.6mm (LTL)
Case Material	316L stainless steel
Water Resistance	30 meters
Crystal(s)	Sapphire front
Dial	Aventurine, turquoise, charoite, rubilite, red agate
Lug Width	20mm
Bracelet	Genuine leather, bronze pin buckle
Movement	Miyota 9T22, quartz
Power Reserve	N/A
Functions	Hours, minutes
Availability	Now
Price	£469 £535 (red agate)