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In a bit of ironic timing, the Michelsen Arctic Explorer ($1,960) arrived on our doorstep on one of the hottest days of summer. Fresh off the plane from Iceland, the watch still seemed to bear the chill of its origins, lending a cooling effect to the dog days of August. Regrettably, we weren’t able to put the watch to the test of an Arctic (a.k.a. Minnesotan) winter. But the timepiece has passed muster in extreme environments on the wrist of Icelandic polar explorer Vilborg Arna Gissurardóttir, who wore one tied on the outside of her parka next to her compass while trekking solo to the South Pole — proving that it’s as capable exploring the Antarctic as it is living up to its boreal name. Having left the hard work to Ms. Gissurardóttir, we got to see how the Arctic Explorer stacked up on our not-so-frostbitten wrist.
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In name and target market, the Arctic Explorer immediately brings to mind a more famous watch built for intrepid adventurers, the Rolex Explorer II, which is as tough an act to follow as there could be. But the Michelsen is far from an homage timepiece; instead, it is a more affordable alternative for frugal watch buyers that want functionality and rugged panache without the $8,000 price tag of the Rollie. The Michelsen’s specifications are impressive: 100-meter water resistance, a sapphire crystal, a rotating 24-hour bezel and a nicely-finished ETA 2893-A2 Elaboré (upgraded) movement that is lubricated with special oils — ones safe to subzero temperatures far below those tolerated by tender human flesh.
Offerings from smaller brands often offer little in the way of individuality; the economics of running a small watch company necessitate using cases and components made and designed by third party suppliers that are often used by other brands. But while Michelsen is a small company, it’s well established — founded in 1909, it’s the oldest watch Company in Iceland — and prides itself on original design. While their movements are sourced from ETA, Michelsen’s watch designs are entirely original and assembly and quality control are all handled in Reykjavík. The result is a watch in the Arctic Explorer that doesn’t look like anything else on the market.
The timepiece has passed muster on the wrist of Icelandic polar explorer Vilborg Arna Gissurardóttir, who wore one tied on the outside of her parka while trekking solo to the South Pole.
These unique looks and impressive features are housed in a 42mm steel case that is a mere 11 millimeters tall, a size that’s refreshing in an era of overly thick sports watches. Its slim height and classic case shape are reminiscent of the sports watches of the 1960s, which proved their durability without being burly and oversized. The Arctic Explorer proved to be versatile enough for dressier wear, and its sane dimensions work on a variety of wrists. The mix of satin and polished finishes is nicely done, though we would have preferred an entirely matte-finished case.