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When people think of Danish watches, they often picture clean lines, slim profiles and uncluttered dials. Two brands are mentioned again and again when it comes to minimalist Scandinavian watch design: Skagen and Bering.
Because these brands share a similar aesthetic, price point and design philosophy, they are frequently compared. Over the years, we’ve sold and serviced watches from both brands in our UK jewellery stores, so this guide is based not just on specifications, but on real-world experience.
If you’re trying to decide between Skagen vs Bering watches, this article will help you understand the key differences — from materials and movements to longevity and everyday wear — so you can choose the watch that best suits you.
Why Are Skagen and Bering Watches So Often Compared?
At first glance, Skagen and Bering watches look remarkably similar. Both favour:
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Slim, lightweight cases
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Minimalist dials
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Neutral colour palettes
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Milanese (mesh) bracelets
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Accessible price points
It’s also common for people to ask whether Skagen and Bering are the same company. They aren’t. They are separate brands, founded at different times, with different approaches to materials and watchmaking — and it’s in those details where the real differences appear.
Skagen Watches – Brand Overview
Skagen was founded in 1989 by Danish-born Henrik and Charlotte Jorst after they moved to the United States. The brand was named after Denmark’s northernmost peninsula, Skagen, where the North Sea and Baltic Sea meet — a meeting point reflected in the Skagen logo.
The brand quickly gained popularity for its ultra-slim designs and elegant mesh bracelets, offering something very different from traditional, bulkier watches of the time. Skagen became particularly well known for affordable minimalist watches that felt modern and easy to wear.
In 2012, Skagen was acquired by the Fossil Group. While Skagen’s design roots are Danish, production today is carried out internationally, and the brand now also offers smartwatches and solar-powered models alongside its traditional quartz watches.
Skagen watches are often best suited to:
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Those who prioritise ultra-thin cases
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Fans of clean, contemporary styling
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Wearers interested in fashion-led watches or smart features.
👉 You can explore the current Skagen watch collection on Amazon here.
Bering Watches – Brand Overview
Bering is a newer brand, founded in 2008 by Danish entrepreneur René Kaerskov. The inspiration for the brand came from Kaerskov’s experience travelling to the Arctic, where he was struck by the stark beauty, clarity and simplicity of the landscape.
Named after the explorer Vitus Bering, the brand set out to create watches that reflect Arctic purity — minimalist in appearance but built using high-quality, long-lasting materials.
Bering entered the UK market in 2011 and quickly gained attention from independent jewellers. Although visually similar to Skagen at first glance, Bering distinguished itself by prioritising materials such as sapphire crystal glass, ceramic and titanium across much of its collection.
Today, Bering offers quartz, solar and automatic watches, with designs for both men and women.
👉 You can explore our current Bering watch collections here.
Design & Wearability Compared
Both brands excel at slim, lightweight designs that are comfortable for everyday wear. Their minimalist dials are easy to read and work well for both casual and smart occasions.
Slim Profiles
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Skagen is known for extremely thin cases
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Bering’s ultra-slim range includes models as thin as 4.8 mm.
Despite their slimness, both brands produce watches that feel sturdy on the wrist.
Milanese (Mesh) Bracelets
Both Skagen and Bering helped popularise Milanese mesh straps. These offer:
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Excellent comfort
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Easy adjustability
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Better airflow than solid bracelets
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A secure safety clasp
Mesh straps are particularly practical in warmer months, as they don’t trap perspiration.
Materials Compared – Where the Biggest Differences Lie
This is where Bering and Skagen begin to diverge more clearly.
Sapphire Crystal Glass
One of Bering’s biggest advantages is its use of sapphire crystal glass across all watches.
Sapphire crystal:
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Is extremely scratch-resistant
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Is clearer and more durable than mineral glass
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Is ideal for very slim watch designs
From years of watch servicing experience, sapphire crystal dramatically reduces the likelihood of glass replacements.
Skagen, by contrast, primarily uses mineral glass on many models, which is more prone to scratching and damage over time.
Stainless Steel
Both brands use stainless steel cases and bracelets. Bering specifies 316L stainless steel, commonly used in medical and marine applications, offering excellent corrosion resistance and durability.
Titanium
Both Skagen and Bering offer titanium watches. Titanium is:
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Lighter than stainless steel
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Strong and corrosion-resistant
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Comfortable for long-term wear
Bering’s titanium collections, particularly with blue dials, are especially popular.
Ceramic Watches
Bering was an early adopter of ceramic watches at accessible price points, which helped set the brand apart.
Ceramic watches are:
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Hypoallergenic
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Highly scratch-resistant
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Smooth and tactile
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Elegant and long-lasting
Although ceramic is more brittle than metal and should be handled with care, many long-term owners find ceramic Bering watches still look pristine after years of wear.
Watch Movements Compared
Quartz Movements
Both brands predominantly use reliable Japanese quartz movements, known for accuracy and low maintenance.
Solar-Powered Watches
Both Skagen and Bering offer solar-powered watches. These convert light into energy stored in a rechargeable battery, reducing the need for battery changes.
A fully charged solar watch can typically run for 6–12 months without additional light exposure.
Automatic Watches
Bering offers a popular range of automatic (self-winding) watches, while Skagen currently does not.
Automatic watches appeal to enthusiasts who appreciate traditional mechanical watchmaking. Bering’s automatic models remain impressively slim and are often considered excellent value for money within their price range.
Smartwatches
Skagen offers smartwatches, whereas Bering does not currently produce a smartwatch range.
Warranty, Longevity & Everyday Use
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Bering warranty: 3 years
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Skagen warranty: 2 years
From a long-term ownership perspective, Bering’s focus on sapphire crystal, ceramic and titanium contributes to better resistance to everyday wear and tear.
Skagen vs Bering – At-a-Glance Comparison
| Feature | Bering Watches | Skagen Watches |
|---|---|---|
| Sapphire Crystal Glass | ✓ | ✕ |
| Stainless Steel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ceramic Models | ✓ | ✕ |
| Titanium Models | ✓ | ✓ |
| Quartz Movements | ✓ | ✓ |
| Solar Movements | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Movements | ✓ | ✕ |
| Smartwatches | ✕ | ✓ |
| Warranty | 3 Years | 2 Years |
Which Is Better – Skagen or Bering?
Both Skagen and Bering produce beautifully designed minimalist watches, and the best choice ultimately depends on what you value most.
Skagen may suit you if:
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You want an ultra-thin fashion-led watch
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You’re interested in smartwatch options
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Design is your top priority
Bering may suit you if:
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You value long-term durability
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You want sapphire crystal as standard
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You’re interested in ceramic or automatic watches
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You want excellent materials at a fair price
Frequently Asked Questions about Skagen vs Bering Watches
Are Skagen and Bering watches the same company?
No. Skagen and Bering are separate brands with different founders, histories and manufacturing approaches.
Do Bering watches use sapphire crystal?
Yes. All Bering watches use sapphire crystal glass, which is highly scratch-resistant.
Are Skagen watches good quality?
Skagen watches are well designed and popular for their slim profiles, but many models use mineral glass rather than sapphire.
Which brand lasts longer, Skagen or Bering?
In general, Bering watches tend to show less wear over time due to sapphire crystal and material choices.
Final Thoughts
Skagen and Bering watches share a minimalist Scandinavian aesthetic, but they differ in philosophy. Skagen focuses on slim, modern design, while Bering places greater emphasis on materials, durability and long-term wear.
From our experience as independent jewellers, Bering offers more watch for your money, particularly when it comes to glass quality, materials and warranty — without sacrificing the clean, understated look that Danish watches are known for.
Ultimately, the best watch is the one you love wearing most.
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