AV86 — A Danish Microbrand Worth Your Time
AV86: Timeless Scandinavian Design Rooted in a Modern Watchmaking Vision
AV86 is a Danish watch brand founded in Copenhagen in 2014 by childhood friends Thomas Andersen and Sebastian Skov. Originally known as About Vintage, the brand evolved into AV86—honoring both its heritage and the founders’ shared birth year, 1986—while maintaining a focus on classic design, disciplined proportions, and long-term wearability.
AV86 watches are designed in Copenhagen and draw from vintage references balanced with contemporary restraint. Refined dials, thoughtful case dimensions, and practical complications define the collection, resulting in timepieces that feel intentional, understated, and built for everyday use.
At Croft & Stern, AV86 was curated by Kelly and Josh for the studio. The brand’s Scandinavian design language, material quality, and measured approach to production align naturally with the studio’s emphasis on independent craftsmanship and enduring design.
AV86 maintains a limited retail presence, with most authorized partners located throughout Europe. Croft & Stern is proud to be one of very few authorized AV86 accounts in the United States—offering access to a European microbrand selected for its clarity of design and ability to stand apart from mainstream watch offerings.
Microbrand Definition & Our Approach
A watch microbrand is an independent company that designs its watches in-house, produces in limited quantities, and operates outside of large corporate watch groups. Microbrands typically rely on proven third-party movements from established Swiss or Japanese manufacturers, allowing them to focus resources on design integrity, material quality, and case finishing rather than mass production.
We choose to support microbrands because they prioritize intentional design, controlled production, and long-term serviceability.
Movements and Technical Specs
Movements: AV86 watches feature Japanese-made Miyota quartz and mechanical automatic movements. Quartz calibers include multi-function movements capable of moonphase and calendar complications, selected for accuracy and low maintenance. Mechanical models utilize Miyota 8-series automatic movements, featuring bi-directional self-winding, hacking seconds, and an average 42-hour power reserve.
Case Material: 316L stainless steel, chosen for corrosion resistance, durability, and long-term wear stability. Select models feature PVD or ISO-certified gold plating applied over the base steel.
Crystal: Sapphire crystal, frequently double-domed, providing high scratch resistance and improved dial legibility.
Design Language
AV86 emphasizes proportion, symmetry, and clarity. Layered textures and balanced dial layouts reflect mid-century design without feeling dated. Each watch combines form and function, making them equally suited to daily wear or special occasions.
What Watch Enthusiasts Say
AV86 is recognized in enthusiast communities for thoughtful Scandinavian design, refined finishing, and reliable movements. Owners note the comfortable proportions, quality sapphire crystals, and versatile styling. Across forums, AV86 is praised for its distinctive Scandinavian design, quality finishing, and strong value relative to price.
Limited distribution and curated production make AV86 a unique discovery for collectors and design-minded watch owners.
AV86’s choice of brand ambassadors—figures like Pilou Asbæk, internationally recognized for his roles in Game of Thrones and major European and Hollywood films, and Will Buxton, best known as a leading Formula 1 journalist, commentator, and the face of Netflix’s Drive to Survive—reflects the lives they’ve lived and the stories they carry.
These ambassadors, shaped by craft, discipline, and pressure, coming from worlds where timing, precision, and performance are everything. With deep roots in motorsports and football culture, AV86 draws inspiration from competition, motion, and legacy. In that way, their watches become more than instruments of time; they’re companions to a life well-lived, marking moments, miles, and memories with quiet confidence and enduring style.
