Founded by a talented craftsman in 1904, the success of the company was anything but certain. But in 2017 the brand is present in over 60 countries, with a solid reputation of quality minimalist design.

Georg Jensen might not be the biggest watchmaker hailing from Scandinavia, but it has a rich history that spans over a century. Today, it is very much a lifestyle brand, known for producing a range of products from homeware, to jewellery, and yes, even watches.

Whatever the product might be, the creations by Georg Jensen can be recognized by their timeless aesthetic. We’ve come to expect no less from any company that has its Scandinavian roots, and Georg Jensen can certainly boast a proud Danish heritage.

The company was founded officially by Georg Jensen himself in Copenhagen in 1904. But the path that eventually led to the name becoming synonymous with quality lifestyle products was anything but straightforward.

Born in 1866, Jensen began by training as a goldsmith at the ripe age of only 14. But his real passion was to become a sculptor, which he pursued at the Danish Royal Academy of Fine Arts. Finding little financial success with his sculpting, he then turned to ceramic work, much to the same result.

Finally, in 1901 he turned to working as a silversmith and eventually took the risk to set up his own silver smithery a few years late. His education and previous experience in other crafts allowed him to combine different disciplines and revive the tradition of the “artist craftsman”.

The Jensen philosophy was all about democracy in design, with a focus on both functionality and beauty for everyday use. That same democratic ethos was also evident in how his workshop operated. The designers, for example, were always credited for their individual works – which is not always the case in the industry.

Various artists worked at the manufacture, each bringing their own unique flavor to the overall motif. While each brought something new to studio, the overall concept was consistent with the distinctive Art Nouveau lines. Combined, their works were said to constitute the so called “Georg Jensen style”.

Those basic style characteristics remain in tact today across a broad product line. The brand’s creations can now be found in over 60 shops around the world, including a cleanly designed - and well priced - collection of both men’s and women’s timepieces.