Bering

Bering was founded in Denmark in 2004 and named for Vitus Bering, the Danish navigator who charted the strait between Siberia and Alaska. The Arctic reference is the brand's whole design argument: clarity, cold light, nothing surplus.

That translates into a consistent look — very slim cases, milanese mesh bracelets, flat dials with minimal markers, and a strong preference for ceramic and titanium over steel.

The technical claim is the glass. Bering fits sapphire across much of the range, and has built its marketing around scratch resistance at price points where mineral glass is the norm.

The company also produces solar-powered models and a substantial range of ceramic watches, and sells widely through European jewellers.

These are design-led quartz watches rather than horological objects, and they are honest about that. What they offer is a Scandinavian aesthetic executed consistently, at a price that does not require thinking twice.

Bering holds 44 models, from £75 to £259. Half cost less than £139, and a quarter less than £119. 2 of 44 are automatic. Prices are checked nightly against the retailers’ own feeds.

2004

Founded in Denmark, named for the navigator Vitus Bering.

2008

Ceramic cases enter the collection.

2012

Sapphire glass becomes standard across much of the range.

2016

Solar-powered models are introduced.

2020

Distribution widens across European jewellers.