About Us

This is our story

Founded in 2014 by childhood friends Thomas Andersen and Sebastian Skov, AV86 began with a shared dream: to create timeless watches that mark life’s meaningful moments.

Rooted in vintage inspiration and built with precision, AV86 has grown into a global watch brand known for high quality and lasting design.

It started with a moment on a beach in Mexico

Two childhood friends. A white beach in Mexico. A shared love for vintage watches, and an itch to create something of their own.

In 2013, Thomas Andersen and Sebastian Skov were on holiday in Mexico with their girlfriends, sitting on a pearl white beach with a bucket of cold Coronas. Like so many times before, the conversation drifted to watches. What piece would they love to own next? And what would they have to sell to afford it?

Maybe it was the holiday feeling. Or the endless horizon. But something clicked. The talk shifted from dream watches to bigger dreams. Dreams of building something from scratch, doing things differently, and making design a part of daily life. That idea became the seed for what would later be called AV86.

From the very beginning, the vision was clear. To create watches with the look, feel and soul of a classic timepiece, made to be worn every day rather than locked away. A kind of “affordable dream watch” that combined Scandinavian design, vintage details, and lasting quality. Something you could buy to mark a moment and keep for the rest of your life.

It has never been just about watches. It started with a moment and the idea that a watch could carry meaning, hold memory, and be part of something bigger than time. It’s about the people who wear them and the stories they carry.

That same vision still guides AV86 today. The name may have changed, but the heart of the brand hasn’t.

New name. Same legacy.

Our Legacy Starts Here

There are several milestones from our early years that, in many ways, shaped the path we’ve been on ever since.

2014: 1564 Concinnus

The first watch

The 1564 Concinnus marked the beginning of our journey, launched under the name About Vintage. With its clean, timeless design, it set the tone for everything that followed. The model number 1564 has stayed with us ever since as a quiet tribute to where it all began.

2016: 1815 Chronograph

A signature piece

The 1815 Chronograph became a defining model in our early years — elegant, versatile, and easy to wear. It was also the first watch we named after a milestone in watchmaking history, marking the invention of the chronograph in 1815. That idea stuck, and it’s shaped how we name our watches ever since.

2016: Opening of our flag ship store

We opened the doors to our first permanent store on Gothersgade in central Copenhagen. More than just a place to shop, it became a home for the brand. A space where people could experience our watches up close, get personal guidance, and celebrate their moments in person.

2017: 1844 Chronograph

From favorite to bestseller

Named after the year the chronograph was upgraded with a reset function, the 1844 Chronograph was designed with clean lines, practical subdials, and precise reset timing in mind. Its crisp design and everyday versatility made it a favorite - and today, it stands as our all-time bestseller.

Why AV86?

New name. Same legacy.

In 2014, we founded About Vintage with a simple idea: to create watches that celebrate life’s meaningful moments and become more valuable with time. Thoughtfully designed, built to last, and made to be worn, not locked away.

That idea still drives everything we do. And after years of memorable milestones, countless small wins, and a growing community around the world, it felt like the right moment to mark a new chapter.

The name AV86 is that chapter.

A name that reflects our roots and everything that still defines us:

- AV stands for About Vintage, our origin and design philosophy.
- 86 is the birth year of both founders, and a nod to the moments that shape us.

What has not changed is what matters most. Our commitment to quality, our passion for timeless design, and our belief that a watch should be more than a way to tell time. It should be a way to mark it.

AV86. Celebrate your moment.

Our mission

Keeping track of the moments in time

By creating the alternative to the watch in the safety box, we have a vision to be relevant today, tomorrow and beyond. A focus to make simple, affordable, yet spectacular timepieces that last a lifetime. For us, vintage is not just a reference of style; it is the journey to becoming it. The journey will take you through eventful moments and memorable days to occasions that change your whole perspective. We hope that one day your watch will make you look back at it all.

Make moments, give it history - let it become vintage.

TIMELESS DESIGN

BUILT TO LAST

We’re committed to craft vintage-inspired watches with a timeless design, and because we only use the best materials and movements available, they’re built to last a lifetime.

Designed in Copenhagen and delivered to the world.

STEEL & GOLD

We use 316L surgical-grade stainless steel from Finland, which is commonly used for fine watches and jewelry worldwide. Additionally, our models with gold plating are, of course, made with genuine ISO-certified gold plating, ensuring that the precious metals can withstand the test of time.

SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL

We only use highly scratch-resistant sapphire crystal on all our models, combined with an anti-reflective coating for better visibility. Our products are made with Japanese precision. It may be expensive, but it is the key to lifelong quality.

MOVEMENTS (CALIBER)

We carefully select Swiss and Japanese-made quality movements, as they are simply the best in the world. We choose specific calibers from Miyota, Sellita, and TMI that have been real-world tested and proven to be 'workhorses' for optimal durability.

A-GRADE FACTORIES

We use A-grade factories and suppliers for all components, making a difference in all the small but important details. Everything, from the feel of the round steel edges to the quality feel and weight of the bracelets, dial details, quality control, and certified work environment ethic.