Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Skagen Aktiv – True Danish Design

A tour de force of timekeeping—The Aktiv Collection, from Skagen, pays homage to the pride the Danish people take in their active lifestyle. Favored for its sleek urban style and durability, their casual timepieces are certain to score high marks among the fashion conscious and adventure enthusiasts.

For ease in body movement and to keep with a casual appeal, AKTIV features a stainless steel signature mesh or titanium link band– available in either grey or ion-plated black. The hue of the modest yet bold watch dial matches the band. To create a unique perception of depth on the dial, there are two levels with day and date functionality. The grey face features an orange inner dial and the black features a lighter grey. The integration of these timeless elements, combined with high-quality craftsmanship, express a lifestyle defined by the active man wearing it – modest yet bold, youthful yet mature, ever-evolving and full of energy.

Skagen’s most distinctive collections represent a passion for the Danish aesthetic, an emphasis on simplicity and a higher grade of craftsmanship. Combining sophisticated designs with functional masculine details, these timeless pieces are this season’s icons of stylish simplicity. Whether you’re a watch connoisseur or design enthusiast, our collections mix natural and modern elements to make them perfect for today, tomorrow and beyond.

“SKAGEN AKTIV are not ‘sports watches’ per se, but ones that cater to an active lifestyle, including an urban one. Danes are by nature very active and these pieces are elegant enough to wear to work but light (weight wise) enough to bike to work.” said Thomas Bennedsen, Sr. Creative Director, Skagen Denmark

The concept of Scandinavian design has been the subject of many scholarly debates, exhibitions and marketing agendas during the last 50 years. But many of the democratic design ideals that were the central theme of the movement survived and are reflected in contemporary Scandinavian and international design.  The Danish values – the simplicity of life, the Nordic light, clean water and fresh air.

The idea that beautiful and functional everyday objects, from watches to a chair, should not only be affordable to the wealthy, but to all, is a core theme in the development of modernism and functionalism. This is probably most completely realized in post-WWII Scandinavian design. The ideological background was the emergence of a particular Scandinavian form of social democracy in the 1950s, as well as the increased availability of new low-cost materials and methods for mass production. Scandinavian design often makes use of form-pressed wood, plastics, anodized or enameled aluminum, or pressed steel.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Tom Handley
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Tom Handley is a contributor for TheManual. As a professor of public relations and social media strategy at Parsons The New…
What exactly are limited edition watches?
Know the buzz word before you buy
Citizen watch in ground beans

Have you ever watched a movie and wondered why the rare piece of art could ever be worth the obscene amount of money the debonair art thief claims it's worth? It is simple, really. It comes down to the fact that it is rare. A truly original piece of art masterfully created by the very hand who conjured it up in their mind is something that cannot be recreated. The same kind of rare value exists in the watch world, too. There is an entire industry of limited edition watches that claim rarity rivaled only by the masterful artwork of Renaissance artists who can no longer create original pieces.

But what does it really mean to say that a watch is a limited edition? Does it truly mean that there is little chance of you walking into a party or a bar and running into the ever-embarrassing moment when your "rare" watch sits on the wrist of another...in the same room? Or does it mean they just want you to buy it quickly because they have numbers to make before the shareholders' meeting? Both are possible. As usual here at The Manual, we did the legwork to make sure are armed with the information you need before you click the BUY button and invest in a limited edition watch.
The parameters of limited edition

Read more
A day at the races: How to dress for the Kentucky Derby
Let your colors and patterns fly at the Kentucky Derby
Men's Derby Fashion with Bowties

Thanks in no small part to social media, The Kentucky Derby has become more than a horse race, becoming a major annual fashion event. Horse races have historically been social events that encouraged spectators to dawn their most spectacular finery going back to Victorian England. That tradition carried over to the States, and three races of the Triple Crown have been fashion events for America's upper class for well over a century. As a social engagement, the greatest of the three big races is The Kentucky Derby, and the greatest part of the race is the Kentucky Derby outfits. Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky, becomes the fashion capital of the South for one weekend every May.

The rise of social media and "fit" culture have led to a boom in Kentucky Derby parties across the country over the past ten years. An event that used to be a niche interest to horse racing and gambling enthusiasts, along with the few people wealthy enough to attend the event, has become a national fashion event. People who have no interest in horse racing and will probably not even watch the race (there are a number of races happening all day, culminating in the actual headline race) gather together over their shared love of dressing up and partying. It has become an occasion to be seen, both #IRL and on every social media platform.

Read more
Get up to 50% off Oliver Cabell sneakers, loafers, and more today
oliver cabell sneaker sale april 2024 sneakers on feet

There are some fantastic sneaker deals at Oliver Cabell providing you’re fast enough to snap one up. There’s up to 50% off select styles with something for every taste and desire here. To get the discount, just use the promo code LASTCALL. With 150 products available right now, the best thing to do is take a look for yourself by tapping the button below. Otherwise, if you keep reading, we’ll take you through some highlights that we particularly love in the sale.

What to shop for in the Oliver Cabell sneaker sale
If you love to have the best sneakers in your wardrobe, you’ll love what Oliver Cabell has to offer. We instantly love the which is down to $150 from $199. A distressed twist on the brand’s iconic low-top silhouette, it’s handcrafted and coupled with buttery Italian calfskin leather and custom outsoles. No two pairs are alike and the combination of green and white looks great.

Read more