Race Car Driver Stefan Johansson Växjö Watches

For a while European Formula 1, IndyCar, and Le Mans race car driver Stefan Johannsson has had a bit of a watch line. Recently they have been revamped into a new company called Stefan Johansson Växjö.  At least this is my understanding. They have released a series of new styles of racing inspired watches using durable Swiss ETA mechanical movements. Most of the watches are under the Mark VIII line of timepieces with there being many models and iterations. The watches are pretty cool and most definitely convey a sense of racing spirit and pride.

The above model is the Stefan Johansson Växjö Mark VIII D 033 (for my convenience I will write Växjö as “Vaxjo.” In the spirit of the Corum Admiral’s cup watche it has the FIA official car racing flags at the hour markers. Whereas the Admiral’s Cup had boat racing flags. The watch case and dial are in a deep black, with the case being 47mm wide in steel and black PVD coated. SuperLumiNova coats the hour markers and hands, while the brand logo sits where the seconds dial typically is for the internal Valjoux 7750 automatic movement.  The watch comes with a choice of custom rubber, crocodile, or python straps – with your choice of stitching color. The watches are individually numbered and this specific model is limited to just 24 pieces. Pricey at $9,500, but a nice watch all around.

Below you see another Mark VIII watch, this time with a few different style treatments and a different movement. This is the Stefan Johansson Vaxjo Mark VIII F 658 watch again in all black but with a perforated partially skeletonized dial. The black and white tones with the touch of racing blue are lovely and I enjoy their interpretation of the Valjoux 7751 movement’s features. See the date hand with part of the brand logo at the tip. The Valjoux 7751 automatic Swiss movement is hardy and offers lots of functionality. In addition to the 12 hour chronograph of the 7750, it adds a triple date, moon phase indicator, and synchronized 24 hour hand to the list of features. The Mark VIII F 658 is also in PVD steel and 47mm wide with an exhibition caseback and lots of SuperLumiNova on the dial. This model is limited to 250 pieces and retails at the high price of $13,500.

All Stefan Johansson Vaxjo Mark VIII watches come with a marble oak box that incorporates a watch winder – a nice touch that only a few luxury watch companies do. Stefan Johansson Vaxjo also notes that when you order the watch directly from them, they will add your name to the back of the watch on the sapphire caseback window. An interesting brand borne of the entrepreneurial spirit  of a successful motorsports hero.

By Ariel Adams

Tags: 033, 658, D, F, Mark VIII, Stefan Johansson Vaxjo, watch

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 10th, 2009 at 2:44 pm and is filed under Watches. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.