The Unboxing Experience: A First Look at Skagen’s Latest
The arrival of a new Skagen smartwatch is an event marked by a distinct sense of Scandinavian anticipation. The packaging itself is a prelude to the product within: minimalist, elegant, and thoughtfully designed. The newest models, such as the Skagen Falster Gen 6 and Jorn Gen 6, continue this tradition. The box is a slim, sturdy cardboard sleeve, often in a muted charcoal grey or deep blue, with the Skagen logo debossed in a subtle, tasteful silver foil. Sliding off the outer sleeve reveals a matte-finish inner box, which opens like a book or a clamshell to unveil the watch itself, nestled securely in a custom-fit, recycled paper pulp tray.
The first visual impression is everything you’d expect from Skagen, a brand synonymous with Danish design. The watch face is pristine, protected by a thin, clear film. Lifting it from its cradle, the weight—or lack thereof—is immediately noticeable. Skagen has mastered the art of creating robust smartwatches that feel incredibly light and comfortable on the wrist, a hallmark of their design philosophy that prioritizes wearability. The materials speak of quality; the case is crafted from refined stainless steel with a choice of finishes: a classic brushed silver, a sleek matte black, or a sophisticated gunmetal. The signature mesh bracelet, a Skagen staple, is cool to the touch and feels both flexible and durable.
Beneath the watch tray lies the included documentation and charging apparatus. The paperwork is kept to a bare minimum: a quick-start guide and warranty information, all printed on recycled paper. The charging cable is a magnetic USB-C puck that snaps securely to the back of the watch with a satisfying magnetic click. The shift to USB-C is a welcome modern touch, eliminating the need for yet another proprietary cable and allowing for faster charging times. The entire unboxing process is devoid of clutter and excess plastic, reflecting the brand’s growing commitment to sustainability. It’s an experience that feels premium, considered, and perfectly aligned with the minimalist aesthetic Skagen customers admire.
Design & Craftsmanship: Where Minimalism Meets Technology
Upon closer inspection, the design nuances of the newest Skagen smartwatches become apparent. The cases are meticulously finished, with smooth, rounded edges that flow seamlessly into the lugs, which then integrate with the bracelet or strap. The Falster Gen 6 often features a more streamlined, dress-watch profile with a thinner bezel, maximizing the screen real estate. The Jorn Gen 6 might present a slightly more robust case, sometimes with a fixed bezel marked with minimalist indices, appealing to those who prefer a hint of a sportier aesthetic while retaining a clean look.
The crown is a particularly well-executed element. It’s knurled for a precise grip and features a responsive, tactile feel when scrolling through menus. It often carries a subtle color accent, like a red or orange dot, a small but characteristic Skagen design flourish. The single secondary button is similarly refined, providing a clear, satisfying press. The watch backs are made of durable polymer with a ceramic center for optimal wireless charging and heart rate sensor performance. The sensors sit flush against the polymer, ensuring comfort against the skin.
The straps are a key part of the identity. The signature stainless steel mesh bracelet is adjustable via a clever and secure magnetic clasp that tucks away neatly. For leather options, Skagen uses high-quality, supple leather that is soft from the first wear. New for this generation are straps made from recycled materials, including a soft silicone-like material for active use and woven fabric options, all featuring quick-release spring bars for effortless swapping. This attention to detail in the design and materials ensures the watch doesn’t just function as a piece of technology but as a genuine piece of jewelry, capable of transitioning from a workout session to a formal event without missing a beat.
Setup & Initial Impowerment
Powering on the Skagen smartwatch for the first time triggers the vibrant, full-color AMOLED display. The screen is a standout feature, offering deep blacks, brilliant colors, and exceptional brightness that remains easily readable even in direct sunlight. The initial setup process is intuitive and streamlined through the Wear OS by Google platform. After selecting a language, the watch prompts you to download the Wear OS app on your paired smartphone (compatible with both Android and iOS).
The pairing process is a simple matter of opening the app, selecting “Set up new watch,” and pointing your phone’s camera at a unique pattern displayed on the watch screen. This seamless QR-style pairing is quick and avoids the frustration of Bluetooth code hunting. Once connected, the watch guides you through a series of permissions and personalizations. You’ll log into your Google account, which syncs your calendar, contacts, and, crucially, the Google Play Store for apps.
This is where the power of the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100+ Platform becomes evident. The setup and subsequent syncing of data are noticeably snappier compared to previous generations. Animations are smooth, and there is no discernible lag when navigating the initial menus. You’ll be prompted to set up Google Pay (now Google Wallet), which involves a secondary security step of a PIN code drawn directly on the watch screen. The setup concludes with selecting your preferred watch face from a curated list of Skagen-designed faces, which perfectly mimic the brand’s analog watch aesthetics with clean numerals, slim hands, and sub-dials that now display smart complications like heart rate or weather.
Features & Performance: A Daily Companion
The user experience is defined by the synergy of Wear OS 3 and the upgraded hardware. Navigating the interface is a delight. A swipe down from the top reveals quick settings for battery saver, theatre mode, flashlight, and connectivity. A swipe up shows notifications from your phone, which are clear and actionable. Swiping left or right cycles through customizable tiles—glanceable widgets for everything like weather forecast, heart rate, daily activity progress (via Google Fit), calendar agenda, and media controls.
The performance uplift from the Snapdragon 4100+ is transformative. Apps like Spotify load in seconds, allowing you to download playlists directly to the watch for phone-free listening during runs. The voice-activated Google Assistant is highly responsive; holding down the crown activates it instantly for setting reminders, sending texts, or controlling smart home devices with minimal delay. The built-in speaker and microphone are clear enough for taking calls directly on your wrist in a quiet environment, a feature that feels both futuristic and practical.
Health and fitness tracking is comprehensive yet unobtrusive. The optical heart rate sensor provides continuous monitoring, and the watch automatically tracks walks and runs with impressive GPS accuracy thanks to built-in GPS. Workout modes are plentiful, covering everything from running and cycling to yoga and high-intensity interval training. The data is presented clearly within Google Fit, offering insights into Heart Points, Steps, and Stride Length. While it may not have the extreme sports focus of a Garmin, it provides more than enough data for the vast majority of users seeking to maintain an active lifestyle. Battery life is respectable, consistently achieving a full 24 hours of use with the always-on display enabled, which includes sleep tracking. A new low-power mode can extend this significantly for times when charging isn’t an option.
Comparative Analysis & User Considerations
When placed next to its direct competitors, the newest Skagen models carve out a unique niche. Against the Google Pixel Watch, the Skagen offers a distinctly different design language—more minimalist and arguably more versatile for formal wear, with a wider range of strap options out of the box. Compared to a Samsung Galaxy Watch, the Skagen runs a purer version of Wear OS without the heavy One UI skin, which may appeal to those who prefer a software experience closer to Google’s vision.
The choice between models like the Falster Gen 6 and Jorn Gen 6 often comes down to subtle design preferences. The Falster tends toward a more classic, minimalist dress watch appearance, often with a thinner profile. The Jorn may feature a slightly larger case or a bezel with tactile markings, offering a subtly more tool-watch aesthetic. Both share the same powerful internals and software, making the decision purely one of style.
For the user, the primary consideration is design ethos. This watch is for the individual who prioritizes aesthetics and everyday wearability as much as they do smart functionality. It’s a device that excels as a seamless extension of your phone, a fitness tracker for daily activity, and a stylish accessory. It may not have the week-long battery life of a Withings ScanWatch or the rugged build of a Casio G-Shock smartwatch, but it successfully bridges the gap between high fashion and cutting-edge technology better than almost any other device on the market. The unboxing is merely the beginning of an experience defined by elegant efficiency.