Sif N.A.R.T. - The Official Watch Of The Icelandic Coast Guard

The Sif North Atlantic Rescue Timer (N.A.R.T.) is a classically styled rescue watch water resistant to a depth of 1000 meters. The Sif is modestly proportioned at 40mm. The remarkably clean dial design and robust construction has made it a treasured possession of the fearless men and women of the Icelandic coastguard. It has a Swiss Made Mechanical movement “Execution Top” with Automatic winding, 25 jewels, Custom decorations, Blue screws and Rhodium plated finish.

The Icelandic Coast Guard has always named their fleet of ships and aircrafts after the Norse gods, and it was most appropriate that a French helicopter on loan from Aeérospatiale, in the years 1984-85, was given the name "Sif". Sif handled the Icelandic weather and conditions so brilliantly that the Coast Guard bought her sister helicopter, which also flew under the name "Sif". Sif, the second, was to serve the nation reliably for the next twenty-two years.

Arguably, the Icelandic people take more pride in their Coast Guard than in any other establishment. The Coast Guard has given our young republic an invaluable service. The men and women of the guard have time and time again displayed bravery, honour, knowledge, and patience while performing difficult rescues during horrendous storms and the giant seas off the North Atlantic Ocean.

This courage was perhaps best displayed during the three "Cod Wars" against the British Empire. Our small vessels went head to head with the Royal Navy's warships, playing with them like a mouse around a cat. The guardsmen pulled mischievous pranks on the British trawlers, right in front of her majesty's admiralty. They would cut the nets from behind the trawlers, making it impossible for the British fleet to fish, and frustrating the crews on the warships who were unable to make a countermove. The Coast Guard crews on the vessels: Ægir, Óðin, and Þór, were hailed as national heroes, capturing the hearts and minds of all Icelanders.

The fishing area under Icelandic control has grown exponentially in the past few years and the Coast Guard has had to add many new vessels, helicopters, and airplanes to its fleet. To memorialise the small, yet powerful, helicopter "Sif" (1985-2007), JS Watch designed a classically styled rescue watch which will keep the memory alive for years to come.

Sif N.A.R.T. 1948

Made in honour of the Icelandic Coast Guard patrolling the North Atlantic seas for over 60 years. It was in the year 1948 right after the second world war when the Coast Guard leased an aircraft from local airlines to patrol the fishing grounds just off the coast. This aircraft was an Grumman Goose American flight boat which had the registration name TF-ISR and was used to patrol the Icelandic seas in the beginning of the Cod War in 1948 when the Icelandic Coast Guard fought the Royal Navy over fishing in Icelandic waters. This was the start of the Coast Guard's Aeronautical Division and in 1955 the Coast Guard then bought its first aircraft and in 1965 the first helicopter.

The expansion of the Exclusive Economic Zone to 200 nautical miles in 1975 marked the conclusion of decades of struggle between Iceland and Britain over fishing in Icelandic waters, ushering in what is known as the “Fourth Cod War”. The other “Cod Wars” were waged between Iceland and Britain in 1948-1956, 1958-1961 and 1972-1973.

The development and tasks of the Icelandic Coast Guard have changed much after the fishing limits were extended to 200 nautical miles. The staff and crews of the vessels, Aircrafts and Helicopter’s are now obliged to carry out law enforcement and assist or rescue.