Few hockey players have left a mark on Canada quite like Börje Salming. Now, his legacy is being celebrated through a timepiece he helped create himself. Salming Watches officially unveiled The Salming 1148 in Canada on August 6 at Toronto’s Hockey Hall of Fame. Limited to 1,148 individually numbered pieces, the mechanical chronograph pays tribute to each of the 1,148 NHL regular-season games Salming played during his career.
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A watch years in the making
The project began in 2018 when Salming and longtime friend and entrepreneur Mats Kullenberg started designing the watch from a blank sheet of paper. Salming remained involved throughout the process, prioritizing details ranging from its Swiss movement and Swedish assembly to its understated black dial.
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Following Salming’s passing in 2022, his children helped complete his vision. “There was never any question that Canada had to be part of The Salming 1148 story,” said Kullenberg, CEO of Salming Watches. “Börje poured his heart into this project, and every detail reflects who he was, from its understated design to its craftsmanship.” The Canadian launch follows the watch’s Swedish debut on April 17, Salming’s birthday.
Hockey history in the details
The Salming 1148 incorporates subtle references to the hockey icon’s career. His famous number 21 is the only numeral appearing on the dial, while the crown features a hockey puck-inspired texture. Look closer at the chronograph second hand and you’ll also find a silhouette of Toronto’s CN Tower. Each watch is handcrafted in Stockholm and customized by the Scandinavian Watch Company, while Swedish design studio Superlab managed the project and completed the final design. “It’s amazing to see the watch become a reality,” said Salming’s eldest son, Anders. “It feels authentic and genuinely looks like something that belonged to him.”
A legacy that gives back
For its Canadian introduction, Salming Watches has partnered with the NHL Alumni Association. The first 100 watches have been reserved exclusively for NHL players, allowing them the opportunity to select numbers connected to their own careers.
Salming Watches will also donate CAD $170 (SEK 1,148) from every watch sold to charitable causes through the association and its network. The Salming 1148 officially went on sale August 21—a fitting date for a watch carrying the legacy of number 21.
