Find of the Month: Tense Watches
As we head into the holiday season, I felt like this was a year I really wanted to focus on more Canadian brands. You all had such a positive reaction to my (nearly) all-Canadian gift guide this past July, so it inspired me to search far and wide for some of the best Canadian gift ideas out there. In today’s digital age, shopping ‘local’ can mean more than visiting your corner store – any time I’m featuring a Canadian brand, you’re supporting an entrepreneur that’s come up with an amazing gift idea. So with that in mind, I’m pleased to introduce you to Tense Watches.
Wooden watches are very ‘of the moment’ right now, suggesting a sort of earthy chic modernity. But believe it or not, Tense has been in the business since 1971, making them an originator of the wooden watch. All of the watches are actually handmade right here in Canada, from recycled or reclaimed wood, meaning you don’t even have to feel any sort of eco-guilt when wearing one. Watches are always a lovely gift idea in my books. While smart watches and your phone may threaten the watch’s prominence, when it’s crafted from beautiful wood, it becomes more of an accessory, or an art piece, or a piece of jewelry – one of the only pieces of jewelry many men feel comfortable wearing, natch. I’m so excited to share some of my favourite watches for him, her, and unisex from Tense!
Kootenay – From $229
One of my favourite styles is the unisex Kootenay. The cool geographic shape has this mid-century modern feel to it, particularly when paired with lush dark woods (although it also comes in lighter varieties). Note that with Tense watches, the price may go up slightly based on the type of wood you select, although not by much. You can expect about $5-$10- in price variation from the base price per watch I feature here. If you also dig the Kootenay’s next hexagon shape but want something a little more dainty, note that it also comes in a smaller profile, the aptly named Small Kootenay, for about $174.99.
Hybrid – $389.99
If you’re looking for something that marries the vibe of wooden watches but has a different band, then check out the Hybrid watch. Made with real leather and trimmed with sleek wood, these unisex watches have a polished urban feel. With a built-in calendar and top notch materials, this is a divine gift for your new spouse, a beloved parent, or someone special in your life that has an eye for high style.
Alpine – From $229.99
I picked this watch out because I liked how well it married the traditional and the new age. Wooden watches may be associated with a natural, purist vibe, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be loaded with modern features. For example, this square-shaped men’s wooden watch (a modern cut if I ever saw one) has a luminescent face, so he can keep time while watching a movie or heading home before daylight savings kicks in. The watch also comes in a ton of neat finishes. From a regal near-navy dark sandalwood to a calico-esque dual tone sandalwood, it goes to show that the sky is the limit when it comes to creativity and watches.
Maria – From $144.99
Most of the women’s watches in Tense’s collection are either unisex watches, or smaller versions of the more man-oriented styles. But the Maria stands apart as being part bracelet, part watch, and totally feminine. The little gold beads and vaguely heart-shaped wooden pieces give it a sweet feeling, but the minimalist clock face feels totally timeless. The price point of pieces like the Maria also make them supremely accessible. Buy this for your impossible to shop for mother-in-law – and tell her she’s buying into a truly Canadian brand – to put a smile on her face.
Want to score a Tense watch of your own? I’m very excited to announce that I am giving one lucky reader the chance to pick out a Tense watch of their choice, valued at up to $250. Here’s how to enter for your chance to get a beautiful Tense wooden watch!
1) First off my friends! You must be a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber to enter this giveaway. Just find the ‘Gift of Gab’ box on the righthand side of this page and either hit ‘Follow’ or enter your email address. Once you’ve done that, leave me a comment by November 30, 2016 with a link back to your favourite watch on the Tense website.
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around November 1, 2016 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.
4) Bonus Entry: Like Tense on Facebook and leave a wall post on which of their watches are your favourites. Link back to your wall post in a separate comment below.
5) Bonus Entry #2: Follow Tense on Pinterest and repin your favourite item from their boards. Share a link to your Pin in a separate comment below.
6) Bonus Entry #3: Follow Tense on Instagram and either Regram one of their photos and take a photo from their site and share it on your own feed, tagging them in it. Leave a link back to your photo in the comments below in a separate comment.
7) Bonus Entry #4: Follow Tense on Twitter and send out a Tweet tagging them + me (@cdngiftguide) that links back to this post.
Don’t forget! There’s often many other chances to earn bonus entries into all of my giveaways. As a subscriber, keep an eye out on daily posts for more ways to enter to win!
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Canadian Gift Guide 
I subscribe by email. I really like Willow https://tensewatch.ca/products/willow
dorcontest at gmail dot com
I love the Maria watch for women https://tensewatch.ca/products/maria
I really like the https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton-north
https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton My favorite is the Hampton in the dark sandalwood and rosewood. Subscriber
I think the Small Pacific watch is super pretty: https://tensewatch.ca/products/small-pacific-sale
I like the Maria in Dark Sandalwood… https://tensewatch.ca/products/maria
https://tensewatch.ca/products/washington-north I love the blue against the wood! So elegant yet distinct
I’m liking this watch https://tensewatch.ca/products/small-oregon
https://tensewatch.ca/products/buddhist-sale
http://pin.it/zTXdcLi
Love this one! https://tensewatch.ca/products/carine
I like the unisex Yukon watch- https://tensewatch.ca/products/small-yukon
This one is so sleek looking, beautiful https://tensewatch.ca/products/hybrid
Love the blue
https://tensewatch.ca/products/washington-north I love the blue against the wood!
I am a subscriber
I like the Hampton with the Walnut wood and the white dial
https://tensewatch.com/products/hampton
The Alpine watch in light wood is very pretty. I would be love to wear one!
This is my favorite watch – the Alpine
https://tensewatch.ca/products/alpine
I like the Willow in Walnut. https://tensewatch.ca/products/willow (I’m already a subscriber)
Here’s my wall post: https://www.facebook.com/TenseWoodenWatches/posts/10101810382651677
Pinned: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/272116002465367118/
I like the small yukon watch in Rosewood. https://tensewatch.ca/products/small-yukon
I love the https://tensewatch.ca/products/maria-sale.
Bonus entry 2 http://pin.it/barqJit https://www.pinterest.com/allyinstoon/fashion/
The Hybrid would be best for me.
http://pin.it/rLsFpHh
The Hybrid is one snazzy looking watch any male would love to wear – https://tensewatch.ca/products/hybrid
I am a subscriber and I like this Tense watch https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton-north
I LIke the KOOTENAY STYLE.
https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton-north I like this one with the black face and blue band.
https://tensewatch.ca/products/hybrid
I like the Dark Sandalwood/Black
I like the walnut with white face: ttps://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton
The small Kootenay is my favourite
https://tensewatch.ca/products/small-kootenay
I have a friend who recently received one as a gift and immediately knew that this was also the watch for me. The small Kootenay is the one I would pick. https:/tensewatch.ca/products/small-kootenay
I’m a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber and I really like
SKU | J5803BN Washington https://tensewatch.ca/products/washington
I am a subscriber and this is a hard choice but I think I would choose the Hampton Rosewood/Dark Sandalwood https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton
I am a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber, I really like the Small Kootenay watch in Walnut https://tensewatch.ca/products/small-kootenay.
I like the Washington north watch.
https://.ca/products/washington-north
I like the Tense watch https://tensewatch.ca/products/hybrid
Facebook post
Shared pin https://www.pinterest.com/cathychenier9/stuff-to-buy/
I like the Maria. https://tensewatch.com/products/maria-sale
I love the Hampton North https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton-north
I follow them on pinterest and pinned
All of these watches are very attractive. My final choice would be the Small Kootenay SKU | M8300I-W in Dual Tone Sandalwood/White Dial. https://tensewatch.ca/products/small-kootenay I also like the Kootenay inRosewood/Green Sandalwood, but a smaller watch is better for me. Thanks for the giveaway.
I commented in the visitors comments on https://www.facebook.com/TenseWoodenWatches/.
I like the Hybrid https://tensewatch.ca/products/hybrid and Leather Hampton (Rosewood/Navy) https://tensewatch.ca/products/leather-hampton best.
I like Northwest Dark Sandalwood
https://tensewatch.ca/products/northwest
This one is my favourite and I like it in the Rosewood best I think https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton
Here is my comment on the tense FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTenseWoodenWatches%2Fposts%2F935402316564118&width=500
Here is my pinterest pin:
https://tensewatch.ca/products/kootenay
That’s gorgeous but I like them all.
I subscribe
I like the Hampton in CAN I walnut
Link https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton
All of these watches are beautiful and I’d wear each one if I owned them. I know my son has been wanting one for a while so I would get him one first, and it would be this one.
https://tensewatch.ca/products/hybrid
This is my favorite https://tensewatch.ca/products/washington-north
I’m a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber. My favourite watch on the Tense website was a hard choice but their Leather Hampton $214.99 Walnut/Grey
https://tensewatch.ca/products/leather-hampton
Bonus Instagram Entry: Follow @TenseWatches on Instagram and either Regrammed https://www.instagram.com/p/BMTI8DPjNZ1/
already liked on FB. Post on wall… https://www.facebook.com/TenseWoodenWatches/posts/935520913218925
repinned on Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/pin/532128512206434758/
I love this watch so much https://tensewatch.com/products/comox
Bonus Twitter Entry: Followed @TenseWatches on Twitter and sent out a Tweet https://twitter.com/SoulSeeker0/status/793720506650337280
like the hybrid watch with the blue strap
https://tensewatch.com/products/kootenay
I love the Hampton North watch. Perfect for my son.
https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton-north
I like the Maria in Dark Sandalwood
I love the Hampton in Dark Sandalwood &Rosewood
https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton
I love the Buddhist rosewood watch – round beads and an elastic band! Very flexible and fluid.
https://tensewatch.ca/products/buddhist-sale
I really like this watch: https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton-north
https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton-north
The Hampton suits my style the best. https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton
My fave is this one:https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton-north
Would love it for my husband!
https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton-north
These are gorgeous watches and I love that they are made in Canada! My husband would love anything from the “Alpine” line and he just might find one under the tree this year! Alpine: https://tensewatch.ca/products/alpine
https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton
The Hampton in Zebrawood is my favourite! Such nice watches!
https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton
Love this
https://tensewatch.com/products/kootenay
fb https://www.facebook.com/TenseWoodenWatches/posts/935818349855848
Pinned https://www.pinterest.com/lillianmb23/watches/
these are all awesome!
I love the zebrawood watch. https://tensewatch.ca/collections/womens/color-zebrawood-navy
I quite like the Hybrid watches (particularly the one with the silver face and slate band). https://tensewatch.ca/collections/hybrid
Already a subscriber!
My dad would love this watch – https://tensewatch.ca/products/comox
Followed on Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/pin/491807221793214139/
Followed on facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TenseWoodenWatches/posts/935963279841355
love the Hampton in black
https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton
I like the Washington North watch
https://tensewatch.ca/products/washington-north
I like the small Kootenay https://tensewatch.ca/products/small-kootenay
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/143974519317729210/ Pinterest bonus
https://twitter.com/SarahFe60201169/status/793953415068061696 I tweeted for a bonus
The women’s Kootenay watch is gorgeous! https://tensewatch.ca/products/kootenay
i like all the wooden watches
love the maria watches https://www.facebook.com/TenseWoodenWatches/posts/936044589833224
I cant decide!! Victoria or Maria as starters!
https://tensewatch.ca/products/maria
I would love this one in Rosewood https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton.
I like the Small Kootenay in Zebrawood
https://tensewatch.ca/products/small-kootenay
I love the Hampton in Rosewood! https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton
https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton sophistication in walnut with white face!
I love the Maria link https://tensewatch.ca/products/maria
https://tensewatch.ca/collections/hybrid
I love the Hampton in Zebrawood! https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton
The alpine watch is so unique.
LOVE the Washington North (https://tensewatch.ca/products/washington-north) – vibrant rich deep coloured face in contrast with such a unique rich-finished band.
I’m in love with the Small Compass watch in Rosewood/Maplewood! So gorgeous. https://tensewatch.ca/products/small-compass
This one is great! https://tensewatch.ca/products/hybrid
My favourite watch is: https://tensewatch.ca/products/willow
Bonus Entry #1: https://www.facebook.com/TenseWoodenWatches/posts/937576343013382
IG bonus https://www.instagram.com/p/BMZ2jmKhpvr/?taken-by=lillianmb23
They all look great. So hard to choose a favourite, but I pick https://tensewatch.ca/products/buddhist-sale
Bonus Entry #2: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/62628251047692213/
I like the Hampton in Walnut https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton
Tweeted https://twitter.com/solace76/status/794667725897363456
Bonus Entry #3: https://www.instagram.com/p/BMaV94zAJJZ/?taken-by=photogirlj
my favourite watch is the https://tensewatch.ca/products/small-compass-sale
Bonus Entry #4: https://twitter.com/PumpkinGirl78/status/794729035330830336
https://tensewatch.ca/products/small-oregon
WOW. I luv https://tensewatch.ca/products/small-compass-sale.
I like FB @edmond238
It’s not easy to pick just one! I do love the https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton.
I regrammed : https://www.instagram.com/p/BMftWSKAF_h/?taken-by=edmond238
So hard to choose a favourite, but my pick https://tensewatch.ca/products/buddhist-sale
This is my fave https://tensewatch.ca/products/leather-hampton
tweeted https://twitter.com/lululuv11/status/795649452195348481
Follow Tense on instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BMg5qYtjg_5/?taken-by=lulurina11
Follow on Pinterest and repinned https://www.pinterest.com/l0396/things-i-love/
Liked on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TenseWoodenWatches/posts/936141469823536?comment_id=939788302792186&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R0%22%7D
posted on Tense FB page https://www.facebook.com/TenseWoodenWatches/posts/940031086101241
I love the Hampton: https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton
I really like this watch:
https://tensewatch.ca/products/small-compass
My favourite watch is the teak hybrid! https://tensewatch.ca/products/hybrid
Really love the Hybrid – wow!
https://tensewatch.ca/products/hybrid
This is my favorite:
https://tensewatch.ca/products/northwest
~Jonnie
https://tensewatch.ca/products/maria I like it in dark sandalwood.
This one is my fave; https://tensewatch.ca/products/leather-hampton
I like the Maria watches. https://tensewatch.ca/products/maria
I love the Maria! https://tensewatch.ca/products/maria
tweeted https://twitter.com/VictoriaEss2/status/796691348439056384
pinned https://www.pinterest.com/pin/106116134949663482/
regrammed: https://www.instagram.com/p/BMoYM_nDgPH/?taken-by=victoriaess2
I liked Tense on FB and commented: https://www.facebook.com/TenseWoodenWatches/posts/942430149194668
I’ve followed Tense on pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/421649583847760998/
I follow Tense on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Boomergirlz/status/796783542919458820
I think the hybrid is really nice. https://tensewatch.ca/products/hybrid
Thank you for this contest opportunity!
This is a link to a watch I like https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton
Love, love the North Hampton (especially in dark sandalwood/black) https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton-north
Thanks for introducing us to such an awesome Canadian product!
I’m a subscriber and the watch that I like is the Kootenay – walnut
https://tensewatch.ca/products/kootenay
Following Tense on pinterest and pinned my favourite watch
I think this watch is beautiful…
https://tensewatch.ca/products/small-northwest
I really like the Hybrid – it’s stylish and goes with most things.
https://tensewatch.ca/products/hybrid
Bonus #7 https://twitter.com/madcatly/status/797798305488961536
My favourite is the small yukon in walnut. https://tensewatch.com/products/small-yukon
I really like the Northwest design:
https://tensewatch.ca/products/small-northwest
https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton
Subscriber here! I love the Small Yukon Style! https://tensewatch.ca/products/small-yukon-sale
rebthecatsitter at gmail dot com
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/RebTheCatSitter/status/798372637747519488
These watches are gorgeous! My favourite is the unisex Kootenay in Dark Sandalwood/Rosewood: https://tensewatch.ca/products/kootenay
This is my favorite one.
https://tensewatch.ca/products/hybrid
Bonus entry: A pentatonix christmas!
My favourite is the Washington North in Butternut https://tensewatch.ca/products/washington-north
I like them all but my favourite is the Hampton, https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton
I like the small pacific watch https://tensewatch.ca/products/small-pacific
Tense Regram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BNAyJ8Qg783/?taken-by=abraidwood
https://tensewatch.ca/products/alpine
I’m partial to the hybrids, like the rosewood one https://tensewatch.ca/products/hybrid
Subscribe via email and follow on social media.
https://tensewatch.ca/products/leather-hampton
my boyfriend would die if i won this hahahah
This one is awesome in Rosewood!
https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton-north
Would love this watch in Rosewood!
https://tensewatch.ca/products/washington-north
I really like this one! https://tensewatch.ca/products/washington-north What a great gift idea for the hard to buy for husband!
I love the hybrid https://tensewatch.ca/products/hybrid
Loving the https://tensewatch.ca/products/victoria in dark sandalwood. So beautiful.
fave: https://tensewatch.ca/products/kootenay
tweeted https://twitter.com/LisaEchoEcho/status/802679512043397120
I love this hybrid watch: https://tensewatch.ca/products/hybrid
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TenseWoodenWatches/posts/10206926345951527
Pinned: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/537617274252022300/
Tweet: https://twitter.com/SeedsToHealth/status/802749947858866176
My favourite is https://tensewatch.ca/products/hampton in Walnut/White Dial
I am a subscriber. My favourite watch is the Marmot at https://tensewatch.ca/products/marmot
I like Tense on Facebook and posted: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=185663348562404&id=100013562191616
I follow Tense on Twitter and tweeted: https://twitter.com/wandabee004/status/803056430341386240
such beautiful watches….I think my favourite is the kootenay… in walnut
https://tensewatch.ca/products/kootenay
Beautiful work – my favorite is the kootenay in walnut-
https://tensewatch.ca/products/kootenay
My favourite is the hybrid in Rosegold colour
https://tensewatch.ca/products/hybrid
My favourite watch is the WASHINGTON NORTH
My favourite watch is the WASHINGTON NORTH
My favourite watch is the WASHINGTON NORTH. https://tensewatch.ca/
I really like the Washington North in Dark Sandalwood! https://tensewatch.ca/products/washington-north
This one is my favourite https://tensewatch.ca/products/washington-north
My favourite is the Pacific – https://tensewatch.ca/products/pacific-sale
https://tensewatch.ca/products/hybrid is my favorite in any of the colors.
My favourite Tense watch is the SKU | B5100R-CO Comox in Rosewood.
Ive been wanting a wooden watch for a long time. I love the Metro style. https://tensewatch.ca/products/metro