Sedus Open Up Modern Classic

Overview

The Sedus Open Up Modern Classic is an ultra-premium executive chair that pairs hand-crafted construction—each bearing the signature of the Sedus employee who made it —with soft, full-grain aniline leather . Originally launched as the Open Up in 2000, the chair was expanded in recent years with a Modern Classic Edition and has become even more comfortable , elevating an already award-winning design into a bespoke, artisan-tier product. Made in Germany , the Modern Classic retains the groundbreaking dorsokinetic backrest mechanism and extreme recline that made the standard Open Up famous, but wraps it in luxurious natural materials and plush, stepped upholstery. It's a chair for executives and discerning home-office users who want both ergonomic pedigree and uncompromising tactile refinement.

At a glance

The brand & its philosophy

For over 150 years, Sedus has been developing office solutions designed to enhance people's well-being in the workplace . The German manufacturer, based in Dogern and Geseke, built its reputation on pioneering ergonomics—most notably with the invention of dorsokinetics, a backrest technology first used in the Paris chair in 1987 that allows the backrest to follow rotational and lateral body movements. Before the year 2000, high backrests and armrests in office chairs were distinct hierarchical attributes reserved for upper management. With the market launch of the open up 22 years ago, Sedus broke the mould , democratising executive-level ergonomics.

The Modern Classic sub-collection takes a different tack: high-quality furniture in the Sedus modern classics edition delights with a quality of workmanship that meets the very highest standards. An independent design language, elegant materials and generous comfort will turn any working area into a place of character . This is Sedus addressing clients who prize tangible craft and natural materials as much as biomechanics.

The designer and the design story

Office chairs by Sedus Stoll, designed by Mathias Seiler —the original Open Up was Seiler's work, launched in 2000. Open up is an office swivel chair with a high backrest, headrest, height-adjustable armrests and an unparalleled integrated "Similar" mechanism and dorsokinetics, which was an absolute design highlight in 2000 . The design team, including Michael Kläsener (a Sedus designer), played a key role in realising the chair's formal language and refining the Modern Classic variant. The design language of open up is clear and classic at the same time. The chair is streamlined and efficient and that makes open up unique . Kläsener has explained that the design of open up was created from the front and rear views as well as the side views. While from the rear and front view the office chair speaks rather a strict, graphic language of form, the side view reveals its organic features—characterised by softly running curves that create an association with the contour of the human body .

The chair was awarded five design prizes between 2000 and 2003: The red dot Design Award 2000, the iF Design Award 2001, the Best of NeoCon 2001, the Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany 2002 and the Baden-Württemberg International Design Award 2003 . The Modern Classic edition represents an evolution, not a redesign: high-quality, sustainable glove leather is precisely processed by hand. Thus, each model bears the personal signature of the employee who made it .

Design language & aesthetics

Where the standard Open Up is sleek and business-like—available in mesh or flat upholstery with a polished aluminium base—the Modern Classic dials up luxury and warmth. The soft, full-grain aniline leather with its very special feel retains the natural characteristics of the leather and has an especially high-quality look . The upholstery is thicker and more inviting, with a stepped look of the cushion that effectively underlines additional comfort . Armrest pads are generously dimensioned and match the comfortable upholstery of the backrest and seat in every respect , all wrapped in the same aniline leather.

The aesthetic is executive-traditional rather than tech-forward: rich cognac, black, or dark-brown leather options, a polished aluminium five-star base, and high-quality castors with tread that protect the floor covering and attract admiring glances . It's a chair designed to sit behind a desk in a study lined with books, or anchor a corner office—places where craftsmanship and permanence matter as much as posture.

"How can a superb design be improved on even more? The answer: with real craftsmanship."

Ergonomics & how it supports the body

The Open Up Modern Classic inherits the full ergonomic arsenal of the base Open Up, centred on two Sedus-proprietary mechanisms. This unusual swivel chair features a reclining angle of up to 45 degrees; a value which, when combined with a dorsokinetically suspended backrest, is achieved by no other chair on the market. The flexible backrest connection ideally supports the back during all rotating and lateral movements . The dorsokinetics built into the chair is an invention by Sedus , and it allows the backrest to pivot not just fore-aft but also sideways, tracking shoulder rotation and side-bends without resistance.

Paired with dorsokinetics is the Similar mechanism , which provides the extreme recline. The result is a chair that supports working upright, leaning back to think, and even a near-horizontal "power nap" position— ideal both for taking a short nap and for working with a relaxed posture . Height-adjustable lumbar support is built into the backrest, and the plush leather upholstery adds passive comfort to the active ergonomic support.

Key adjustments & mechanisms

• Seat height: Thick wall gas lift mechanism , adjustable approximately 42–54.5 cm, with mechanical deep suspension to cushion landings.

• Recline / backrest: Similar mechanism, selectable seat tilt , allowing the backrest to tilt up to 45°; spring force is adjustable (45–120 kg user weight) to match body weight and recline resistance preference. The backrest can be locked in any position.

• Dorsokinetics: Dorsokinetic backrest, adjustable backrest pressure ; the backrest pivots multi-directionally to follow turning and lateral movements.

• Lumbar support: Height-adjustable lumbar pad built into the backrest.

• Headrest: Adjustable headrest , upholstered in leather matching the seat and back.

• Armrests: 3D adjustable armrests (height, width, depth), with leather-padded tops.

There is no seat-depth slider or 4D armrest pivot, so very tall users or those who want armrest angle adjustment may find the spec slightly behind Herman Miller or Steelcase flagships. But for most users, the adjustment suite is ample, and the emphasis is on fluid movement rather than granular lock-down.

Materials & build quality

Each open up modern classic is made by hand and bears the signature of the Sedus employee who made it. Made in Germany . The aniline leather is full-grain, meaning it retains the hide's natural texture and breathability—beautiful but also more vulnerable to scratches and patina than pigmented leather. The stepped upholstery uses CFC-free foams , and all covering fabrics comply with OEKO-TEX Standard 100 standards for harmful substances.

The frame and base are built from steel, aluminium and wood, with around two thirds purchased in Germany and almost all the rest from Europe , keeping supply chains short. The chair is produced using 100% green electricity and in accordance with EMAS III Environmental management, DIN ISO 14001 Environmental management, and DIN EN 45001 Occupational safety standards. Galvanisation uses chrome III (not hexavalent chrome), and covers are not glued—facilitating eventual disassembly and recycling. The polished aluminium base and large-diameter castors (65 mm) feel robust and roll smoothly on hard floors or carpet.

Everything about the Modern Classic communicates permanence: thick leather, metal that you can tap, hand-stitched seams. Sedus backs it with a 5-year warranty , and every part is replaceable through Sedus service, supporting long-term repair rather than disposal.

Sitting experience—what it actually feels like day to day

Sitting in the Open Up Modern Classic feels less like strapping into a machine and more like sinking into a well-tailored club chair that happens to have world-class back support. The aniline leather is soft and warm; the stepped cushioning is plush without being marshmallow-soft. Because the backrest follows your torso so fluidly, you're never fighting the chair—lean left to grab a file, twist right to glance at a second screen, and the backrest shadows you. That dorsokinetic articulation is genuinely unusual; most task chairs resist lateral movement or go limp, but the Open Up stays gently supportive through the whole range.

The extreme recline is polarising. Motivation comes from being able to lean back and relax during a hard working day. Switch off and free up your thoughts – no problem when you have open up in the office . Reclined 45 degrees with the headrest cradling your skull, you can genuinely rest—or review documents on a ceiling-mounted monitor. Some users love this; others find a 30-degree Aeron recline sufficient and worry the near-horizontal mode tempts naps during Zoom calls. If you work long, intense days and value mental reset moments, the recline is a revelation; if you prefer upright focus, it's overkill.

Day-to-day comfort is excellent for medium to tall users (up to ~185 cm cited in Sedus spec filters). The leather breathes reasonably well, though on very hot days a mesh chair will be cooler. The 120 kg weight limit and spring-force adjustment mean the chair tunes well across a range of body types, but very light users (<50 kg) may find even the softest spring setting too firm.

Who it's for (and who should skip it)

Best suited for:

• Executives and partners who want a handcrafted, leather-wrapped chair that signals status and taste without ostentation.

• Home-office professionals in dedicated studies or libraries, where the chair doubles as a statement piece of furniture.

• Users who value natural materials—those who prefer the patina and warmth of real leather over synthetic mesh or vinyl.

• Long-session sitters who benefit from the freedom to recline deeply and reset posture throughout the day.

• Fans of European craft and "Made in Germany" provenance, backed by serious environmental and safety certifications.

Think twice if:

• You're on a tight budget. At £3,000+ / €3,500+, the Modern Classic sits well above mainstream ergonomic chairs; the standard Open Up (non-leather, around £1,500–1,800) offers the same mechanisms for less.

• You need maximum adjustability. No seat-depth slider, no 4D armrests, no adjustable seat-pan tilt—power users who dial in every millimetre may prefer a Herman Miller Embody or Steelcase Gesture.

• You run hot. Aniline leather is less breathable than mesh; if you sweat easily, the standard Open Up with membrane back or a mesh alternative (e.g., Sedus Netwin) will be cooler.

• You share the chair. Handcrafted leather wears beautifully for one owner but shows scuffs in multi-user environments; this is a single-user throne, not a hot-desk task chair.

• You're very short or very tall. Users under ~160 cm or over ~190 cm may find seat depth and backrest height less than ideal without a footrest or custom configuration.

Comparisons with key rivals

The Modern Classic occupies a niche: it's more adjustable and ergonomically sophisticated than luxury lounge chairs (e.g., Vitra Grand Executive, Knoll Sapper), but less granularly tunable than pure ergo flagships (Embody, Gesture). It's the chair for someone who wants both worlds—serious back support and handcrafted tactile luxury.

Sizing, fit & configuration options

Adjustable headrest, 2 seat sizes are available in the standard Open Up line; the Modern Classic typically ships in one seat size optimised for the ~160–185 cm user height range common in Europe. Sedus's online configurator walks you through backrest upholstery (leather colours: cognac, black, brown, dark brown), base finish (polished aluminium standard), and castor type (hard floor vs. carpet). Armrests are 3D leather-padded as standard.

Because each chair is made to order and hand-signed, lead times can run 6–10 weeks. Sedus dealers can request custom configurations (e.g., different leather sources, bespoke stitching), though this pushes price and wait time higher still. The chair is not available off-the-shelf at big-box retailers; purchase through authorised Sedus partners or high-end contract furniture dealers.

Sustainability & certifications

Sedus takes a holistic, transparent approach to sustainability. The Open Up Modern Classic is produced using 100% green electricity and in accordance with EMAS III Environmental management, DIN ISO 14001 Environmental management, and DIN EN 45001 Occupational safety standards. Materials meet OEKO-TEX Standard 100 for upholstery fabrics , and the chair holds GREENGUARD certification for low chemical emissions, plus TÜV Ergonomics Approved, GS Safety, TOXPROOF, Quality Office, and AGR (Aktion gesunder Rücken – Campaign for Healthier Backs) certifications.

Sedus purchases around two thirds of the steel, aluminium and wood required to produce products in Germany and almost all the rest from Europe, helping to avoid long delivery routes whilst boosting the local economy . Leather is sourced from Germany or Austria , and the company's Green Codex emphasises repair, refurbish, reuse, and recycling— covers are not glued into place , making disassembly straightforward. Sedus publishes Environmental Product Information (EPI) sheets for transparency and participates in PEFC-certified wood sourcing and FEMB Level 3 circular-economy certification.

Maintenance, durability & warranty

Aniline leather requires more care than synthetic upholstery: wipe spills immediately, condition the leather every few months with a suitable leather balm, and keep the chair out of direct sunlight to prevent fading. The natural grain will develop a patina over time—some see this as character, others as wear. Sedus recommends vacuuming seams and using only pH-neutral cleaners; harsh chemicals can strip the leather's protective oils.

Mechanically, the chair is built to last. The warranty period is 5 years , and Sedus customer service can replace any component—gas lift, armrest pads, upholstery panels, castors. The modular construction and non-glued covers mean parts can be swapped without scrapping the entire chair. User reviews on German forums (Amazon.de) report chairs still in daily service after 10+ years with only minor upholstery refresh.

Durability is high if you treat the leather with respect. If you're rough on furniture or work in a messy environment, the standard Open Up in a tougher fabric or the Sedus Crossline series may be wiser long-term choices.

Pricing, value & where it sits in the market

Pricing for the Open Up Modern Classic is opaque and dealer-dependent. UK retailer listings show £2,933.71 as a recent figure; European sites quote €3,400–4,000+ depending on configuration. The standard Open Up (mesh or fabric, non-handmade) runs around £1,495–1,583 , so the Modern Classic commands roughly double for the handcrafted leather treatment.

Is that premium justified? You're paying for German hand assembly, natural aniline leather, a signed certificate of craftsmanship, and the intangible prestige of owning a bespoke object. Compared to mass-produced Herman Miller or Steelcase chairs, the Modern Classic offers a different value proposition: fewer micro-adjustments, but far more sensory and emotional appeal. It's less a "tool" and more a piece of furniture with soul. For clients furnishing a partner's office, a CEO suite, or a personal library, that distinction matters. For a corporate procurement manager buying 200 task chairs, it does not—stick with the standard Open Up or a Steelcase Leap.

Value is subjective here. If you see chairs purely as ergonomic appliances, £3,000 is hard to justify when an Aeron Remastered does 90% of the job for £1,200. If you care about materials, provenance, and the pleasure of sitting in something beautiful, the Modern Classic is one of the few chairs that delivers executive luxury without sacrificing serious ergonomic function.

Verdict—the bottom line

The Sedus Open Up Modern Classic is a rare bird: a hand-signed, leather-wrapped executive chair with genuinely advanced ergonomic engineering under the hood. It marries the sensory richness of aniline leather and artisan construction with Sedus's proprietary dorsokinetic backrest and extreme 45-degree recline—mechanisms that most luxury chairs omit. The result is a chair that feels as good to touch as it does to sit in for eight hours, and that supports your back through twists, reaches, and deep reclines with uncommon fluidity.

It's not for everyone. The price is steep, the leather demands care, and the adjustment set is less granular than pure ergo flagships. But for executives, home-office professionals, and design-conscious buyers who want a chair that looks and feels like a piece of fine furniture—yet still earns TÜV, AGR, and GREENGUARD badges—the Modern Classic is one of the few options that truly bridges craft and science.

"Freedom of movement creates freedom for ideas—that was and still is the intention of open up."