Welcoming SARPANEVA to Horology By The Sea
My personal story with SARPANEVA goes back to Basel 2008 when I found myself clicking links of the year's Novelties on the Timezone forum. One such link was that of a watchmaker I was previously unfamiliar with- Stepan Sarpaneva. Seeing Stepan's watch on the screen for the first time I quite literally exclaimed, "WHOA!!!" aloud... I had literally never seen anything so arresting and powerful in all my years examining watches.
The Korona K3 Red Moon from 2008... the watch that forever changed my idea of Watchmaking and Design.
Who is Stepan Sarpaneva?
Stepan Sarpaneva was born in 1970 into a family steeped in Finnish craftsmanship—his father, Pentti Sarpaneva, was a jewelry designer, and his uncle, Timo Sarpaneva, was an acclaimed artist and designer. This creative lineage shaped Stepan's path. He graduated from the Finnish School of Watchmaking and later honed his skills in Switzerland at WOSTEP (the prestigious Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Educational Program). From 1994 to 2003, he worked for elite maisons including Piaget, Parmigiani Fleurier, Vianney Halter, and Christophe Claret, specializing in complex complications before starting his Independent eponymous brand in 2003.
A Glimpse into the Sarpaneva Universe
Sarpaneva watches are known for their distinctive aesthetic, often featuring bold, industrial-inspired cases married with incredibly intricate, almost organic dials. Stepan is not just a watchmaker; he's an artisan, a sculptor, and storyteller who weaves Nordic myth and raw emotion into his timepieces.
A bespoke "Super1" with matte blasted stainless steel case and broze colored dial which was aged by hand.
And then, of course, there are the moons! Stepan's iconic moon faces, each individually hand-finished, are imbued with a whimsical yet haunting quality, often bearing a striking resemblance to Stepan himself!
Every Sarpaneva watch is produced in incredibly limited numbers with an approximate annual production of approximately 60 timepieces.
Below: The "Supernova Moonphase" crafted from high-grade Outokumpu stainless steel from Finland (SUPRA 316L/4435).
I am beyond thrilled to welcome Stepan and Sarpaneva Watches to the family here at Horology By The Sea. Please email brandon@horologybythesea.com or call 760-815-1659 if you wish to commission a Sarpaneva timepiece or book a private viewing.
Cheers,
Brandon
