Every time I write about the independent brands and watchmakers I think about the personal side of it. That’s the advantage of the Independent Watchmaking – you can put a person and a face to it. I like to know the people behind, to understand them and to make the entire experience a closer, more familiar one. Like a friend, you may say. And it’s very usual that the collectors are close to the watchmakers or more, close friends: some watches are a result of a dream translated into reality.
That’s why I used the opportunity, writing about the Daredevil Watches, to ask Mr Stepan Sarpaneva the questions that popped in my mind.
Q: I was fascinated from the beginning by the Moon’s face from your watches. Where does it come from and how long did you need till final form?
A: Something mixed old school Moon Face in Modern more 3 dimensional way….The Design.. from my mind.
I am happy to notice that the big names still use the traditional Moon face, like in the vintage watches. As an example the Breguet Classique 8787.
Q: Are you a collector? If yes, what is your grail? If not, as a watchmaker, what is your favourite Haute Horlogerie calibre?
A: I have watches, cannot use them – have to wear my own! I like a lot older Genta designs, Grönefeld Remontoir caliber is one of the top ones lately…
I want to mention the collaboration between Mr Sarpaneva and Max Büsser: The Moonmachine – “available in three limited editions of 18 pieces each: natural titanium case with white gold moon faces and light blue sky, black titanium case with white gold moon faces and dark blue sky, and red gold case with red gold moon faces and anthracite sky. Three-dimensional horological engine designed by Jean-Marc Wiederrecht/Agenhor; powered by a Sowind base, modified by Stepan Sarpaneva, DLC coated and star-pieced steel and 22k gold automatic winding rotor, hour and minutes information transmitted via ceramic ball bearings to rotating domes. (319 components / 36 jewels)” – MB&F
Gerald Genta designs are not only beautiful, but most of them are iconic and very well known: Patek Phillippe Nautilus, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and others. My favourite Genta design will remain the Mickey Mouse Watch.
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| Gerald Genta BSP.Y.80 – Titanium Mickey Watch |
The 1941 Remontoire from Grönefeld brothers is a lovely watch with a beautiful movement and an extraordinary complication explained in detail here.
I would like to thank Mr Sarpaneva for his time.
Please visit the Sarpaneva Website for more information about the Sarpaneva Watch Collection. More information about the Grönefeld Watches can be found on the Grönefeld Website.
There is a lovely smartphone app – Sarpaneva Moon on Google Play and iTunes App Store with live wallpaper and smartwatch face. I use it, I like it, looks great and I recommend it.
