Fate of Cosmos
Sarpaneva Supernova
A supernova marks the end of one era, but it also signals the birth of another. By naming this watch "Supernova," I’m signaling a pivotal moment in Sarpaneva Watches - one where everything changes, and nothing is quite the same again.
Stepan Sarpaneva - Year 2006
The evolved Supernova - a timepiece reborn.
The Sarpaneva Supernova draws its inspiration from the raw, intricate energy of the universe - its complexity, its power, its unyielding beauty.
Wearing the Supernova is like carrying a piece of the universe on your wrist, a constant reminder of the forces that shape time itself. A true masterpiece, it’s more than just a watch - it’s a glimpse into the infinite.
When a star exhausts its fuel, it detonates in a brilliant explosion. Similarly, this watch represents a transformation, a rebirth in the world of fine timepieces.
Little Bear illuminates Finland’s northern sky
The classic Northern Light dial returns. Following autumn’s somber harvest, nature is swiftly overtaken by the harsh winter that follows. As the world darkens, only the constellation of the Little Bear illuminates Finland’s northern sky. Inspired by this poignant and evocative time of year, Stepan launched two variations of his K3 collection on the first liberating day of 2011’s spring, each adorned with diamonds shaped like the Little Bear. One model captured the essence of the coldest winter day with a blue-sky dial, while the other reflected the darkest nights of Finland’s winter, with a deep black dial.
“It is about the Northern Stars, which I can see during the coldest moments of the Finnish winter, when I look up at the sky from my workshop window.”
Magnetar Turbine
Spiral Galaxy Caseback
Inspired by the rare and powerful explosion of a magnetar, this timepiece captures the intensity of one of the universe’s most awe-inspiring phenomena. The magnetic flares that erupt from these stars also give rise to the mesmerizing auroras we see on Earth. The first " turbine " design was created already 2003 for the Sarpaneva Oiva. Now in redesigned form in the latest Supernova.
...Some even say it has the power to predict the Northern Lights. Is it myth or reality? Only the daring few will ever discover the truth....
Cosmic Mirage
Just as exploding stars are fundamental to the universe and the creation of life, our watches are crafted with precision and purpose, designed to stand the test of time. The same elements forged in stellar explosions are reflected in the durability and sophistication of each timepiece. These watches are more than just instruments—they are a connection to the origins of life and the ever-moving force of time. Wear a piece of that story.
Made in traditional manner. Steel is real
“I cannot explain how it looks and feels to me, but it is impossible to get
the same feelings with wood or glass. I have always liked, even preferred the ‘essence’ of steel-cased watches, as it fits with my desire for simplicity and the beauty you find in basic materials and designs – whether inspired by manmade or natural elements.”
The small dial opening challenges us to traditional methods, while still prioritizing legibility. It’s a delicate balance, much like the gold Moonfaces, which makes its return in the Supernova model for the first time. The half-smiling, half-scowling Sarpaneva Moon takes shape over a complex process.
“The Moon bothers me; even if I cannot see it, I can feel it. During the Full Moon
and New Moon, I’m especially sensitive... I sleep badly. Am I cursed?”
The first step requires creating a drawing six-times actual size, followed by cutting a rough model from plate stock, one piece corresponding to each level of elevation of the oversized model. These parts are then fixed together to form the model plate for the pantograph, which will mill the various shapes into a small piece of copper the actual size of the Moonface. This copper version, which will serve later as an electrode, is then cleaned up and ‘fine-tuned’ by a master engraver before the contours are electro-etched into a steel-pressing block, creating a negative image of the face. Last but not least, the eyes are modelled by hand into the negative image and the whole is finished by a master engraver and diamond-polished before undergoing hardening, followed by yet another polishing.
“Simple, really!
Big, powerful machines are used to prototype and eventually make small, painstaking details in Stepan’s watches – many at engineering firms in Helsinki itself, rather than the usual route of outsourcing component manufacture to Switzerland. The dial parts are made by us, the hands are Stainless Steel and finished to perfection without cutting corners. Well, we do – but then it is about polishing, beveling, black polishing and matting.
note: all pics from Prototype watches
