Finland produces superb watchmakers. No idea why, but two of my favorite Independent Watchmakers are Finns. The famous Kari V. has had much written about him over the past years and I've had the pleasure of getting to know him professionally and personally for several years now. I have fond memories of a brilliant dinner in Basel with Kari and John McGonigle a couple of years ago. These guys were exhibiting for the first time over in the Palace (the tent) across the street in a little park from Hall 2.0, where the AHCI stand is.
Entrance to the Palace
Inside the Palace, Kari & Stepan share a stand with friends. Other than the AHCI, this is where you'd find me.
I did get to handle one of the most exquisite pieces with Kari, the stunning Japanese lacquered dial & caliber Vingt-8...a testament to two schools of art.
Just superlative workmanship! Wow, wow I could look at this for hours, especially under a loupe.
Being Kari, he typically only has a watch or two on display, as his tiny production is highly sought after and he doesn't have stock piece lying around waiting for clients to hopefully buy them. Different and enviable position as compared to most big brands, whose over production is causing sleepless nights I'm sure for some.
Two tables over, in the corner is the other Finn, Stepan Sarpaneva. Having worked with him for many years now, I have forged a very good relationship with this master of the moon. As he freely mentions, a full moon causes him restless nights, so his watches reflect this important celestial body. Last year Stepan collaborated with James Thompson, whose industrial art/jewelry company Black Badger Advanced Composites utilizes amazing luminous materials, and they created the Northern Lights series. Twenty Four pieces in total, which sold out during the fair. As I only ordered one piece with the blue lume dial last year, I was eager to see this years collaborative effort with James. This year with last year's over subscribed series, Stepan decided to create a few more pieces thankfully, and the Korona K0 Seasons was revealed in all it's glory.
Winter on the wrist in day light
Winter glowing after charging with sunlight.
Four colors, 20 pieces for each Season; Teal-Spring, Green-Summer, Purple-Autumn & Blue-Winter. Preserving the exclusivity of early adopters for the Northern Lights, Stepan made this model a Time Only version. His iconic Moon Face is the case back, rather than the previous effort where it was the moophase.
Autumn with a wild frogskin strap and DLC matt black and shiny DLC gold combination case-daylight
Autumn glowing after charging with UV light, this only charges with UV!
These watches will not last long I predict, and I ordered several in Blue & Green. I'm not sure I ordered enough! I'll see ;-) The other piece I fell in love with, owing to it's white enamel dial and blued steel time telling grate over laying the enamel, is the exceedingly limited K1 Emali.
The very rare K1 Emali, limited to 8 pieces...if he ever makes them all!
Spring-with matt black DLC coating on the steel case in daylight. This one glows teal, I didn't snap a pic, so take my word please.
I bid Stepan farewell and headed out to my next stop...