Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Back to Basics for the Finnish Watchmaker with the Sarpaneva Supermoon
A tribute to the original Korona K3, a classic of Stepan's design that's been subtly updated.
If I were asked which is the most emblematic watch ever created by Sarpaneva, my answer would be immediate, resolute and irreversible. It has to be the Korona, and to be even more precise, the Korona K3 with its openworked dial and partially visible double-moonface underneath. First presented in 2008 by Finnish watchmaker Stepan Sarpaneva, this watch summarizes everything. It doesn’t get any better. Today, this discreet watchmaker presents a faithful tribute to the K3, the Sarpaneva Supermoon, with subtle yet significant updates.
The defining elements of the Sarpaneva Korona collection, which includes the classic time-and-date Korona K1 and the moon-equipped Korona K3, are the signature scalloped case and the grid-like openworked dial. With the K3, Stepan added his signature moon complication with an oversized rotating disc below the dial featuring two moon faces. His stylized celestial body has become more than just a design element but the brand’s logo and signature shape.
The original Korona K3 was first presented 16 years ago, in 2008, and has not aged a bit since its introduction. Nevertheless, this year, Stepan Sarpaneva has decided to pay tribute to this essential watch by relaunching it with some updates.
The Sarpaneva Supermoon, as it is now named, feels very familiar. It is housed in the original Korona-style case, with its scalloped sides and combination of sharp angles and concave/convex shapes. Fairly restrained in its dimensions, the 42mm diameter is compensated by a relative thinness of 11.4mm and a length of just 46mm. The brushed and polished case is made from high-grade Outokumpu stainless steel from Finland, equipped with sapphire crystals on both sides, a screw-down crown at 4 o’clock and water-resistant to 100m.
What matters most is the dial. This limited edition Sarpaneva Supermoon is not only a celebration of the original Korona K3 but also shows how enduring Stepan’s design was – despite its remarkable originality. Again, the design of the dial feels familiar, but significant changes have been made. The skeletonized grid, made from a hand-finished steel element, now has a different pattern which radiates from the lower moon opening. The hour markers also vary in size and are larger on top. This can be explained by the increased size of the moon faces, which are made from engraved white gold and now measure 12mm in diameter. The current state of the moon is displayed in the opening at 6 o’clock, while the other moon disc is partially revealed underneath the grid, adding a touch of nostalgia and mystery – like a moon appearing through the branches in a forest at night.
Time is indicated by Sarpaneva’s signature two-tone hands, with polished and matte surfaces, enhancing legibility despite the complexity of the dial. Under the sapphire back, wound by a skeletonized rotor with a white gold moon and weights, is a modified Soprod A10 automatic base with an in-house moon phase module on top.
The Sarpaneva Supermoon can be delivered on a selection of leather straps in various colours and skins. Also available is Sarpaneva’s Moonbridge steel bracelet. A limited edition of 12 pieces, this Korona K3 tribute is a true collector’s watch that retails for EUR 19,000 (excl. taxes). For more details, please visit studiosarpaneva.com.
