Independents

Some time prior to 1968, a distinguished jewellery designer met a very lovely young lady. She became his muse and his partner; he made jewellery which could not have looked any better than when it was worn by her: They settled down and had children toget...  

a great post and so is the watch. Congrats! To be honest I was not convinced from the beginning ... ... until I tried it on :-) Oliver ...  

It is remarkably comfortable, isn't it? Probably a combination of the short lugs and very flexible strap. Looks good with your suit! :-) Cheers, pplater.

It is excellent. I was like you until I visited Stefan in his atelier and observed the quality and unique design of his watches. I then worked with Stefan over the next 6 months creating the subtle changes in my watch. I was and still remain "shocked" at ...  

I've never seen one in the flesh so the size concerns me a little but I obviously have a little something for the moon, even my cat is called Moon..!! But I do like the cufflinks... can you get these from them directly..? Yours dude, Andy.

The watch wears smaller than its size: as you can see, the case is scalloped inwards and the hour markers are set in from the rim. Give it a go. As for the links: email Stepan if you're interested. He almost always responds immediately. Heck, he'd probabl... 

I will def try to see one in the flesh, but will get in touch and ask about the cufflinks :) When are you over here again.?? Speak soon dude.

...isn't it your turn? When are YOU going to come over HERE??? The fish here is at least the equal of turbot, and we have plenty to go around! :-) Cheers, pplater.

and as you have Turbot how could I refuse :) One day my friend....one day :) I think I'll have to do a Purists trip and stop off everywhere....now that sounds like a plan..!! Speak soon dude.

Loved the back-story, the history and finally the timepiece. A wonderful juxtaposition of attributes on this one - the moonphase is just plain cool. Look forward to seeing more scans as you get to know one another. Darren

People are starting to talk! :-) :-) Cheers, pplater.

They say that all great artists are a little mad, Nico. On that basis, Stepan is the next Picasso! ;-) Cheers, pplater.

Pplater, As usual, you shine. Never ever considered this watch ... Until now. Great history. Cheers, Nilo

You could do a lot worse than consider a Sarpaneva seriously: in this day and age they represent terrific value, and they're anything but boring! Cheers, pplater.

I love this model and working with Stepan is always a pleasure. It really looks great on your wrist and it is cool to see more Uniikkis now being born. Congrats! Andrew

...to follow your lead in all such things, Andrew (but perhaps not your dance moves!). You have shown what may be achieved if one simply has the presence of mind to ask the question. Any hints about the pieces that must already be on your production line?... 

took years to master ;-). I always think no harm in asking... the worst they can say... putting it politely... No! Sneak peak on future creations... well they all include a special colour, a few indies in there and a REALLY cool piece I am super excited a... 

First and foremost by the fact that you my dear pplater went through this incredible experience,and the outcome is just amazing. Like our friend Andrewluff did before ,creating a unikki must be so rewarding,especially if the relation is with a special per... 

...genuine, generous and truly passionate. It would be delicious to hear the whole story of the 'inking', and whether the next tattoo will be traded for a Stepan piece! (Those who are still 'missing' the thrust of what we are saying are invited to read th... 

Once more you have proven yourself to be a true friend of the Independents, a man of impeccable taste, and at the same time far from a slave to convention. We still need to arrange those friendship watches...B Best, Gary

...to carry your bags to the ground, as friends of Independents go: your lead is a constant source of wonder and encouragement. As for that friendship watch? We know 'what'; we know 'who': what we don't know is 'when' or 'how much'! We really should conce... 

Pplater thanks for another good post This will make Inde lovers to revisit "mad moon" artist Congrats !!

What about yourself? Not mad enough for you? :-) Cheers, pplater.

but my finger cramped and did not pull the trigger yet.....lol

about the making of a "crazy" time piece:) I think all great creators are a little crazy, some more than others:) didn't know that some horologers went to the length of adapting a moon for the southern hemisphere! Very diligent of them:) Cheers, Francois

...no Antipodean should be without one! :-) It is a shame that you were unable to attend the local 'reveal' a couple of weeks ago: we missed you. Hopefully you are on the mend? Cheers, pplater.

wear a moon phase time piece showing "only" the moon phase for the "podiean":):) Personally ! I think that the problem of Southern Hemisphere/Northern Hemisphere moon "problem" is quite simple. Just add one more, no, two clogs! I am getting better tank yo... 

Thanks for that superb post. I like his watches but when I think Sarpaneva, I automatically think of the astonishing Supernova, it went so fast through the watch galaxy. :) Francois

Try saying 'Sarpaneva Supernova' after a few social lubricants! :-) It did however deserve a picture - apologies for that omission. Here it is again: Cheers, pplater. ...  

What a strong watch !

It also shows the moon phase Down Under - as does the Loiste II - if no way like this! Your stereo-moon Wuoksi turned out just great - as did your report! Not being a traveler of the antipodes, I am completely happy with my mono version. So I can admire b... 

Usually, it is quite boring. Perhaps, I have read too much about him and his creations. Here, you manage to couch it into such an interesting story. Regards Ling

...that matters a lot - thank you very much for that high compliment. Cheers, pplater.

all the way through with interruption from bloody students... Frankly after seeing first two pictures and reading first two paragraphs I thought that you are finally revealing your true identity :) Awesome & joyful post...only thing I would like to as... 

The answer lies in the post. The positioning of the moon cutouts meant that Stepan had to design a new 'grate' for the dial. To have the Sarpaneva nameplate elsewhere on the dial would have 'cluttered' the watch. It was Stepan's kind suggestion, especiall...  

I never mentioned the dial ;) Sincerely Damjan

Thanks for taking the time to do it. I've enjoyed reading it. Love some of his creations. cheers vte

to a new watch! Great post! If it were me, I would only write: "It's beautiful, it's black and shiny, here look at the pictures. Thanks." enviously, cen@jkt

...speak thousands of words. We each do the best we can with what we have. Thank you for your kind comments. Cheers, pplater.

...Thanks for sharing ! Puts me firmly back into 'I really should just order that piece I've been discussing with Stepan' mode... :-) Cheers, Rob

Make the call! After all, the cost (for example) is little more than an air ticket home, or perhaps the same as a buckle for one of those fancy wrist-racing-machine-thingies... ;-) Cheers, pplater.

And a very interesting watch! Cazalea

Well done and very interesting. JerryW

To me, more so than some of the other creations of Stepan's imagination, this has an mysterious, yet enchanting, quality to it.

...those coasters. Quite fascinated by them. Perhaps one day I will have a 'regular' sized Sarpaneva moon but in the meantime, I love my pendant :) A grand post, pplater.

place a tumbler of malt whisky - or better Jaloviina - on a coaster, peer into the depths lit by a single flickering candle, and watch the story come to life. Repeat several times with a different coaster until the candle burns out. Don't try this at New ... 

You don't want to miss the addition to my previous post, so that we can go coasting along together! Kippis !!! amerix

Who better to ask than The Man himself? Stepan mailed me this reply: "Kippis Amery, Kippis! We use skål too if we are too drunk to say kippis? Hölky kölkyn works also." Practise makes perfect! amerix

and I've still fallen on the floor. :) Well done. Regards, Richard.

And I know of all in this August forum, you would be the one who would enjoy and appreciate Sarpaneva's creations. Wear in good health Best, Horo