STEPAN SARPANEVA
FOUNDER & WATCHMAKER
SARPANEVA WATCHES
“I don’t have routines. Maybe that’s the magic; there’s no routine. It’s all over the place. From morning till evening. Sometimes during the night.”
Stepan Sarpaneva, born in February 1970 in Turku, Finland, is a cult favourite watchmaker renowned for his unique designs and deep ties to Finnish culture. He graduated from the Finnish School of Watchmaking in 1992 and further honed his skills at the International Watchmaking School WOSTEP in Switzerland. Stepan’s career includes working with brands like Piaget, Parmigiani Fleurier and Vianney Halter before founding Sarpaneva Watches in 2003.
In his Helsinki workshop, Stepan draws inspiration from Finnish mythology and landscapes. His designs often incorporate elements from local folklore, such as the Näkki, a mythical water spirit, and other legendary creatures. Stepan also draws significant inspiration from the moon, a central theme in many of his creations. The renowned Sarpaneva Moonface series features a tridimensional moon phase, capturing the moon’s mysterious allure and various phases with intricate detailing. The moon’s influence on Stepan’s work is profound, symbolising both the passage of time and the celestial beauty he aims to encapsulate in his watches. The Midnight Sun watch, for example, represents the perpetual daylight of Northern Finland during summer and incorporates a unique 24-hour complication, reflecting Stepan’s fascination with natural phenomena.