Finland…

Just let that settle in for a few moments. I myself lived and worked in Finland for four years in the late 90’s.  Some of the most cutting edge design out there – the birth place of the Aaltosand Saarinen, but not necessarily the place you would look for the next wave of master watch makers.  Beautiful endless summer days, and dark, (seemingly) endless winter nights, it seems fitting that such a place would have given birth to one of the most talked about watch makers today.  And safe to say, he has a great sense of humor!

And now, a few minutes with Stepan Sarpaneva…

James Henderson – What was your first watch?  Was it a gift, is there a story behind it?

Stepan Sarpaneva – The first one was a pocket watch made from the old part of my motorcycle (kickstart pinion) 1999. l made the watch from it because it just looked so beautiful (the pinion that is). 

JH – A bit about yourself please – You come from a family of craftsmen.  Can you share a bit about “the family business”?

SS – My father was a jewellery designer, my great grandfather was a blacksmith.  It is safe to say that I feel that I have the “must to do something” in my blood.

JH – When you were a boy – what did you want to be when you “grew up”?

SS –  A Spaceman

JH – Where did you go to school – what did you study?

SS – I did the standard schools in Finland, and attended watchmaking school (1989-1992) in Finland.  I attended Wostep courses in 1994 and 1997 in Neuchatel, Switzerland.

JH – Who else is making watches that excite you?

SS – For me it is more a preference for some particular models rather than specific brands and watch makers. Having said that, I do of course appreciate the AP Royal Oak, and Patek Philippe’s Nautilus……

JH – You still live and work in Finland, correct?  Any thoughts about re-locating to Switzerland?

SS – That would be a Very good idea…

JH – What do you like to do in your “down-time”?

SS – I have an old house that has to be repaired, I have a motorcycle but no time to ride it.  I have a family too.

JH – What are some of the biggest challenges you face in being independent?

SS – It is always difficult to survive when the company is very small, at least it is here in Finland. Among other challenges we have BIG TAXES!

JH – No thoughts of ever working for someone else?

SS – I am open for everything.

JH – So what exactly is it that makes a Sarpaneva watch unique?

SS – Maybe you better tell me?

JH – and of course I have to ask – greatest Finnish runner of all time – Paavo Nurmi or Lasse Virén?

SS – Neither!  It would be my grandfather, he just did not have a chance because he did have to spent his best years at war.

JH – If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?

SS – A Spaceman

JH –  Is there another young Finnish master waiting in the wings?

SS – Who knows?  Time will tell.

JH – What advice do you have for the next wave of young independent watch makers?

SS – It’s too late!  Better apply to NASA!

Check out Stepan’s movie on YouTube: