Horological Meandering

So - I promised to share some images of my new Stepan Sarpaneva Korona K3 "Red Moon" so here they are.

Initial thoughts -

- Love the size - a bit bigger than it appears in pictures measuring in at 44mm but nice and thin.

- The box is ingenious using two small magnets to hold the bottom to the top. I say it this way because you tend to grab the box by the top, and the bottom stays attached until you pull with just the right pressure.

- Black is more grey, and rose moon is more pinkish. Works well with the included grey strap. I was expecting a more black black, and rosier rose, but the final product is actually nicer in it's slightly less contrasting colors.

- the mechanics (on the back in particular) are wonderful even if one tend to look at the moons mostly. Take the time to look at the movement, the finishing, and the way in which the gears play against the dial on the front and counterweight plate on the back. I have tried to capture this in the photos. Even the added coloring of the steel movement with the black case and rose gold moon.

- I have been asked several times already if the case is PVD - it is not. There is more information on Stepan's site and the recent press release.

- The case and crown have elegant and modern curves that seem to call out to each other and hark back to some of Stepan's earlier pieces. On the crown, the intended "gear" shape is obvious, on the dial less so, but still enough to make the piece feel "mechanical".

- The tip of the hands are either a slightly different color, or reflect differently. In either case, when looking directly at the dial, you can sometime not see the tips of the hands. I noticed however, that when wearing, I can easily glance at the watch from an angle (the normal "glance at a watch angle") and see the hands clearly.

Here are a few images - hope you enjoy!

I love Sarpaneva's moonface. Congrats and wear it in the best of health!

- SJX

I'm no magnetic flux maven but anyone know how much (or little) magnets in the presentation box may affect the mechanical watch movement without soft iron core protection?

 Scott: Nice pictures BTW.

Regards,

MTF

This message has been edited by MTF on 2008-10-20 02:43:13

... practically all mechanical watches are "antimagnetic" according to the (German) industrial standard 8309: the daily deviation of a mechanical watch with a movement larger than 20mm must be under +/- 30 sec. per day, after an exposure to a magnetic field of 6 mT (4,800 A/m). I doubt that the two small magnets reach this strength.

Best regards,
Marcus

Hi All,

I think Marcus is right that the two (four?) little magnets in the box are small enough that they are not likely to cause a problem, but certainly if you put them right up against the watch it would cause it to go funny in short order. I've told this anecdote several times already but it bears repeating I think: A friend left a watch with anti-magnetic shielding laying down on a cell phone case with a magnetic closure over night (or at least for a few hours) and it caused it to run +30 s/d. After demagnetizing it was back to +1 s/d. Nivarox is only marginally resistant to magnetism and most anti-magnetic shielding is only marginally effective on top of that. Still, tiny magnets at a distance of more than a couple inches is not gonna magnetize your watch.

_john

the distance between the watch (mounted) and the magnet is at least 44mm.  Very likely to be saved besides Marcus's explanation.

Also are the magnets mounted on the box-cover or the stand?

If it is on the box cover, just keep it away

Kong

I always appreciate the moon phase of Sarpaneva K3 , the daring design , and hope that the case would be daring too

Your previous comment " ....But the case 's design is too normal, it would not be suitable with the spirit of dial , the adjustment of case and lug would bring more effect."

Thanks.

Kong

Hi Kong ,

Open work, dial of K3 is impressive with sunburst pattern , angry face ,3D moon phase underneath skeleton dial is impressive too . The design of  them are contemporary , rough and daring, they look strong and pure . The case , especially the lugs seem do not follow that spirit , they are classic design , smooth with the curve . I think the case , lugs would be made more stronger ,and rough , or other option is : case should be made very thin to create the feeling that the dial spread whole the face .

Beside that , the stronger looking trap like carbon fiber strap (or leather with carbon fiber pattern   should be more suitable than the croco leather .

Just my thought .

IMHO, Sarpaneva K2 and K3 are very distinctive in their appearance.

Sarpaneva has daring case design watch - Supernova.  My complaint is that the case is too small.  It should be at least 42mm.

This K3 has a red angry face - scary.  This watch is not meant for everybody who has weak heart.

Regards

Ling

 

Nice pics.

After looking at a side-view  picture, the case looks too thin (below 10mm) for the character of the watch - the dial.
At 44mm,  could be thicker, and provide more depth to the dial.

Interesting dial work...any closeup, SBS?

The box-cover was intentionally tapered towards the end, look like some effort has been placed designing the box....perhaps next round might integrate a winder with it.

Kong

i think i'd be quite happy to leave one of the moon faces in full display just for the look of it. i know its just a watch with moonphase, but the spiders web look of the dial really makes it different to the norm.

thanks for the review

Graham

All of the files are very hi rez so I'll made a few crops and post the original size as well so folks can zoom in...files at home so will post later tonight

cheers

No message body

Congrats!  Nice review.  The RG moonphase is lovely.  Here is her WG sibling.

George

... The second from last picture above seems to show a reversed moon face (nose and lips set back, eyes forward). This is the opposite of the other moon. Is where on the watch is this moon?

 

Gaz

The black gold plating  may need to be longer....see the 6th/7th pictures from the bottom...  some perlage areas not covered.

The moon-faces are well-made...high definition!

Congrats Scott.

Kong

I love the Face of the Moon!

It's a bit like a Mask!

As for the whole watch, defintely a watch to be seen in the flesh, but what I see from your pics make me willing to see it in the flesh.

I appreciate a lot the contrast between the Black Greyish Dial and the Pinkie Moon phase, the " sulpture look " of the dial....

Thanks for this photo essay, SBS!

Best.

Nicolas

The best of all the Sarpans....except the Supernova. I always think the stainless steel without the DLC makes it standout even more. And i can see an up and coming watch reaching there very soon Sarpan has proven itself with its quality and unique ideas. Bound to be catching collectors heart

Red moon is striking of course, like the others black on gold movement but i still like the above SS version. Any chance with diamonds?=P You be surprise it will look damn good, if well set 

 

 

 

 

Regards

Just in case anyone wondering what is Supernova, here is a little wrist shot refreshment Stunning design.

Watch belong to Stepan, not mine And, "Industrial Art" is the word i'd use to describe Stepans' watches.

 

 

 

 

 

Regards

No message body

... while optically, I prefer the moonphase, the date version is a bit more practical. Personally, though, I would ask Stepan to add some SuperLuminova to the hands' arrowheads, this would make the watch legible at night, and also help the hands to stand out in front of the "dial" a bit better.

Regards,
Marcus

while there are already 4 layers to the dial, I would love to see a moon and date version. Would be tricky, with the date wheel needing to go behind the moon, but still be readable. That would be the ultimate for me as I agree, date is more useful.

yeap, some luminor would be interesting idea  . It seem can make some good variation base on the good design K3 .

Or at least your keyboard. 

 

Gaz

Great review and great pics.

Thanks.

Best.

Emilio.