It’s been roughly 9 months since I bought my ‘grail-watch’, a Korona K1 from the Finnish watchmaker Sarpaneva. So enough experience to sit down and write about this watch that’s been almost constantly on my wrist for almost 9 months.

In May of last year it was finally time. The months before had been an intense period. Of course a decision like this was not made overnight, so long lists of potential watches had to be narrowed down. Or maybe the decision was not so difficult, it was just me having difficulty with spending so much money on a watch.

When my decision was final, the deal was made and a ticket to Helsinki was booked… there’s nothing like buying your watch from the watchmaker who made it… no who designed it! It’s his creation that somehow touched me in such way that I wanted this watch. Wanted it so bad that I sold quite a few other watches to raise the funds.

After nine months of almost continuous wearing my Sarpaneva Korona K1, all I can say is that it was my best decision ever (when it comes to watches). On watch forum PuristS Pro i posted an extensive review about my Korona K1 and how it’s made. I hope my review sheds some light on how special this watch is. Have fun reading the review…

And do let me know what you think of it!

Sarpaneva watches receives two ‘good design’ awards for the Sarpaneva Korona K3 Black Moon. The awards of the Chicago Athenaeum, Museum of Architecture and Design, are for the limited edition of Sarpaneva Korona K3 Black Moon wristwatch and for its product identity.

In August of this year, I already wrote that Sarpaneva was granted the Red Dot Design Award, also for the Korona K3 Black Moon.

Sarpaneva Korona K3 Black Moon

The Good Design Awards where founded in Chicago in 1950 by architects Eero Saarinen, Charles and Ray Eames, and Edgar Kaufmann Jr. It’s one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious competitions for new product design and graphics.

Sarpaneva also developed a Black Moon iPhone app. The Black Moon is the first mechanical wristwatch to indicate the invisible and ever mysterious new moon, the dark opposite of the full moon. According to an ancient legend the seductive temptress, Lillith, preys on unwitting men during the new moon. So if you can’t buy one of the 20 Korona K3 Black Moon watches, the iPhone app is here to warm you in time for the dangers of the new moon.

Sarpaneva Korona K3 Black Moon iPhone app

Download the Black Moon iPhone app from the iTunes store or via Sarpaneva’s website.

Last weekend was the opening of the new Grönefeld Boutique. Getting the chance to talk with watchmakers Bart an Tim Grönefeld, John McGonigle, Peter Speake-Marin and Kees Engelbarts was of course not something to miss.

It was a rare moment that the Netherlands where covered in snow. Traffic and road administrations where not ready for the snowy and slippery road, so it was long, long ride… Finally after 5 hours driving (usually 2 hours) i arrived at the Grand Opening of the Grönefeld Boutique. I was just in time to join the watchmakers and other guests for the evening program. And what a program it was… Read my report at the AHCI and Independent forum of The PuristS Pro.

The opening’s report was also posted at the PuristS Pro’s front page as the latest blog story. Since the opening was not the usual opening with bubbles and dinner in a restaurant with at least 1 Michelin star. Nothing wrong with such an opening, don’t get me wrong! But this opening… was the most fun opening ever!

To read the report and see the photos, click the image below.

Later i’ll post loads of photos of the watches the Grönefeld Boutique has in the collection… and of course a few wrist shots

Kees Engelbarts, John and Stephan McGonigle and Peter Speake-Marin will be present at the grand opening of the Grönefeld Boutique, a new dealer in Independent Haute Horlogerie.

Bart and Tim Grönefeld are both very familiar with this segment of the watch industry, especially after the launch of their own GMT-06 with tourbillon and minute repeater with cathedral gongs. Since the press release of the opening of the boutique last month, 2 more brands have been added to the collection!

Usually i’m no fan of slogans, however the Grönefeld’s slogan sounds very good i must say! Exeptional watches for distinctive people.

The new brands that have been added are Cornelius & Cie and McGonigle. Both are very interesting an make a very build up in different price ranges starting with a S.U.F. Flying Finn for well below € 3000.

The presence of so many interesting watches, so close to home, is absolutely thrilling news for me. I’m very much looking forward to the Grand Opening coming saturday, December 19th. Especially now i know several of the watchmakers will be present them selves!

Kees Engelbarts, John and Stephan McGonigle and Peter Speake-Marin will accompany Bart and Tim Grönefeld to celebrate the opening of this unique watch store. There are only a few watch stores completely focussed on Independent Haute Horlogerie, world wide.

Especially in North West Europe a watch store like this is unique. Due to it’s location in Oldenzaal, the Netherlands, it only a few hours drive from anywhere in the Netherlands, but also north west Germany and maybe even south Denmark.

The Grönefeld Boutique’s collection: McGonigle, Cornelius & Cie, Speake-Marin, Sarpaneva, S.U.F., Kees Engelbarts and of course Grönefeld.