Supernova

A groundbreaking piece in terms of contemporary watch design, as well as the career direction of its creator, the Supernova by Finnish Master independent watchmaker Stepan Sarpaneva is a piece of uncompromising styling and execution which established the foundations for what would become one of the most distinctive and at-a-glance recognisable brand identities in the entire watch industry.

First debuted in 2006, Supernova is the piece which announced this exceptional watchmaking talent to the world, with its stark, uncompromising, even brutalist appearance guaranteeing that heads turned, and the comfortable space of watch collecting, much more used to classic and unchallenging watch designs, began to sit up and pay attention.

Revived once again in 2026, Supernova returns, perhaps slightly more refined than its predecessor, and now available to commission with a wide range of dials of exotic stone or meteorite, but in no way a toned down version of the imposing, sculpted personality which made the original one of the most iconic, distinctive and certainly most recognisable watches of the new era of contemporary independent watchmaking.

Machined out of an ingot of high grade Finnish Outokumpu stainless steel Supernova’s elaborate case is defined by the deep scalloped recesses around its sides. Contrasting brushed and polished finishes and torx screw heads set into chamfered holes on the upper surface of the bezel accentuate the dramatic aesthetic of this extraordinary watch. In some ways a watch which is larger than life, its chunky appearance belies a case which measures only 40mm across and standing 11.2mm tall.

Beneath the sapphire crystal each dial is individually unique. With an extensive selection of colourful exotic stone or meteorite options to choose from no two pieces can be identical and so every Supernova has its own distinct character. The hours and minutes are indicated by beautiful skeletonised hands which taper to fine points.

On the underside, a sapphire caseback reveals the mesmerising Magnetar Turbine oscillating weight whose curved blades and constant free spinning winds the modified Soprod A10 automatic movement within, and creates the illusion of the aurora. Running at a brisk 28,800 vib/h the movement has a power reserve of approximately 42 hours.

A visually stunning watch which is exclusively produced to order, the Sarpaneva Supernova remains true to its first iteration, and is as eye catching today at it was when it first arrived twenty years ago.