The heart of independent watches

Aug 15, 2010,22:05 PM
 

Alex:

With the skill of your interactions, the craft you bring to the creation of the design and the balance of commitment and humor, Stepan and you have exemplified the definition of Independent Watchmaker and Collector of Independent Watches with the wonderful "Moonshine".

Thank you, Alex, for communicating with such joy, exactly why we all do this "independent thing."

Terry Opdendyk

  login to reply

Comments: view entire thread

 

The Moonshine over Helsinki: Getting there, the workshops and the drinks

 
 By: alex : August 12th, 2010-03:49
is starting to become one of my favorite independent watchmakers: he manages to merge viciously cool designs immediately identifiable as his, interesting complications, real horology in conception and implementation (he may not be Swiss but this man was w...  

The Moonshine: The Watch

 
 By: alex : August 12th, 2010-04:17
42mm sand blasted steel case: The movement of the Moonshine is a heavily modified Soprod A10. The canon pinion and senconds axis have been shortened and polished as to have the regular hand replaced by an hours disk with an incredible 0.15mm thickness. Th...  

Very enjoyable post !

 
 By: bimbeano : August 12th, 2010-04:34
Hi Alex, congrats on this stunning piece ! It just looks amazing. The concept is pretty unique and there isn't much more i can say about (still a bit drooling over my keyboard right now) . I believe you will enjoy this one for a long period ! Cheers, Fili... 

Congratulations, Alex!

 
 By: respo : August 12th, 2010-06:19
What a beautiful watch and I cannot imagine a better way to receive a new watch than directly from the creator in his atelier. So what else happened in Helsinki? LOL. Best, respo

We'll have to take the 5th...

 
 By: a.lber.to : August 13th, 2010-02:40
...on that one!!!

Congrats Alex !!

 
 By: monochrome : August 12th, 2010-08:54
Good to see another watch owner with a beautiful Sarpaneva on his wrist. I hope to see many wristshots... and a lumeshot Congrats and wear it in good health! PS. did Stepan offer you gasoline to drink?

congrats alex

 
 By: aldossari_faisal : August 12th, 2010-09:52
such joyful report , and such a unique watch" i always use unique to discribe stepans watches" however i believe thats the suitable word to use after all . again looking to it in the context it was meant to be in just makes me feel more and more fascinate... 

Congrats Alex!

 
 By: SJX : August 12th, 2010-10:00
That is a brilliant looking watch. - SJX

That trip to Helsinki was really worth it !

 
 By: DonCorson : August 12th, 2010-10:24
Many great ideas in that watch. Especially the moon phase intrigues me. I'm surprised though that you picked wine to drink and not moonshine! Don PS: for those who haven't seen it, to get into the Helsinki feeling, a link to my visit to Stepans shop for t... 

Brilliant piece Alex. Loved it when I saw the proto in Basel....

 
 By: Tim Jackson : August 12th, 2010-12:03
I'm very happy to see you persuaded him to go ahead and make it. I didn't know it had a moonphase indicator when I looked in Basel, so that is a big bonus and makes sense! Love to see a picture of the lume in a darkened arena if possible??? Congrats &... 

amazing timepiece..

 
 By: ocwatching : August 13th, 2010-14:22
and a great trip...what a way to pick up a watch...congrats wear it in good health

That Hours Disk is a work of art ...

 
 By: AndrewD : August 13th, 2010-15:59
Thanks Alex, That Hours Disk is a work of art by itself. Great report and I now have a better understanding of how the Moonshine is put togetether. Looks like the three of you had a brilliant time, which is what this hobby, and dealing with independents, ... 

The heart of independent watches

 
 By: Terry O : August 15th, 2010-22:05
Alex: With the skill of your interactions, the craft you bring to the creation of the design and the balance of commitment and humor, Stepan and you have exemplified the definition of Independent Watchmaker and Collector of Independent Watches with the wo... 

Thank you Alex.

 
 By: fernando : August 16th, 2010-03:55
Great pick up and nice read.

Fantastic report...

 
 By: Jester : August 19th, 2010-08:03
Very interesting & attractive watch. Can you also elaborate a bit on the strap? Love it!

Did you have it made?

 
 By: Jester : August 19th, 2010-08:24
If so, could you PM me the details?

Super.

 
 By: big daddy : December 12th, 2010-15:46

Wow, that's a beauty.

 
 By: VMM : December 14th, 2010-02:01

Hey Stepan , I told you ....

 
 By: Philippe M : August 12th, 2010-04:28
.... this Big Moon Face deserves to exist !!!! Thanks Alex for this complete and appealing report ! Congratulation to both Alberto and Alex for their (not that) audacious orders !!! Alberto, this Sarpaneva will help you to wait for your very special Antiq... 

Indeed!!!

 
 By: a.lber.to : August 13th, 2010-02:42
One day, my friend, one day... but I WILL have it on my wrist!!!

And to further bide my time...

 
 By: a.lber.to : August 13th, 2010-02:44
...I could not help but order from Stepan that black DLC-cased Moonshine you see in the pictures!!

Very cool trip....

 
 By: roman : August 12th, 2010-09:05
looks like an amazing time you had. Thanks for this story.

Fantastic post

 
 By: DaMctosh : August 13th, 2010-20:36
and fantastic watch. Congratulations Alex and Alberto. Wow, to be met at the airport by the man who made your watches, that is truly priceless. The Moonshine is a real stunner. Seeing as yours is no. 6, is this a limited series as well?

I don't know how to tell you "congrats" in finnish !

 
 By: foversta : August 14th, 2010-12:52
You got two great watches from Stepan, lucky you ! I hope to be able to seen them son ! Fr.Xavier Private french joke with Alex: the pics make me think about the sentence: "Un barbu, c'est un barbu, trois barbus, c'est des barbouzes"

try "Onnittelut"

 
 By: amerix : August 17th, 2010-01:31
It won't get you punched in the mouth - if you pronounce it correctly

Looks like you got the complete package...

 
 By: RJW : August 15th, 2010-00:45
A memorable experience whilst collecting a special watch direct from the watchmaker. A pleasure to read this post. Regards, Richard.

Congratulations Alex.......

 
 By: Topcat30093 : August 16th, 2010-00:46
It's a remarkable looking piece and to me quite a unique way of telling the time. It just shows, what some perseverance can do for you!!

thank you all for your kind words :-) [nt]

 
 By: alex : August 16th, 2010-01:53
No message body

Congrats Alex,

 
 By: papillonwatchman : August 18th, 2010-01:09
and Alberto with those beautiful watches, great and original, they lok awesome. Best, Michel

Congrats Alex. For a moment I thought Stepan and you were blood brothers!

 
 By: patrickmaniac : December 9th, 2010-22:01
Talk about look alike. :O cheers PAt