The Son oF Tuoni

From Rönkkö Watches -

 

Courtesy of Rönkkö Watches

All the way from the second largest (by population) city in Finland, mighty Espoo, comes the latest offering from  Antti Rönkkö of Rönkkö Watches.

Courtesy of Rönkkö Watches

The Son of Tuoni is the latest addition to Rönkkö Watches collection.

Limited to 20 pieces.

Availability and Pricing Each variation is strictly limited to 20 pieces.

• SON OF TUONI – 1 Moon Version: €12,700 (VAT 0%) / €15,938.50 (incl. 25.5% VAT)

• SON OF TUONI – 2 Moon Version: €14,900 (VAT 0%) / €18,699.50 (incl. 25.5% VAT)

• Delivery Time: 6–14 months from order.

Here are the pertinents -

MOVEMENT

• Modified Swiss made Soprod A10 caliber, diameter 25,6mm (11.5 ligne), 4 Hz/28,800 VpH
• In-house Moon Complication, with five different variations available
  • Single full moon (bright) version
  • Single new moon (black) version
  • Dual moon version with full moon (bright) and new moon (black)
  • Dual moon version with full moon (bright) and full moon (bright)
  • Dual moon version with new moon (black) and new moon (black)
• phases of the moon (29,5 days)
• 42 hours power reserve
• 25 jewels with Incabloc® shock protection
• Bi-directional automatic winding with hand finished Ukonvasara shaped rotor

HANDS

• Diamond cut stiletto design hands

DIAL

• Hand finished rotating Jatuls’ Garden pattern dial with Tuonen Poika moon indicator/indicators
• Diamond cut indexes
• Bright full moon face of Tuonen Poika made of stainless steel
• Black moon face of Tuonen Poika made of black colored stainless steel

CASE

• Kokko the Mighty Fire Eagle talon design – diameter 41.9 mm and height 10.15 mm
• Hand finished hardened IP black coated stainless steel 316L case with satin finished surfaces and polished edges
• Dial side sapphire crystal with AR coating bottom side with silver metallization Rönkkö®logo
• Exhibition case back with sapphire crystal with AR coating at the bottom side of the crystal
• Hardened IP black coated stainless steel 316L crown with Rönkkö®-logo
• Water-resistant 3 bar (30 meters)

BUCKLE

• Hardened IP black coated stainless steel 316L

STRAP

• Handmade genuine matt black alligator strap with Rönkkö ® -logo

The Sarek Sunset and Sarek Glacier

From GoS -

Courtesy of GoS

This is the latest offering from the dynamic duo at Gustafsson & Sjögren.

Available in a version for men (above), and a ladies version (below)

Courtesy of GoS

While GoS is known far and wide for their pioneering work in Damascus steel, they have also done quite impressive things with mother of pearl as well, as hardcore GoS fans will well remember the Stockholm -

Courtesy of GoS

With this new collection, it is clear that GoS has continued to grow and evolve with an extremely pleasing set of dial variations.

So why "go back" to mother of pearl?  Well, the folks at GoS put it pretty succinctly like this:

GoS tempered damascus steel dials have deep and dynamic colors, but one limitation is that they do not emit any light. Mother-of-pearl is translucent and let both color and light through the material. GoS is the first watch brand to use this property and present mother-of-pearl dials that glows in colors. 

So there you have it!  Here are the pertinents -

 

Specification - GoS Sarek Glacier and Sunset

• ●  Case: 43.0mmx10.5mm (5ATM)
  
• ●  Lug width: 22mm
  
• ●  Glass: Domed sapphire glass with double sided AR coating, extra hard on outside
  
• ●  Movement: Soprod A10 with GoS triskele rotor, dark satinized and additional counter weight with
  model engraving “Glacier” or “Sunset”.
  
• ●  Dial: Multi-layered dial with premium white mother-of-pearl and Swiss Super-LumiNova for the
  best available afterglow and colored luminescence. The dials are manufactured and assembled by
  hand in the GoS workshop.
  
• ●  Bezel: Stainless damascus steel from the masters at Damasteel in Söderfors Sweden. The bezel is
  manufactured and finished in the GoS workshop.
  
• ●  Index ring/rehaut: Two layers combining previous GoS design with inspiration from viking bracelets. The
  hour markings are opened to show the color and light from the dial.
  
• ●  Hands: GoS spear shape in high gloss polished Rhodinated finish
  
• ●  Crown: GoS design in highgloss polished with satinized grooves. 7mm in diameter and with double
  gaskets.
  
• ●  Case finishing: Stainless steel, worked and finished with inspiration from viking bracelets.
  
• ●  Strap: Handcrafted and tapered 22-20mm strap in premium Moose leather, fitted with premium GoS
  20mm Swiss made folding buckle in stainless steel.
  
• ●  Every watch engraved with “Sarek 1/1” to indicate that every watch is a unique piece in addition to a serial number.
  
• ●  Five year guarantee
  
• ●  Delivered in handcrafted presentation box in Swedish crystal, made by Vas Vitreum glass artists in
  Vadstena, Sweden
  Specification - Ladies ́ GoS Sarek Glacier and Sunset
  

• ●  Case: 31.5 x 40 x 9mm (5ATM)
  
• ●  Lug width: Single lug, 16mm strap
  
• ●  Glass: Flat sapphire glass with double sided AR coating, extra hard on outside
  
• ●  Movement: Soprod A10 with GoS triskele rotor, dark satinized and additional counter weight with
  model engraving “Glacier” or “Sunset”.
  
• ●  Dial: Multi-layered dial with premium white mother-of-pearl and Swiss Super-LumiNova for the
  best available afterglow and colored luminescence. The dials are manufactured and assembled by
  hand in the GoS workshop.
  
• ●  Bezel: Stainless damascus steel from the masters at Damasteel in Söderfors Sweden. The bezel is
  manufactured and finished in the GoS workshop.
  
• ●  Index ring/rehaut: Two layers combining previous GoS design with inspiration from viking bracelets. The
  hour markings are opened to show the color and light from the dial. All elements have polished bevels
  and satinized top surface.
  
• ●  Hands: GoS spear shape in high gloss polished Rhodinated finish.
  
• ●  Crown: GoS design in highgloss polished with satinized grooves. It is 6.5mm in diameter and has double
  gaskets.
  
• ●  Case finishing: Stainless steel worked with inspiration from viking rings and then highgloss polished to
  provide lustre.
  
• ●  Strap: Handcrafted and tapered 16-14mm in either black moose leather or pastel colored premium leather
  with Swiss made stainless steel GoS deployant buckle.
  
• ●  Every watch engraved with “Unique piece 1/1” and a serial number.
  
• ●  Five year guarantee
  
• ●  Individually handcrafted presentation box in Swedish crystal, made by Vas Vitreum glass artists in
  Vadstena, Sweden
  

 

The DAEDALUS

From Rönkkö

Courtesy of Rönkkö 

A truly limited edition of 10 pieces, this is the latest offering from Antti Rönkkö's Espoo workshop.

Courtesy of Rönkkö

Here are the pertinents, straight from the source -


RÖNKKÖ DAEDALUS

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION – Gold Calendar Edition of 10

 

•  Calendar indicating the date with hours and minutes
•  Customized Swiss Soprod A10 movement
•  Automatic winding
•  42 h power reserve
•  28 800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
•  25 jewels
•  Movement diameter 25,6 mm
•  One Icarus talisman (stainless steel) in free-rotation
at the middle of the labyrinthine rotor (rotor mass: 18 kt white gold) in an open case back
•  Finishing of the movement: bottom side circular graining (perlage)

 

CASE 

•  Rönkkö case design - diameter 42 mm and height 11.75 mm
•  Hand finished stainless steel 316L case
with satin finished surfaces and polished edges
•  Dial side and back side straight sapphire crystal (with anti reflexive coating underside of crystal)
•  Stainless steel crown with Rönkkö ® -signage
•  Water-resistant to  3 ATM 


DIAL
•  Skeleton index with roman numerals with date window at 
12 o´clock
•  Day-by-day rotating labyrinth in the middle of the dial.

HANDS, BUCKLE & STRAP
•  Hands with rose gold color.  
•  Stainless steel buckle with mirror polished surfaces
•  Natural matte black rubber strap or genuine matte black alligator strap, embossed Rönkkö -signage

The Sarek Akka

From GoS

Courtesy of GoS

This marks a return of a monochrome look and feel to the GoS collection, as it has been six years since they last offered an uncolored Damascus steel dial.  

The watch case is the beneficiary of a collaboration with noted engraver Stanley Stolz, who has gained notoriety for his work on knives and rifles.

Courtesy of GoS

As with all GoS watches, the Sarek Akka has been inspired by the local geography that GoS calls home.  

I'll let them tell you about it in their own words -

Sarek Akka marks a return to traditional uncolored Damascus steel and the main source of inspiration for this monochrome watch was found in the most impressive massif of Swedish Lapland – Akka. Akka is located just north of Sarek and is often referred to as "The Queen of Lapland" since Akka means "grandmother" or "goddess" in Sapmi language. The massif is surrounded by low growing mountain Birch, which is illustrated by scroll engravings on the watch bezel. This detailed engraving is made by master engraver Stanley Stoltz who is a legend among knife and rifle collectors.

And here are the pertinents -

• ●  Case: 43.0mmx10.5mm (5ATM)
  
• ●  Lug width: 22mm
  
• ●  Glass: Domed sapphire glass with double sided AR coating, extra hard on outside
  
• ●  Movement: Soprod A10 with GoS triskele rotor, dark satinized and addititional counter weight in
  Damascus steel
  
• ●  Dial: 164 layered steel Damascus steel with a Wildflower pattern and a greyscale high contrast finishing.
  
• ●  Bezel: Scroll engraving by Stanley Stoltz
  
• ●  Index ring/rehaut: Two layers combining previous GoS design with inspiration from viking bracelets.
  
• ●  Hands: GoS spear shape in high gloss polished Rhodinated finish
  
• ●  Crown: GoS design in highgloss polished with satinized grooves. 7mm in diameter and with double
  gaskets.
  
• ●  Case finishing: Stainless steel, worked and finished with inspiration from viking bracelets.
  
• ●  Strap: Handcrafted Chocolate brown or Black Moose leather, fitted with stainless steel GoS buckle.
  
• ●  Every watch engraved with “Sarek 1/1” to indicate that every watch is a unique piece in addition to a serial
  number.
  
• ●  Five year guarantee
  
• ●  Delivered in handcrafted presentation box in Walnut, made by Kanevad wood artists
  The retail price of Sarek Akka is US$10,800 + applicable taxes. Like all GoS watches, every Sarek Akka dial has a unique pattern but all with the same character. GoS will present dials for selection when ordering a Sarek directly from the workshop.
  

 

The Shit That Killed Elvis 7 / 12

GoS has always fascinated me.  And the with the Sarek they have managed to surpass themselves -

Courtesy of GoS

The Sarek's dial is the largest Damascus steel dial that GoS has made up to this point.  The case style is decidedly different from previous offerings, and for my money marks a positive evolution.

Courtesy of GoS

 The movement is Soprod's A10 with Gos's triskele rotor -

Courtesy of GoS

Here are the pertinents -

Case: 
43.0mmx10.5mm (5ATM) Stainless steel

Lug width: 
22mm

Glass: 
Domed sapphire glass with double sided AR coating, extra hard on outside

Movement: 
Soprod A10 (top specification version) with GoS triskele rotor, dark satinized with polished bevels

Dial: 
164 layered steel Damascus steel with a Pool pattern. Tempered coloring of dial.

Hands: 
GoS spear shape in high gloss polished Rhodinated finish

Crown: 
GoS design in highgloss polished with satinized grooves. 7mm in diameter and with double gaskets.

Case finishing: 
Stainless steel worked and finished with inspiration from viking bracelets.
 
Strap: 
Handcrafted Moose leather fitted with stainless steel GoS buckle.

The Minotaur Light Edition

From RÖNKKÖ

Courtesy of RÖNKKÖ

As a follow-up to the Minotaur Dark, this is the Minotaur light.

The Minotaur

From Rönkkö Watches

Courtesy of Rönkkö Watches

With Vappu behind us, and Finland springing back to life it is fitting that Antti Rönkkö is revealing his latest creation - the Minotaur.

A watch that speaks to the duality of man (darkness and light), the Minotaur continues Antti Rönkkö's study of Greco-Roman mythology that began with his first piece, the Labyrinth.

Measuring 42 mm and crafted of what is described as IP black coated 316L stainless steel.  The movement is based on a Soprod A10.  This is a self-winding movement that that been customized and boasts 42 hours of power reserve. It features 2 additional features:  
1.  An in-house "Dual Moon Complication" indicating the full moon and the "black moon".

Courtesy of Rönkkö Watches

2.  A Black DLC coated Minotaur talisman in free-rotation at the middle of the labyrinthine rotor.

Checking the moon phase can be quite simple once you get used to reading it. 

The curved opening under the 12 o´clock marker will always indicate the current moon phase  (full or black). 

In the opening displaying the current moon phase, the Minotaur's head is always the right way around. 

Depending on whether the talisman is dark or light under the 12 o´clock marker tells the wearer if the moon phase is moving towards a full or black moon.

 

In the image above, the moon is full, as you can see the indication is light under the Minotaur's talisman at 12 o'clock. 

The dial of the Minotaur displays both Minotaur "talismans" at all times, but the moon phase is always displayed in the upper window just below the 12 o'clock position.  

Extremely limited - 5 pieces.  Now THAT is a limited edition!

You Get to Pick 1 of Each - Sarpaneva

Courtesy of Sarpaneva

Now while many people would plump for a watch with the iconic moonphase indications and references, I suspect that if I ever got to own a Sarpaneva I'd want to wear it ALL THE TIME.  Luckily, they'd have me covered with what I believe is the COOLEST dive watch out there -

The Korona K0!

46 mm of stainless steel goodness protects the Soprod A10 self-winding movement.  The diver's ring  (yes ring, not bezel) is adjusted by use of the crown in position 1.  So unlike so many other dive watches out there, it does not require a second crown to fiddle with and "ugly up" the case side, nor does it allow for the possibility of unintentionally moving the ring and therefore miscalculating your dive time.  A pretty important thing to be in control of in the "briny deep".  Water resistant to 300 meters, and secured with a rubber strap. 

So while you're swimming with the sharks at BaselWorld, consider strapping on the Korona K0.  If nothing else, you'll be sure not have your appointment taken by another shark ; )

Revontulet - and the Quick Northern Fox

Hyvää huomenta everyone! Having spent four winters in Finland (2 in the "old capital" of Turku, and 2 in Helsinki) I can tell you that it takes a special person to find the magic and express it in a way that is understandable to the ulkomaalainen (foreigners) . Ladies and gentlemen, Stepan Sarpaneva is pretty special.  And it took something pretty special to create this latest offering from Sarpaneva - the Korona Northern Lights.

Courtesy of Sarpaneva

These three pieces are the latest from Stepan Sarpaneva and represent a truly unique collaboration with James Thompson of Black Badger.  The Korona Northern Lights come in 3 versions -

Green -

In the daytime...

Courtesy of Sarpaneva

And at night...

Courtesy of Sarpaneva

Violet -

In the daytime...

Courtesy of Sarpaneva

And at night...

Courtesy of Sarpaneva

And Blue...

In the daytime...

Courtesy of Sarpaneva

And at night...

Courtesy of Sarpaneva

In Finland the story goes that the Revontulet (Northern Lights) are created by the escapades of a frolicking naali (Arctic Fox).  As he/she is running around (as foxes are apt to do) his/her fur brushes the sides of the mountains creating sparks that fly into the night creating the northern lights.

Another version has the playful naali brushing the snow with its tail, sending the northern lights skyward.  I prefer both explanations to the scientific ones.

Courtesy of Sarpaneva

But it would seem that in this instance, it was not the naali, but rather the Black Badger himself helping to create this magic with his fantastic "Moonglow" composite.  But as he explains in his Notes from the workbench, Moonglow was only available in one color - green.  So Mr. Thompson did some research and discovered some additional possibilities.  I don't want to steal the Black Badger's thunder, so here is a link to his site so that you can read all about it straight from the source -

Black Badger Notes from the workbench.

The case is 46 mm in diameter, with a thickness of 12 mm, has a sapphire crystal with multiple interior anti-reflective coatings, and will stay safe and dry to 10 ATM thanks to the Double secured water-resistant SARPANEVA screw-down crown.

The movement is a modified Soprod A10, which is self-winding and features a moon phase indication (29.5 days) that is the result of Stepan Sarpaneva's in-house complication.  It offers 42 hours of power reserve and is Rhodium plated with perlage finishing.

The dials are are DLC coated in green, violet or blue with Super-LumiNova indices, and as mentioned above were made possible thanks to the collaboration with James Thompson of Black Badger Advanced Composites.  The moon phases are of red or white gold.  The hands are also treated with Super-LumiNova.

I am really looking forward to seeing these in person at BaselWorld in a few weeks' time, but for now

here are the complete specs:

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Movement
• Modified Soprod A10 calibre, 11.5 lines, 28800 vph (4 Hz)
• Mechanical, automatic winding
• Phases of the moon (29.5 days), in-house complication
• 25 jewels
• 42-hour power reserve
• Rhodium-plated, perlage finishing
• DLC coated winding mass with 18K gold moon and masses

Case
• Stainless steel, 46 mm in diameter, 12 mm in thickness
• 1.5 mm thick curved sapphire crystal with multi anti-reflective coating inside
• Double secured water-resistant SARPANEVA screw-down crown
• Water-resistant to 10 ATM

Dial
• DLC coated blue, green or violet with Super-LumiNova indexes
• Luminous dials in collaboration with James Thompson of Black Badger Advanced Composites 

• Moon faces made of 18K red gold and 18K white gold
• Rhodium-plated hands with Super-LumiNova

Strap
• Leather in various colours, rubber
• Stainless steel buckle

KORONA K1 EMALI

It would seem it is a day for Sapaneva!  This is another new item, the Korona K1 Emali -

Courtesy of Sarpaneva

Limited to only 8 pieces, this is a truly special time machine.

Sarpaneva Korona Kosmos

This is one of the latest offerings from Sarpaneva -

Courtesy of Sarpaneva

The Korona Kosmos.