Sarpaneva Korona K0: A knockout?

by

With all the smooth curves in the right places, “see-through clothing” complemented with leather and flirting with the glint of “blue eyes”, this was a sight not to be missed.

We most definitely had to have a try. A knockout beauty? Well, it was actually Finnish watchmaker Stepan Sarpaneva’s Korona K0 Two Tone. As can be seen, it is a curvaceous timepiece and the “see-through clothing” is the stainless steel grille-like dial in DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) blue.

Sarpaneva’s Korona K0, introduced in 2012, is a unique-looking sports watch from the Finnish watchmaker the brand is named after. Photo: © TANG Portfolio, 2013

Sarpaneva’s Korona K0, introduced in 2012, is a unique-looking sports watch from the Finnish watchmaker the brand is named after. Photo: © TANG Portfolio, 2013

Where the “blue eyes” or the rich hues of the grille-like dial shines depends on where the light hits its surface and it is indeed eye-catching.

While the Sarpaneva Korona K0 comes with a rubber strap, we tried it on with alligator leather. For those interested, yes, we did get questions regarding this Sarpaneva watch from curious passer-bys and friends.

Interestingly, it does not look like a 46mm diameter watch, perhaps due to the angular curvatures of the case and it is comfortable on the wrist.

What is perhaps unique to the Sarpaneva Korona K0 is its understated “beauty” in terms of features. It has luminescent hands and hour indexes, a screw-down crown, is water-resistant to 300m and has an inner rotating bezel or “timer ring” controlled by the crown for keeping track of time – diving time. Take note of the lighter-coloured scales for the first 15 minutes on the inner rotating bezel.

After all, the Sarpaneva Korona K0 is made to be a diving sports watch; a very unique-looking one to enjoy, if we may so add.

Other articles on Sarpaneva on timewerke.com that may be of interest:
1. Who is Sarpaneva?
2. Sarpaneva Korona K0 Wuoksi: Flirt?
3. Sarpaneva K1 Emali: Thicker than water

Les Indomptables de Cartier Frog watch: Not a watch?

by
Les Indomptables de Cartier Frog watch. Part of Les Heures Fabuleuses de Cartier’s amazingly fresh and interesting jewellery watch collection. Photo: © Cartier

Les Indomptables de Cartier Frog watch. Part of Les Heures Fabuleuses de Cartier’s amazingly fresh and interesting jewellery watch collection. Photo: © Cartier

The Heures Fabuleuses de Cartier jewellery watch collection comprises 41 pieces described by the brand as “a spirited bestiary” with “secrets and tricks”.

One fine example being the Indomptables de Cartier Frog watch (the indomitable frog watch) we had mentioned earlier in the article “Tiancheng International and the seeds of love”. Now what are its secret and tricks?

Well, Les Indomptables de Cartier Frog watch features the amphibian sitting on a floating lotus leaf in what is seen as a pond underneath that is tastefully created through miniature enamelled paintings on an 18K gold dial.

The sculpture of the frog, lotus flowers and leaves is “floating” as it is positioned above the sapphire crystal of the watch. This piece is therefore seen more for its jewellery make-up comprising moonstones, sapphires and brilliant-cut diamonds, not to mention the emeralds representing the eyes of the frog.

Powered by a quartz watch movement, time is told by the hour and minute hands discreetly found between the one and two o’clock positions.

The trick is that the miniature frog sculpture can actually be lifted off to reveal more of the dial underneath which offers a similar and flatter representation of what has been taken off sans the frog (which has perhaps “jumped off for a swim”?). Take note of the positions of the lotus flowers and leaves before and after the frog sculpture was removed.

With the frog off, the Indomptables de Cartier Frog watch appears as a very different wristwatch. Photo: © Cartier

With the frog off, the Indomptables de Cartier Frog watch appears as a very different wristwatch. Photo: © Cartier

This is truly a piece to appreciate and enjoy. Somehow, the look brings to mind “what if” and perhaps far-fetched possibilities with the incredible three-dimensional fish art sculptures of Riusuke Fukahori, especially if such incredible works of art by this Japanese artist can be miniaturised and created on watch dials.

For this Indomptables de Cartier timepiece, the brand says it is part of “a collection that proclaims, like a surrealist manifesto: “This is not a watch”.”

This is because of its secret – the frog with lotus flowers and leaves sculpture is actually a brooch.

The brooch of the Indomptables de Cartier Frog is definitely not a watch but it can be part of one. Photo: © Cartier

The brooch of the Indomptables de Cartier Frog is definitely not a watch but it can be part of one. Photo: © Cartier

This is an excellent idea for ladies as they can have a two-in-one jewellery piece. With such dual functionality, the reasoning for obtaining such an item, especially for the well-heeled, can easily become “a must-have” rather than a “good-to-have”.

This is not a watch? Well, yes, when the brooch is used on its own and it depends on how one views the piece when it is attached to the watch. Whether it is a watch or isn’t, the Indomptables de Cartier Frog watch is definitely well worth watching.

Links to other timewerke.com articles related to Cartier which may be of interest:

i. Tiancheng International and the seeds of love
ii. Spot on: The power of the colour orange
iii. Cartier highly popular as a jewellery and watch brand in China