Sarpaneva’s Moomin watch auctioned off to benefit the #OURSEA charity - sold for 33 000 EUR

12 Jan 2021

The prototype of the sold-out Moomin watch by Sarpaneva Watches has been sold for a remarkable price of 33 000 euros. The proceeds from the auction will go directly to Moomin Characters’ and the John Nurminen Foundation’s joint campaign, #OURSEA that collects funds to clean the Baltic Sea and protect its heritage.

Sarpaneva Watches’ newest limited edition Moomin watch celebrates the 75 years the Moomin stories have been spreading joy to countries around the world.

The prototype of the sold-out watch has now been auctioned off at the famous Phillips auction house, at the moment regarded as one of the world’s most significant auction houses focused on finest collectors’ watches. The watch was sold for 315 000 Hong Kong Dollars, which equals 33 125,55 Euros. All proceeds will be donated directly to #OURSEA campaign.

”I’m humbled by this kind of dedication and kindness from a watch enthusiast: the watch will be in good hands. Taking care of our one and only planet, and here especially one of its beautiful and magical seas is a deed of great importance and something we owe to the future generations”, says Stepan Sarpaneva, the designer of the watch.

The design of the watch’s dial is inspired by Tove Jansson’s illustration in the book Moominsummer Madness (1954). In the original illustration, Moomintroll is seen dreaming among reeds on a summer day.

“I had an idea, that the original, black and white illustration could be made in colour, with respect for the original version”, Stepan Sarpaneva says.

The hand-painted colours illuminate in the dark and create a new atmosphere: “When it’s dark, dreams change, they get colour and maybe get brought to life in a different way.”

The anniversary watch was of limited availability and in accordance to the anniversary year only 75 pieces were available. The watches sold out at record speed.

The proceeds from the auction will go directly to Moomin Characters’ and the John Nurminen Foundation’s joint campaign #OURSEA. Already 926166€ have been collected through the campaign to help save the Baltic Sea and its unique heritage.