Manufacturer: S.U.F. Helsinki Year: 2017 Reference No: V1.001 Case No: No. 19 of 26 Model Name: Vetehinen “Blue” Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3901A, 29 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Dimensions: 42mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, and movement signed. Accessories: Accompanied by S.U.F. leather slip case.
Catalogue Essay
Embodying the spirit of sisu, a uniquely Finnish cultural conception and collective identity typified by a distinct “strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity,” S.U.F. Helsinki was founded by Stepan Sarpaneva as a more rugged complement to his namesake brand. The Vetehinen represents Sarpaneva’s first dive watch, named after a WWII Finnish submarine, known for its daredevil feats in defiance of Axis forces. The submarine, and therefore the watch, draws inspiration from the Finnish mythological creature Vetehinen, who appears as a male water demon with moss and seaweed forming its beard. He is sometimes friendly and sometimes malevolent, and closely resembles a merman.
Finland is omnipresent in the watch, from the watchmaker who conceptualized it, the dial manufactured by fellow Finn Kari Voutilainen, the historical background of the name of the watch, and even the steel itself, mined by a Finnish company and forged in Helsinki, capital of Finland. Offered as a limited edition of 26 pieces in each dial color, the present watch is numbered 19. According to SUF’s website, even the automatic caliber based on an Eterna movement is significant as Eterna was one of the first Swiss watchmakers to recruit Finnish watchmakers. A unidirectional bezel, Comblémine-manufactured blue sunburst dial, Super-LumiNova illuminated steel hands, and a water-resistance rating to 30 ATM, the present Vetehinen is a simple yet effective homage to the aquatic history of Finland and dive watches.