Today, I’d like to highlight another Finnish watchmaker in his thirties who truly deserves more attention: the eponymous brand Juha Eskola. Before introducing his second model, I’d like to revisit his journey and what led him to launch his project in 2021.
Born in Ostrobothnia, Finland, Juha Eskola first pursued studies in economics, with a focus on marketing, at the University of Turku. During that time, he quickly realised office life wasn’t for him (Excel, PowerPoint, and the like). So in March 2015, he moved to Leppävaara near Espoo to study at the Finnish School of Watchmaking. Throughout his studies, which ended in May 2018, his goal was always to become an independent watchmaker and, once trained, to design and build his own watches. For him, traditional craftsmanship is the purest expression of creation. In that spirit, he designed in 2016 the first prototype of the N1 watch, integrating a moonphase complication within an ETA 6497 movement.
Those skills, and the ideas refined along the way, quickly became the foundation of a singular brand vision. His aim is to create art-inspired timepieces that are elegant and timeless, yet with contemporary details. However, it was only three years later, after many sleepless nights, that the first finished N1 was finally delivered to a client in April 2021, while he was also working in marketing as a marketing specialist. Drawing inspiration from nature and what surrounds him, Juha Eskola has a free-spirited mindset that is essential to creativity. Long before humanity, nature perfected finishes and vibrant colours, qualities modern watchmakers still strive to capture.
With those convictions in mind, Juha Eskola set out in 2024 to work on his own vision of the ultimate dress watch, one that could accompany us through every stage of life. His goal with this piece is to create a design that is elegant, timeless, and contemporary, with an impeccable attention to detail. To him, a dress watch is a gold watch that slips elegantly under a cuff. It features a moonphase complication, his favourite complication, mainly for aesthetic reasons, but also because the moon’s mystical aura has always fascinated him. Now, let’s move on to the presentation of the watch.
Table of Contents – Juha Eskola N2 Moonphase
What are the key features of the Juha Eskola N2 Moonphase?
Case
The Juha Eskola N2 Moonphase features a 14k yellow gold case with a very distinctive tone. With a 37 mm diameter and a thickness of 8.70 mm, it sits perfectly on the wrist. Comfort is further improved thanks to the short, curved lugs and the specific caseback. In fact, the caseback is set at a 74-degree angle for better ergonomics, with a 0.8 mm sapphire crystal that sits flush by 0.05 mm.
One of the unique and signature details of this case is the hand-hammered finish with grooves along the side. The hammered surface, with its raw tactile feel, contrasts beautifully with the rest of the polished case. This technique is often used for movements and dials, but it’s the first time I’ve personally seen it applied to a case. Hand hammering is a traditional and labor-intensive technique that produces a lively, unique, and original pattern.
It’s worth noting that, upon request, this case is available in rose gold, white gold, and platinum, or in 316L stainless steel without the hammered surfaces. Each client can also choose a phrase or message to be engraved on the caseback, which I find very interesting. Another small detail regarding the crystal shown in the photos: this is not the final sapphire crystal, whose shape will be slightly different from this provisional one. My only regret about the case is the use of this crown, which, while very vintage, doesn’t really match what you would expect on such a formal dress watch.
Dial
The Juha Eskola N2 Moonphase is fitted with a two-level, two-tone dial with a black centre and a cream-white outer section, giving it a very vintage feel. It is delicately finished with Arabic numeral hour markers. With an Art Deco inspiration and beautifully executed 14k gold hands made by hand, this three-dimensional dial is handmade in brass, then glass-bead blasted to achieve a finely textured surface that gives it a timeless yet elegant appearance. Note that what can be considered here as a sub-dial is executed in black enamel with a satin texture to add even more depth.
The moon disc is also handmade. It features a polished black stainless-steel frame, a hand-hammered German silver base that is lightly polished, and polished stainless-steel moons that are heat-treated to achieve a superb warm golden tone. On request, you can also opt for engraved indices or indices filled with wax, depending on your preferences. One detail I appreciated on the dial is the place of manufacture printed beneath the logo, underlining how important location is when imagining and creating a timepiece. Juha Eskola moved to Turku, Finland’s oldest city, more specifically to Port Arthur, known for its romantic atmosphere and old wooden houses with beautiful patios, a setting that naturally invites inspiration.
Movement
The Juha Eskola N2 Moonphase houses a vintage hand-wound Longines movement. The Longines 30L is a high-quality calibre with a prestigious heritage. It is not only visually appealing, but also easy for watchmakers to work on. Its moderate size also makes it well suited to a dress-watch case. As a side note, this very reliable movement can be found in many vintage watches, and its selection was also influenced by the fact that the first mechanical watch Juha Eskola ever bought for himself was a Longines. Full circle.
In terms of finishing, all parts visible through the caseback are hand-finished in his workshop. You’ll find straight graining on the bridges (other options available), black-polished screws, hand-polished bevels, snailing on the ratchet wheel, and a matte finish on the crown wheel bridge. My favourite detail on the movement is, of course, the gold chatons, which bring the final touch.
Strap
The Juha Eskola N2 Moonphase is presented here on a comfortable grey ostrich leather strap, which contrasts nicely with the silver and black dial. It is secured with a 14k yellow gold pin buckle, nicely finished and signed with the brand’s logo. On request, and to suit the client’s preferences, an alligator leather or suede strap is also possible.
What is the price of the Juha Eskola N2 Moonphase?
The Juha Eskola N2 Moonphase is a series of 5 unique pieces, priced in this configuration at €15,000 (excluding VAT). Also available in other materials such as 316L stainless steel, rose gold, white gold, or platinum, this price is therefore indicative. Delivered with a presentation box and a travel case, I find the pricing very fair when you consider the number of watches produced each year and the level of detail involved.
Juha Eskola N2 Moonphase: a dress watch unlike the others
In the end, the Juha Eskola N2 Moonphase is a truly unique watch with a lot of charm. All the details Juha Eskola has imagined and executed give it a soul you only find in a watch made by an independent watchmaker. I think he has done a great job of translating the DNA of the first model into this dress watch. It’s also important to understand that each of these pieces is, and will remain, unique thanks to the configurations chosen in advance by each client. As a side note, he previously made a women’s watch with a mother-of-pearl dial and a gold case, which gives you an idea of the level of personalisation that can be achieved.
I believe this is the kind of watch that will appeal to collectors looking for a dress watch you won’t see on every street corner. Watchmaking is a deeply personal and intimate passion, and we fulfil it through pieces that speak to us and that we want to see come alive on our wrist. Production of these models will run throughout 2026 and into early 2027, as Juha Eskola can currently only bring about five watches per year. In the future, he would perhaps like to reach twenty watches per year. The idea would eventually be to recruit another watchmaker to work alongside him, allowing him to step away from day-to-day operations, gain a broader view of the project, and prepare future developments.
For 2027, Juha Eskola is preparing something entirely new. I can’t wait to share it with you here. A big thank you to Juha Eskola for trusting me with this watch for a few days, so I could offer you an authentic and personal perspective on it. I also hope that all our phone conversations will eventually lead to meeting Juha Eskola in person, because beyond being a talented watchmaker, he brings real sensitivity to his pieces. I wish him all the best for what’s next, and many great projects ahead.
Juha Eskola N2 Moonphase – Watch Specifications
- Brand: Juha Eskola
- Model: N2 Moonphase
- Case Material: 14-carat yellow gold
- Dial: Silver: Two-level dial in black and cream-white
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Moonphase
- Movement: Vintage Longines 30L, Manual-Winding, 18’000vph frequency (2.5Hz)
- Water Resistance: 3 ATM
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Caseback: Sapphire
- Case Dimension: 37 mm (Width) x 8,70 mm (Length)
- Strap: Grey Ostrich with 14-carat yellow gold Pin Buckle
- Availability : Limited production of 5 pieces
- Retail Price: 15 000 EUR (excluding VAT)
Did you already know Juha Eskola’s work? What did you think of his second model? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
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