Kari Voutilainen was born in Finland in 1962 and has a passionate interest in horology spanning thirty years. He completed his initial watchmaker’s training at the world-renowned watchmaking school of Tapiola in Finland. He first came to Switzerland in 1989 to attend the International Watchmaking School, where he completed the WOSTEP complicated watch course, a post-graduate course for those watchmakers dedicated to the restoration of complicated, high-quality rare watches. He was quickly spotted by Parmigiani Mesure et Art du Temps, where over the following ten years he was at the center of the restoration work of some of the world’s rarest pieces as well as the creation of new and original ‘one-off’ pieces.
Giving back to others much of the fruit of his experience, Kari Voutilainen taught for the next three years at the WOSTEP School of Watchmaking, heading the department of complicated watchmaking. He also undertook the complete training of beginners and added many new courses to the curriculum that he had devised himself. The recipient of more than a dozen watch prizes, Kari is that one watchmaker everyone admires
When one thinks of handmade dials or hand movement decoration, the first name that comes to mind in modern times is that of Kari. A very calm and assertive individual, Kari is also very friendly and unlike any other watchmaker in the Swiss watchmaking industry. Considered one of the top three watchmakers in modern times, alongside his professional work, Kari Voutilainen has devoted himself, through many long evenings of tireless work over the last fifteen years, to developing the ultimate perfection of new and unique mechanisms, which are represented in his highly elegant watches.
The Voutilainen Vingt-8 is a perfect example of what makes a Voutilainen watch a very special timepiece. Cased in a 39 mm 18K rose gold case and fitted with a hand made solid silver dial with hand guilloché, the watch is delivered on a gorgeous blue alligator strap with pin buckle.
Things to Know About the Watch
The Voutilainen Vingt-8 —Twenty-eight— wristwatch perfectly encapsulates the philosophy of Kari Voutilainen. Its elegant and strong mechanism is housed in a stylish and robust case with teardrop lugs.
The in-house movement powering this watch was designed, built, fabricated, finished and assembled in its entirety in the Voutilainen workshop with the exception of the jewels, the mainspring and the hairspring. The design and philosophy of the movement combine respect for longevity and precision with classical watchmaking tradition.
And only until you’ve held a Voutilainen watch on your hand, you can then understand the cult following of the brand and the watchmaker himself. Exquisitely finished by hand and with a gorgeous blue and crimson enamel hand-guilloché dial, the Vingt-8 is as mesmerizing as it is precise. Applied white Roman numerals and markers complete the elegant design of the watch with a prominent seconds indicator at 6 o’clock.
The Voutilainen Vingt-8 is finished to the highest standards. The surfaces of pinions and wheels are completely flat and highly polished to exceptionally uniform tolerances. All finishing work on the main plate and bridges is by hand to achieve the highest possible levels of surface finish. Screws and all steel parts are finished and polished by hand.
The Movement
The movement has a very large scale measuring 30 mm in diameter allowing perfect regulation of the watch to within tolerances. To equip such an exceptional timepiece, a very rare and unique balance spring system has been used. Phillips overcoil, while the internal curve uses the little known Grossmann curve.
The escapement makes the movement very special; This is the first watch to have two escapement wheels in such a configuration. The escapement wheels give a direct impulse to the balance through the impulse roller/jewel. This escapement is extremely efficient and requires much less energy than traditional lifting escapements, offering benefits in terms of longevity and stability in day-to-day use. The balance-wheel bridge is sublimely elegant, offering an unimpeded view of the escapement and balance. It also allows the enthusiast to admire the synchronized movements of the escapement wheels.
The surfaces of pinions and wheels are completely flat and highly polished to exceptionally uniform tolerances. All finishing work on the main plate and bridges is by hand to achieve the highest possible levels of surface finish. Screws and all steel parts are finished and polished by hand.
On the Wrist & Price
On the wrist, the Voutilainen Vingt-8 wears at its actual size with impeccable wrist presence. A very unique looking watch and a flawless example of 'haute horlogerie' that doesn't come with an astronomical price tag for the caliber of timepiece you are getting.
Sticker Price $80,000-90,000 USD —depending on condition and availability of box and papers. For more info on Voutilainen click here.
