Kari Voutilainen: Vingt-8

There is no doubt that Kari Voutilainen is one of the stars of independent watchmaking. The creations of the Finnish “maître horloger” are sold out for the next couple of years, and there is a waiting list for the collectors to get their hands on one of them – despite the high price, which is totally justified by the excellence in the crafting.

Unveiled last January at SIHH, the Voutilainen Vingt-8 wristwatch perfectly encapsulates the philosophy of the brand’s founder. Its elegant and strong mechanism is housed in a stylish and robust case in 18 carats white gold. The 39 millimeter diameter is a perfect medium size for all types of wrists.

The caliber Voutilainen 28ES, the in-house movement of the Vingt-8 was designed, built, fabricated, finished and assembled in its entirety in the Finnish watchmaker’s workshops in the village of Môtiers, at the far edge of the Canton of Neuchâtel. This mechanical hand-wound movement with functions of hours, minutes and small seconds, offers a power reserve of 65 hours. The screws and all the steel parts are finely finished and polished by hand. The timepiece is finished to the highest standards, as in the tradition of all Voutilainen creations. All finishing work on the main plate and the bridges is handmade, in order to achieve the highest possible levels of surface finish.

The blue and silver dial of the watch is engine turned by hand. In the center, the transparent enamel, highly polished to be able to admire reflects of engine turning pattern, creates an optical illusion. The dial is also made entirely in Voutilainen’s workshop. In fact, in 2014 Voutilainen bought the dial factory Dialtech SA, in Saint-Sulpice and renamed the company Comblémine, after the street in Môtiers where his house and atelier is located. Comblémine finishes dials not just for its brand but for other high-end, small-series watch brand.

Finally, the strap of the Vingt-8 is in alligator, with an ardillon bukle in 18 carats white gold. A masterpiece, as all Kari Voutilainen’s works of fine watchmaking art.

By Valeria Garavaglia