Inside Kari Voutilainen's Workshop

Our visit last week with Kari started with dinner the evening  before, at a brasserie in Lausanne.  On display: a Voutilainen Chronograph, property of a Gentleman Purist:

Morning already!  The drive over to Motiers complete, we were first treated to the sight of several boxes containing vintage repeater ebauches.  Hard to believe that sometime in the future, this will be converted into one of Kari's masterpiece decimal repeaters:

An example of one of the boxes containing plates, bridges, and lots of other parts

Speaking of spare parts, here are the contents of one tiny envelope:

One of the great things about visiting with Kari is that he always seems to have some interesting artifacts to show -- and his deep passion for horology and the traditions of the past is very clear.

Now to the present!  Down in the lower level, a variety of parts made on the CNC machines and lathe:

This pinion is really tiny --  believe me

Kari was wearing this Vingt-8.  I like this more subtle manifestation of the watch quite a bit -- and the blued hands with silver circles are really cool as well.  You can see an identical WIP dial to the right

Stainless steel hands being made for a special series for a retailer.  Again, the difference between the unfinished and finished parts is astounding

Upstairs, a Vingt-8 movement being assembled.  Love that perlage and striping!  The anglage ain't so bad, either

Here's part of a selection of machine tools that Kari bought (along with the machines) when a local manufacturer closed its doors -- otherwise these traditional tools would have headed for the scrap heap

Finally, some watches nearing completion!  I won't show the dial sides, but they are gorgeous as well.  First, a decimal repeater -- you would not believe how pure this finishing looks in person -- photos can't do it justice

A restoration project: a student watch

Finally, Colin's unique tourbillon as posted recently by him (this is my photo).

There was more going on, but we were asked not to take photos or discuss details.  I can, however, say that there is more to come, so stay tuned!

Best,

Gary G