Tour of Independence 2009: Voutilainen & Gauthier

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SJX's report on the 2009 Tour of Independence in Singapore offers a valuable historical snapshot of independent watchmaking. This event, organized by The Hour Glass, brought together esteemed watchmakers like Kari Voutilainen and Romain Gauthier, showcasing their unique creations. The article provides insight into the bespoke nature of independent horology and the vibrant collector community surrounding it.

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Each year retailer The Hour Glass organises a Tour of Independence event in Singapore attended by various independent watchmakers. This year Kari Voutilainen and Romain Gauthier were in town.

Both also created piece unique watches for L'Atelier, the high horology store opened by The Hour Glass earlier this year. Kari presented an Observatoire and a Chronometer 27 while Romain made two open-dial versions of his watch in rose and white gold. More photos of the watches in the follow-up posts.

Click here to see more photos of L'Atelier.

- SJX

This message has been edited by SJX on 2009-10-11 00:53:53

Key Points from the Discussion

Kari Voutilainen's Observatoire in rose gold with a copper dial showcases his ability to blend diverse design cues into an aesthetically pleasing and distinct timepiece, maintaining high finishing standards.
Independent watchmakers like Kari Voutilainen often have a clear 'house style' and professional standards, making them open to reasonable customer requests for variations but likely to decline modifications that compromise their artistic vision.
The event featured a variety of independent watches worn by guests, including pieces from De Bethune and the new Urwerk CC1, highlighting the diverse tastes within the collector community.
The Chronometer 27 in rose gold with an ivory dial and engraved center was noted for its unique aesthetic, making it a perfect, understated statement piece, even for a smaller female wrist.
Romain Gauthier delivered two unique open-dial watches in rose and white gold, praised for their movement finishing and layout, despite personal aesthetic preferences regarding the crown placement.
The four unique pieces presented at the Tour of Independence were all sold prior to the cocktail event, demonstrating strong demand and collector interest in bespoke independent watches.
While many Observatoires differ, some were produced to similar specifications, raising questions about whether Kari Voutilainen tracks the unique specifications of each piece.
The engraved Peseux and Longines movements used by Kari Voutilainen are considered symphonies of horological and decorative artistry, with Romain Gauthier's open-worked dials also receiving praise.

The Discussion

SJX

Oct 11, 2009

Part I: Cocktails

Prior to dinner guests met the watchmakers inside L'Atelier. Many saw the piece unique watches for the first time during the cocktails and reactions were diverse. But what matters was that all four of the piece unique watches were already sold by that time. A variety of collectors were present, ranging from the well dressed... To the extremely well dressed.

SJX

Oct 11, 2009

Part II: Dinner

Dinner followed one level up at Taste Paradise. Coincidentally I attended another dinner at the same restaurant a week earlier and I was seated in the same spot at the same table.

SJX

Oct 11, 2009

Part III: Some of the watches present that evening

A plethora of watches were seen on the wrists of guests. Naturally many independent watchmakers were represented including De Bethune and even the new Urwerk CC1.

VMM

Oct 11, 2009

Wow! Some interesting pieces you got there.

Thanks for sharing. Vte

marcelo

Oct 11, 2009

The Lange 1 Moonphase was ‘misdated’.

dxboon

Oct 12, 2009

Amazing watches on display

Thanks for reporting on this event, and for the beautiful pictures that accompanied your text, SJX. Not only did the guests have amazing watches on their wrists, but the special piece uniques from Kari Voutilainen and Romain Gauthier are simply breathtaking. I agree with you that the ivory dial on the Chronometer 27, together with the decorative flourishes on the dial, and caseback make it the perfect ladies' KV. I'm undecided as to whether I like the standard Gauthier over the open-worked dial

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