Independents

Gentlemen, As I promised when I posted my first pictures, here is the review of my Kari Voutilainen "Vingt-8" . INTRODUCTION As you know, I love the independent watchmaking world. Their watches are unique in design, style and their company's structure and...  

Your choice of dial and movement finish truly highlight the skill that Voutilainen utilizes in crafting his watches. I don't think you could have done better. And to see your photographs in this article-what a tease you had posted a month ago! These are b... 

Mike, thank you I appreciated your comments very much There are so many choices which are worth it in KV's workshop that it was difficult to choose. The last months confirmed my decision, even if I would have been happy with other possibilities too (and s... 

The reading enjoyment is great indeed - thank you so much for your meticulous review of the watch and its creation process! You got yourself a true stunner.

I think I have indeed come to gather with this piece many of the ingredients I like in watchmaking. I'm glad we can be able to find such work still today. Cheers, Mark

It is great that such fine skills are being kept alive (and kicking) for the collectors and enthusiasts to enjoy.

it is not that easy to keep. Some watchmakers really try to share their knowledge in that field but the hard work and tenacity needed is not something that all the new watchmakers agree to perform. Hope they'll be able to pass on the torch! Cheers, Mark

I see it in many industries. Possibly Gen Y will \'grow up\' like others before then, or maybe not. But I often see to much entitlement thinking and too little willingness for hard work...

Trends go one way and when they've gone too far they backswing the other way. I noticed the same trend as you did...

with the usual depressing news about the world, I was put into a far better mood by perusing your review on the Vingt-8. This comes as no surprise to watch aficionados when such a beautiful watch is presented with enthusiasm and complimented with such sup... 

and I'm glad the review made you smile I share your opinion that when someone masters those skills that way it is a great maner to express artistery indeed. He has talent and I think taste. I particularly loved those bridges finishing and the way they are... 

this is a whole new level of watch making at its best. I love the "Hand Made" wording instead of the widely used Swiss or Swiss Made, very intuitive and right on. Every piece is like piece unique and makes it so special. It will take quite a bit of courag... 

I totally share your opinion on that matter, it is nice to be able to go deeper in watchmaking technics. The way bridges and moving elements were polished and decorated on the movement side was something very important in my choice. As you say, deciding t... 

A bit like if you were in charge of the development of the watch. Which is, for a collector, the cherry on the cake. Great article! Best, Nicolas

of independent watchmaking and how much they love their profession. They don't have the means to advertise their work so it is a little help when we can You put it well indeed: it is a bit like being part of the team, in a way... Thank you very much for y... 

Loving reading it and enjoying your photos! I hope I can get a watch from Kari one day. They are real pieces of art! Thanks for the review and sharing your watch with us. I can feel your pride and joy being the owner Cheers Robin

What KV does is really impressive and brings very much satisfaction in the watch journey as there aren't many watchmaker who provide such a work. Thank you for your very kind words, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Cheers, Mark

Furthermore, the watchmaker has a fantastic christian name! I considered Kari's watches for a long time. I love the design and I love the workmanship. But one can't own all of them. Unfortunately. For a long time I considered two main routes: Either to ge... 

You're indeed the two only Kari I know! We all have our priorities and guidelines and your trip among watches is a very beautiful one. Maybe in the future you'll feel like trying the experience, who knows. As for the routes you're talking about, there are... 

Kari wasn't too uncommon name. In my first class in the elementary school we were seven. In Finland Kari is a bit like Mark in English speaking countries... There was a time when I had "samples" of all so called top brands: ALS, AP, Blancpain, Breguet, Ca... 

Anyway, you have a very special link to Patek ingredients and how they approach the watchmaking world. We all try to reach these watches (same brand or not) which may satisfy our desire. There are so many creterion involved in this alchemy. Money is hard ... 

and a wonderful and very informative review of a very special watch that deserved no less, wear her in health and happiness S

I know you like independent watchmakers too and am glad you enjoyed it. I tried to make it as thourough as possible as I think there are many aspects which are interesting but difficult to see just from a small experience or pictures. Have a nice week! Ch... 

Thank you first and foremost in sharing this beautiful KV with us, each piece has a unique feel, and yours is absolutely beautiful. The laquer on the dial is so pure, hats off to you on the choice! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this with my morning coffee,... 

I know you like looking at different directions in watchmaking and am glad you appreciated my review. Indeed, they are all unique, the fact we "participate" to the project adds to the customization and appropriation of the watch. I love lacquered dial and... 

But can't deny the workmanship is tremendous.

Those hands are exquisite! HMMMMMMM.....

I think they may not be everyone's taste but yes, they are quite unique and I love them too Thank you Joe for your compliments. Cheers, Mark

Hairspring?

First, thank you for your words Ron, it is a very nice compliment coming from you considering your knowledge and experience. As for the two different curves, I don't know as I didn't notice another one when I studied this one. Maybe it exists (I would be ... 

I would have another watch of Ksri's

Dear Mark Thank you for your time for sharing an absolutely impressive review with us. A well written report with lots of details and know how in it, which is accompanied with excellent pictures. Really appreciated. An important piece in the watch world! ... 

I share your opinion Kolosstt about KV's work. And, yes, I think that even if the front side is simpler and nicely designed, the main interest lies on the movement side: the finishing and contrasts between polished, sandblasted and perlées surfaces are ma... 

.. at your Master, your watch & through your passionate journey. Your selected piece is a splendid marvel, a superb timepiece.. The grand master Kari Voutilainen has created something sublime, but also very personal for you.. Continue to wear her in the B... 

I discovered the brand maybe 4 years ago and came slowly to this watch. It is as you say gathering many incredible elements of high-end watchmaking. It is a pleasure to share this experience with purists like you. Thank you so much for your very kind word... 

for beautifully executed masterpiece One can feel love, pride and respect reading your great post Once more congrats and thank you for taking time to make reference post about Vingt-8 Cheers D

I have indeed a lot of respect for his work and courage. I'm very happy to share it here with people who also like independents watchmakers. Thanks a lot for your compliment Damjan, I appreciate very much! Cheers, Mark

Thank you and congratulations Mark! Your passion has given your watch an authentic soul, the long and researched path you've pursued has given it a crystalline perfection. I find your Vingt-8 simply beautiful, I love its cleanliness, I think your choices ... 

We seem to share a commun appeal for KV's work Elio I take a very long time to make my decision before buying a watch, this gives time to study and understand it I guess. The cleanness it something I wanted to see in this watch, that's why I went for Arab... 

A very nice watch. As you know not my favorite dial configuration, both for its choice of surface finish and for choice of font for the digits, but a wonderful watch never-the-less. Just a question of taste, of personal preference. Watchmakers being able ... 

We indeed discussed about the dial and I still plan to have your dial design as an alternative sometime in the future. It is a very nice combination of guilloché and modern look. As you said, between the colors and all the available patterns, it is going ... 

Congratulations on this piece Mark! One has to handle a KV to understand what it is. I had the pleasure of doing this for the first time this weekend in London and was able to enjoy the company one on one with the man himself for a good hour. What a gentl... 

I saw the man and discussed with him for the first time last year in Paris and he is very open to discussing about technics, mechanical choices etc... So much to understand and to learn. I wish you can take the plunge one day indeed Thank you very much fo... 

Looking for examples of Voutilainen watches, since I’m strongly leaning in the direction of ordering one. I forget sometimes that he makes non-guilloche dials, and this one in particular is splendid in its elegant simplicity.