quattro
[Moderator]
18114
Hand-Made Tourbillon
Back in 2016, Kaj Korpela, a watchmaker with a Finnish name but born in Sweden in 1982, created his “Timepiece No. 1”.
This rectangular Tourbillon wristwatch, inspired by some timepieces of the 1920s by Rolex or Patek Philippe, was made entirely by hand.
The case measures 25.7 x 43.4 x 8.5 mm.
The rectangular 3Hz / 21,600vph movement focuses exclusively on the one-minute tourbillon and its complex bridge.
I find the case profile very appealing.
Another very different dial was made.
Unfortunately, this watch seems to have been completely unsuccessful and we no longer hear about this watchmaker.
The watch seems to sit a little too straight on the wrist, instead of conforming to its shape.
Kaj Korpela
credit: Kaj Korpela (1-2 & 8), Tim Jackson on independentintime.com (3-4), Monochrome & Sjx
I don't particularly like front tourbillons and this watch is obviously a first attempt that could have been improved.
But I really like the general idea and it seemed interesting to show it here, as it has very rarely been mentioned before on our site.
Best, Emmanuel
Hand-Made Tourbillon
Back in 2016 , Kaj Korpela , a watchmaker with a Finnish name but born in Sweden in 1982, created his “ Timepiece No. 1 ”. This rectangular Tourbillon wristwatch, inspired by some timepieces of the 1920s by Rolex or Patek Philippe , was made entirely by h...
If you have a tourbillon, it belongs in the front
well that'w what I think. It’s comparable to having a very beautiful painting and not hanging it on a wall, but keeping it in a cabinet so you never see it ... only when you open the cabinet, or in other words, when you take off your watch and turn it ove...
I completely understand your feeling about
beauty which must be seen, and I know that I might be in the minority but I feel differently because what I’m looking for in a watch first and foremost is an understated, familiar, elegant, time-telling device. For that reason, I don’t want the technical ...
I quite like the aesthetics, quattro.
Dial, stripes, cage. This is a watchmaker I'd be happy to support if he were in my neighborhood.
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My problem with it is the tourbillon takes up too much real estate on the dial.
Almost like the actual time display is secondary which is sort of strange because the time display is the purpose of the watch. And then when you consider that tourbillons aren't even necessary for proper timekeeping it becomes an exercise in misplaced pr...
Yes, I understand your feeling,
but there’s no point of doing a small tourbillon, is there? And I personally like the design and balance between upper and lower part. Best, Emmanuel
Have you had the chance to see it in real life?
I think that a curved case of shorter lug-to-lug or anything helping the case to wrap a little more around the wrist would be welcome. Other than that, a truly wonderful piece indeed. Best, Emmanuel
Indeed, curving the case would probably be impossible.
So maybe just shortening the lug-to-lug a bit.
Kai’s watch is a stunner
Thanks for featuring my pics, which I took in Baselworld many moons ago. It had the pleasure of meeting Kaj then and seeing this amazing watch. Not built for commercial purposes, rather an exercise in demonstrating his horological art. Clearly a serious w...
Thanks for sharing your experience and
shedding some more light on this talented watchmaker. His Tourbillon really appeals to me and I’m sure he keeps doing a great job. Cheers, Emmanuel
I contacted Kaj several years ago
To see if he would be willing to build me one of these watches. I think it is absolutely stunning. I did hear back from him. It took a lot of legwork to get his contact information. Unfortunately, nothing came of our very brief discussions. But this watch...
How frustrating! And I definitely understand why
this watch is still haunting you! It is so rare to see such an original and wonderful design... Best, Emmanuel