Independents

I was wondering if anyone owned or happened to know anything about the Voutilainen Masterpiece Chronograph: www.voutilainen.ch The transparent (!) ceramic balance, and the escapement in general, looks very unusual indeed. Couldn't find any discussion of t... 

Thanks a lot, Moses, to bring this Chrono into light. The finish if the movement looks great, and some parts are really original. What about the base used for it? Lemania? I would like a lot to see pics of the dial, because from what I see on the only pic... 

"Spring made of composite carbon fibre in an ultra-fine balance in the shape of a quartz disk. In order to obtain the required amplitude and frequency, this transparent disk, whose density is very low, is made heavier by the addition of small rings of tan...  

Not sure if true and if so, if applicable to this piece.

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is the creator of the "Carbontime balance." Hopefully that will help your search. In addition to being a watchmaker crafts cases by hand, some of which were used in Kari's decimal repeaters. Bill This message has been edited by WHL on 2009-05-03 17:06:44

with the use of silicium and diamondsil becoming more common in escapements, hairsprings etc there should be a use for it in the balance wheel itself. only time will tell. Graham

Hello dear all, Kari Voutilainen's landmark is the use of NOS calibers that he improves and modifies so as to implement them in classical but modern timepieces. The exception in his collection is the Chronograph Masterpiece which is powered by an "in-hous... 

Seems that KV sums the Best Of the Horological History. Didn't know that KV used a chronometre movement from Longines for the " Chronometre 27 ". Thanks a lot, and stay close to the Horse mouth! Best, Nicolas

Hi Philippe, Thanks for the info. Do you know how Gideon's balance assemble performs compared to something "normal"? I remember reading about it in the HJ a few years ago but I haven't seen any more news. Is anyone else usng them? Cordialement nick

It will be interesting to see if Kari's chrono production pieces really will have Gideon's Carbontime hairspring and balance. I know that Kari made at least once watch with them, but last year at the BHI 150th anniversery celebration Gideon spoke about hi... 

Thank you, Philippe, though I've to admit that I've a hard time with this magic word "inspired by "...... When I first heard about Kari's "new in house"chronograph movement I was very excited - when I actually saw the first one in Basel, I was as much sur... 

Hello Walter, I have discussed the matter with Kari (not strictly speaking discussed as this was Email exchanges). As a matter of fact the layout of the caliber 25 is very similar to the Valjoux 13'' as Kari finds this basis technically interesting. But t... 

Dear fans, Please let us know how we can order Kari's timepieces. I heard that there is a long waiting list. Thanks. John

Thanks for your questions. I find posts of this nature much more useful than just reading praises all the time. At the very least, it's educational, especially when there's a lively debate. Cheers.