Some technical inputs about Kari Voutilainen's calibers

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-house" movement, inspired (as annouced by Kari himself) by his favourite vintage calibers. His experience as a vintage timepiece restorer is never very far when he imagines and developpes new models !

The special balance wheel of the Chronograph Masterpiece was developped with Gedeon Livingstone and his company Carbontime. This really is of the utmost advanced technology within a quite classical looking watch.

Kari also used Longines caliber for one of his creation : the Chronometer 27. This is fitted with the Longines 360, a movement specially developped in the 60s for time measuring contests. It was early put into retirement due to the declining interest toward these contests and only 95 pieces were ever produced. Kari was lucky enought to find 15 pieces and decided to build the Chronometer 27 rectangular watch around these calibers. Why rectangular ? Simply because the Longine 360 is a rectangular shape caliber !

The "Observatoire" wristwatch is based (should say "built around") the Peseux 260, another time measuring contest movement, never used in any production watch.

Last but not least, his fantastic decimal repeaters were developped and produced on the basis of a Louis Audemars caliber (for the Decimal Repeater Masterpiece Nr 6) and LeCoultre Calibers (for the Decimal Repeaters Masterpiece Nr 7 to 10).

Hoping I was not too long and boring with these informations taken "from the mouth of the horse'.

Best regards.

Philippe M

Voutilainen Masterpiece Chronograph

By: Moses. : May 1st, 2009-19:12

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...

Very interesting, indeed!

By: amanico : May 1st, 2009-22:48

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...

I think it's entirely in-house...makes it even more impressive [nt]

By: Moses. : May 2nd, 2009-17:42

Some details on the balance...

By: Moses. : May 2nd, 2009-17:49

"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...

I was told Longines for some models

By: ArthurSG : May 3rd, 2009-01:05

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

Longines for a few of the Chronometres, but as far as I know, not for chronograph. (nt)

By: ThomasM : May 9th, 2009-13:34

I understand that Gideon Levingston...

By: WHL : May 2nd, 2009-18:45

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

thats a really neat balance. i hope we see it more in the future

By: G99 : May 3rd, 2009-15:36

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

Some technical inputs about Kari Voutilainen's calibers

By: Philippe M : May 4th, 2009-03:50

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...

Interesting informations, Philippe

By: amanico : May 4th, 2009-05:02

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

Balance?

By: nickd : May 4th, 2009-08:41

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

balance and hairspring

By: DonCorson : May 4th, 2009-09:32

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...

Well,.....

By: SuitbertW : May 5th, 2009-03:07

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...

Some further detail from Kari (via mysef)

By: Philippe M : May 6th, 2009-13:51

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...

How to order Kari watches

By: JohnFowler : May 7th, 2009-06:24

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 Suitbert

By: eryck.su : May 14th, 2009-19:58

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.