Independents

Good evening gentlemen, As I've been reading Kari Voutilainen's book cleverly written by Theodore Diehl lately and as I had a wide look at articles on the internet, I also had an overall look at Voutilainen's unique or very limited pieces and how some are...  

No Raymond but I guess during our horological journey we go from discoveries to other discoveries and now for me it is KV time :) Cheers, Mark

Mark, Thank you for taking the time to make such a fantastic and educational post! KV's work is brilliant. Particular standouts for me - 1. The 'Seven Sisters' - the GMT/night and day subdial is not only lovely to look at, it is also located just a bit of... 

I guess we could like them all but everyone will have a different top 3 :) Yes I also find that, even if they may look curious at first sight, I love off-centered subdials and as you pointed out it lasts longer. I noticed the same thing in the Nautilus 57... 

Who's watches speaks volumes What a nice Christmas gift you prepared for us to read and enjoy dear Mark To become Master of masters Kari needs Perpetual Calendar to complete Holy Trinity of High Horology Yours gratefully Damjan

Indeed Damjan I was thinking lately about what could he add as a new complication and it is quite a tough question. I think, with the métiers d'arts and the pure philosophy that a special Moonphase disk crafted by an artist could be something great. Who k... 

My favs being the simpler ones, and, among the most complicated the Minute Repeater 10, the Masterpiece 8, the Jura ( or Alps ) Mountain GMT, and the Astronomy. These dials are so delicious, so exquisite. The Chronometre 27 is superb, too. Thank you so mu... 

I agree with your approach, especially when you think about something you may be wearing if you had it. Although, on pictures, the MR10 looks a bit busy (it was my first impression when I discovered it) it must be a real beauty in the metal with this open... 

And I never could forget it. Just wow. The depth, the care on the dial is just breathtaking. Kari sure knows how to drive us crazy! Best, Nicolas

I saw from Gary's posts in the past that someone he knows has one, I don't know if it is that collector you know the watch from too. Anyway, I read more that once that the quality of this 27 case and dial are outstanding. I hope I'll be able to see it one... 

I am speachless ! My absolute dream, and Kari himself is such a humble person, it ads to the beauty of these timepieces. 1000 thanks Mark for this superb reference post about KV. Mike

You're welcome Mike Yes, the man behind the watches is a big part of why we like them as it is often the case when dealing with independant watchmaking. Thanks a lot for your words! Cheers, Mark

Congrats, truly the best post ever seen...

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Cheers.

my KV folder thanks you very much! happy holidays chris

Several months of gathering pictures here and there :) Thanks Chris. Cheers, Mark

Awfully fun to view so many of KV's timepieces in a single place. Amazing how many different timepieces he's managed to create in a relatively short period of time, and at no point does the workmanship seems to suffer in the least. Many of these are among... 

and have a look at what he did in the past. As many of these pieces could have reached their owner without us knowing, I'm grateful these were shared with the watch community. As you mention it, I also appreciate that, with time, the work remains at the s... 

So many Voutilainen watches in a single post is a real treat, so thank you. Beyond the outstanding watchmaking, all of Kari's watches have artistic soul, which is why they are so easily admired.

Thanks jmp I'm glad you like it. As I said before, the watchmaker's soul is much more readable through his work than a traditional brand. This is something we really appreciate in independant watchmaking indeed, and Kari seems really to fly at the top. Ch... 

What a fantastic source of information and an array of wonderful pictures. So much variety in his pieces, dials and movements, he really is a genius. Another one to be unveiled soon ;) Thanks for taking the time to prepare it for us. Cheers Andrew

...the heart of a hard worker and very talented man. I'm glad you liked it Andrew, thanks for your nice comments. We would even like to find more pictures of these rare beauties :) Cheers, Mark

I know where some of it would go. Should I ask Kari which of his watches are the most accurate: Observatoire, Vingt-8, or his detent chronometer?

I guess they would be similar and need a very precise device to measure the differences. Anyway, as you proposed, with a million I would carry on the tests myself! (maybe his Board Chronometer would bring the best performance?) A chrono, a minute repeater... 

Such an impressive collection of Kari's watches, and what a post! This certainly does remind one of Kari's incredible skills, and vision, with all pieces showing KV DNA, even in various shapes and complications. Probably the greatest breadth of any indepe... 

I indeed thought it could be nice to remember some older watches he made as they are still very interesting, in all aspects. Kari really succeeded in finding his style in a classic way which looks beautiful and in the mean time which won't fade away. As f... 

Hello TB. Isn't that tonneau something else - and with jumping seconds!!! Feel a 'friendship watch' coming on??? :-) Cheers, pplater.

and talked about a nicely crafted moonphase. But I may say I would love to see another jumping second.

Met Kari at a dinner several years ago and I was immediately in awe of him and his amazing watches. On my shortlist. Best, JerryW

Thank you for the all information in one place Just stunning watches , really like the designs.

It is really a watchmaker who is worth to discover. Cheers, Mark

I imagine the pelasure to spend an evening diner in his company. I've just met him for the first time in Paris at Belles Montres last November. He was very available to discuss and I could really appreciate the man. Thanks Jerry for chiming in ;) Cheers, ... 

I had the fantastic opportunity to have dinner with both the same evening Kari V. and Ludovic B. last november after Belles Montres Show. That was such a fantastic evening ( we were just about 20 ). These 2 extremely talented creators are equally nice and... 

and has a very interesting approach of watchmaking, the upside/down, the half-time but also the Harry Winston. Great fun talking with him. I hope you'll be able to get one soon, it's a fantastic project imho :) Have a nice Sunday Mike, Cheers, Mark

Hi Mark, Hahahaha, I think that is the first time I have ever seen the header and the first few sentences of an article, and thought to myself... "No... don't read it yet... finish your tasks for the day, get everything done, and then savour this!" And I ... 

I greatly appreciate your words Imran :) I guess KV's watches do all the job! And it is true that Gary is telling the story in a formidable way. I don't how many different pieces I could see on the net but I guess that many watches collectors picked up di... 

That is what tickles me ,watchmaking,tailored watchmaking....wow....I can t even express the sheer admiration I have towards Kari s work.. Impressive gathering of pictures Mark,incredible effort. Mo ...  

I forgot to post it! I had a wristshot from Fx but it was late and I went to fast :p Thanks for your picture, I'll keep it in my lair. I think we have the same approach concerning KV's work (and himself) and I think going for one of his pieces perfectly m... 

for your wonderful review of Voutilainen's production or the least ten years. I am trying hard but canot really see anyone who can match him in terms of creativity, quality and variety, except perhaps J.P. Journe. Kari's atelier is much smaller though and... 

message written on the fly ... Too late to correct when I read it again. Btw I find the edit function so hard to find... Best

Hey Z', Thanks a lot for your comments it was a pleasure to share with you all here. I would say it is quite unique in this "industry" as it goes really far in the attention given to finishing quality and the work he is carrying on to bring something new ... 

Ah! if you could review each and everyone of the Observatoires that have been produced! A dream that I have had for many years. Imagine what a book it would make...! :-) Thank you for your nice words. As you are asking about that specific watch, yes, I st... 

but I thought about it. I would certainly not have all of them but it would be fun to make a long post with the ones I know. And I'd like to talk about the Vingt-8 caliber and the V-8R I didn't like when it was launched but which I love now :p As a great ... 

A must read for any Kari's fan. Congrats. Fx

And thanks for the pictures ;) Cheers, Mark

What an amazing undertaking; what a great post! Because this will undoubtedly become a reference post, will you kindly permit the addition of one more image? The watch in question is important because it is the first of the ' Observatoire ' series, commis...  

First, you're too kind, I appreciate your words very much :) I didn't know about this watch, thanks for sharing the anecdote and the picture. Those 2 details (hands and lugs) transform the watch quite significantly and make me think that each detail count... 

thanks Pplater for refreshing our memory and showing us a picture of that seminal watch. Kudos to Felipe Jordao. As for what Kari enjoys wearing, yes, always his own, but as always polite and curious, he also enjoys trying many of the watches brought by h... 

This is my favorite KV model (one off?) of all time. I wish he would go back and make it his statement base in all metals.

I've both learned tons and have newer and greater admiration for these timepieces!! Wonderful and hope their happy owners will continue to share their pix of these fine pieces with us here! Thanks for taking the time to make this post!! Great!! S

As many are personnalised and unique I guess we can discover some new models every day. Thanks a lot for your comments Cheers, Mark

I truly enjoyed this post and the wish the thread will never ends! Thanks a lot for your effort in putting all this art pieces together and may it be a place where other collectors will unveil their hidden treasures. One last note, the Chronometer 27 is a...  

and congratulations for the 27, it is a very unique KV indeed. Glad you enjoyed the post :) Cheers, Mark

I discover it only now but thanks a lot Mark, great great post, some I didn't know like these awesome pocket watches.

It was a pleasure to share his short history among these rare models. I do like the pocket watch a lot too... Cheers, Mark

I'm glad you liked it. I thought it was nice to talk about such talented watchmaker from time to time. Cheers, Mark

Beautiful review. Personally I love the Masterpiece 6, the Masterpiece 8, the Masterpiece Chronograph I, the Chronograph Monopoussoir and the Tonneau. Actually just one of them will make me fly to the moon....and stay there:) Cheers Francois

The Master 6 and the Monopoussoir are really on the top for me too. Thanks and you're welcome François it was a pleasure to share. Cheers, Mark

For MR, the chimes are loud enough. Overall, I prefer the last MR video. The rest has room for improvement. However, the flaw of the last MR is that the minute chime is losing its speed towards the end. I just got the chance to hear the chimes of Christop... 

And I must say that from the few MRs I could hear, this is may be not the best (in rythm or sound). But I think I should live the experience in real to be affirmative. Thanks for sharing Ling. Cheers, Mark