This white-gold Voutilainen Vingt-8 is, in many ways, the embodiment of artisanal watchmaking. Made entirely at the Voutilainen workshop in Môtiers, Switzerland, it is characterised by a number of distinctive features, emphasising Kari's uncompromising movement finishing and watchmaking style.
Throughout his life, Kari Voutilainen has followed the path which we’ve come to expect from noteworthy independent watchmakers – after his graduation from watchmaking school, he joined Parmigiani, one of the foremost restoration workshops in Switzerland, then took on a teaching role at the Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Educational Program in 2002, before establishing himself as an independent watchmaker.
The Vingt-8 has arguably become the backbone of Voutilainen’s offering. With the first models leaving the workshop in 2011, the Calibre 28 was developed entirely in-house and is regulated by the double-wheel escapement that has become a trademark of the Finnish watchmaker. As Kari has stated publicly, “the design and philosophy of the movement combines respect for longevity and precision with classical watchmaking tradition”.
This piece is perhaps the epitome of Voutilainen’s design, with a combination of a white-gold case and grey dial. There are three separate guilloché patterns decorating the dial, all of which have been meticulously engine turned by hand. Each pattern reflects light differently, giving the dial a mixture of tones and fantastic depth. Applied Arabic numerals, index markers and matching Breguet hands, with blued steel, add further classicism to this piece. Kari Voutilainen's signature tear-shaped lugs finish off this Vingt-8, showing the watchmaker's uncompromising attention to detail and craftsmanship.
The watch is powered by the calibre 28. Through the combination of a free-sprung balance with Breguet overcoil, a Grossmann interior curve, and the signature direct impulse escapement with two large (13.6mm) escapement wheels, a high degree of engineering ingenuity is accomplished. One of the hallmarks of Voutilainen as a manufacture is their superlative hand-finishing, with expert anglage and a mixture of complementary surfaces.
Closer look
| Brand: |
Voutilainen
|
| Model: |
Vingt-8
|
| Movement: |
Manual-winding calibre 28 |
| Functions: |
Hours, minutes, sub-seconds |
| Case material: |
White Gold |
| Case diameter: |
39mm
|
| Crystal: |
Sapphire front and back |
| Strap: |
ACM's strap - Grey textured calf, Voutilainen grey crocodile strap, Voutilainen black crocodile strap, Voutilainen white gold buckle, Voutilainen stainless steel buckle |
| Lug width: |
20x16mm |
| Year: |
2012 (sold) |
| Box & papers: |
Outer box, inner box with dust cover, Voutilainen certification, service booklet, Vichard wristwatch display box certification, polishing cloth |
This Vingt-8 is in excellent condition with light superficial marks consistent with minimal wear. These are most notable on the back of the bottom right lug and on the bezel at 4 o’clock. The grey textured dial remains in immaculate untouched condition, including the blued steel minute, hour and seconds hand.
The watch is guaranteed for authenticity and comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man.
