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Lot Essay
Accompanied by a Kari Voutilainen Certificate dated March 20th, 2009, Kari Voutilainen wooden presentation box, product literature, and outer packaging.
Christie's is pleased to announce that Kari Voutilainen has graciously offered the purchaser of this timepiece a signed copy of the brand new book Kari Voutilainen - Horlogerie d'Art by Theodore Diehl, just published this fall. This is a rare opportunity for an astute collector to obtain a signed book together with this lot.
Chronomètre 27
Observatory watches were created with the intention of being incredibly accurate and precise; consequently, the overall design and visual finishing was not a priority. Due to the introduction of "high-beat' mechanical movements, and then electronic and quartz movements in the 1970's, the concept of official observatory testing gradually declined and was replaced with the COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) to handle testing movements in large quantities.
Kari Voutilainen discovered several observatory movements that had been fabricated by Longines, and upon examination, was inspired to create a limited series of wristwatches based on the Longines calibers, but with a very high level of both visual and technical finishing. In addition, Kari Voutilainen decided to incorporate a rare and unique balance spring curvature in the final production, known as the Grosmann curve, which gives the same amount of attention to the internal curvature of the spring as the external overcoil. The Chronometre 27 marks the first use of the Grosmann curve in the 21st century, paying homage to older watchmaking techniques that inspired many watchmakers today.
See lot 147 for another example of a Kari Voutilainen watch.
Christie's is pleased to announce that Kari Voutilainen has graciously offered the purchaser of this timepiece a signed copy of the brand new book Kari Voutilainen - Horlogerie d'Art by Theodore Diehl, just published this fall. This is a rare opportunity for an astute collector to obtain a signed book together with this lot.
Chronomètre 27
Observatory watches were created with the intention of being incredibly accurate and precise; consequently, the overall design and visual finishing was not a priority. Due to the introduction of "high-beat' mechanical movements, and then electronic and quartz movements in the 1970's, the concept of official observatory testing gradually declined and was replaced with the COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) to handle testing movements in large quantities.
Kari Voutilainen discovered several observatory movements that had been fabricated by Longines, and upon examination, was inspired to create a limited series of wristwatches based on the Longines calibers, but with a very high level of both visual and technical finishing. In addition, Kari Voutilainen decided to incorporate a rare and unique balance spring curvature in the final production, known as the Grosmann curve, which gives the same amount of attention to the internal curvature of the spring as the external overcoil. The Chronometre 27 marks the first use of the Grosmann curve in the 21st century, paying homage to older watchmaking techniques that inspired many watchmakers today.
See lot 147 for another example of a Kari Voutilainen watch.