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Lot Essay
Kari Voutilainen is one of the most impressive of contemporary independent watchmakers. His superlative work engages us immediately on a physical level and one can only stand in awe at the commitment, patience and dedication required to create these completely captivating mechanical works of art. When any one of Voutilainen’s phenomenal watches comes to auction it always creates a frisson of excitement among collectors. The present watch is very special indeed, Voutilainen’s GMT-6 dual-time model, it was made as a unique piece for the legendary bi-annual ‘Only Watch’ charity auction in 2015. The entire conception, design, manufacture, finishing and assembly of this watch was carried out in Voutilainen workshops. Sporting a stainless steel case with 18k white gold crown, the dial is a masterpiece for which Kari Voutilainen is renowned. The perfection and beauty of his engine turned dials, created on age-old engine turning machines is remarkable, it can take two days of work to complete the engine turning to the required standard. The present dial is made from a solid gold disc which has been silvered after engine turning and then overlaid with translucent enamel in blue and yellow to stunning visual effect.
With 60-hours of power reserve, the 21 jewel movement features rose gold wheels and an escapement with two escape-wheels that receive direct impulse. The large 13.60 mm diameter free-sprung balance is fitted with a Breguet/Grossmann balance spring and rose gold inertia blocks. However, the present watch’s most fascinating feature is its direct-impulse escapement, it was the first watch to be fitted with two escape-wheels in this configuration. The advantage of this escapement is that it is extremely efficient and requires less energy than a traditional lever escapement and is therefore more stable in everyday use.
The GMT mechanism is integral to the movement and is indicated by a disc at 6 o’clock, the disc displays 24-hours in conjunction with a day/night indicator. The disc is advanced by pressing the crown, each press advancing the disc by one hour, a triangular pointer on the subsidiary seconds dial is the marker by which the second time zone can be read.
Kari Voutilainen has a deep understanding of true luxury, each element of his watches is designed and made with the same attention to detail however small. This unique ‘Only Watch’ GMT-6 is a dream timepiece for the collector of the best Independently made wristwatches, it offers exclusivity, complexity, beauty and the reassurance of handmade excellence.
Kari Voutilainen Born in Finland in 1962, he completed his initial watchmaker's training at the renowned watchmaking school of Tapiola in Finland. A stint at Switzerland's prestigious international watchmaking school WOSTEP in Neuchâtel, Switzerland in 1990 led to work at the Atelier of Parmigiani, where he worked for nine years, followed by a few years of work as a watchmaking teacher for WOSTEP. Following his passion, and in order to preserve this highly prized tradition, Kari Voutilainen established his own business as an independent Artist Watchmaker in the village of Môtiers in 2002.
With 60-hours of power reserve, the 21 jewel movement features rose gold wheels and an escapement with two escape-wheels that receive direct impulse. The large 13.60 mm diameter free-sprung balance is fitted with a Breguet/Grossmann balance spring and rose gold inertia blocks. However, the present watch’s most fascinating feature is its direct-impulse escapement, it was the first watch to be fitted with two escape-wheels in this configuration. The advantage of this escapement is that it is extremely efficient and requires less energy than a traditional lever escapement and is therefore more stable in everyday use.
The GMT mechanism is integral to the movement and is indicated by a disc at 6 o’clock, the disc displays 24-hours in conjunction with a day/night indicator. The disc is advanced by pressing the crown, each press advancing the disc by one hour, a triangular pointer on the subsidiary seconds dial is the marker by which the second time zone can be read.
Kari Voutilainen has a deep understanding of true luxury, each element of his watches is designed and made with the same attention to detail however small. This unique ‘Only Watch’ GMT-6 is a dream timepiece for the collector of the best Independently made wristwatches, it offers exclusivity, complexity, beauty and the reassurance of handmade excellence.
Kari Voutilainen Born in Finland in 1962, he completed his initial watchmaker's training at the renowned watchmaking school of Tapiola in Finland. A stint at Switzerland's prestigious international watchmaking school WOSTEP in Neuchâtel, Switzerland in 1990 led to work at the Atelier of Parmigiani, where he worked for nine years, followed by a few years of work as a watchmaking teacher for WOSTEP. Following his passion, and in order to preserve this highly prized tradition, Kari Voutilainen established his own business as an independent Artist Watchmaker in the village of Môtiers in 2002.