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K ari Voutilainen stands as a luminary in the world of independent watchmaking, celebrated for meticulous craftsmanship and a dedication to traditional techniques infused with contemporary artistry.
Founded in 2002, the Finnish watchmaker is renowned for creating handcrafted fine watches that are produced in extremely limited runs. This combination of rarity, innovation, and respect for traditional fine watchmaking has seen Kari Voutilainen watches consistently see a strong reception at auction. In this article we present a selection of superlative models seen in Sotheby's salerooms.
This Kari Voutilainen Reference 217QRS sold for 146,050 USD in December 2023, exceeding its high estimate of 120,000 USD.
The 2018 launch of the Kari Voutilainen Reference 217QRS embodied the brand's philosophy. The movement, inspired by the Vingt-8, was entirely designed, fabricated, finished, and assembled in the workshops of Kari Voutilainen. The movement integrated a retrograde date function seamlessly into the mechanism, allowing for effortless adjustment with a simple press of the crown. When transitioning from the 31st to the 1st, the date elegantly "glided" back, a motion that spanned nearly 2 seconds, and a feature that demanded significant time and effort for Kari Voutilainen to perfect.
Further setting this Kari Voutilainen creation apart, this was the first watch to have two escapement wheels in such a configuration. This provided a direct impulse to the balance, requiring less energy than traditional lever escapements, which resulted in enhanced durability and stability for daily wear.
Limited to 30 pieces (10 in platinum, white gold, and rose gold respectively), each case metal offered a distinct dial configuration. Sotheby’s was honoured to offer this Kari Voutilainen watch, numbered 6/10, complete with its original accessories, including the beautifully crafted Cedric Vichard presentation box.
This Kari Voutilainen Chronograph Masterpiece No. 8 sold for 1,778,000 HKD in April 2024, significantly exceeding its high estimate of 1,200,000 HKD.
The Kari Voutilainen Masterpiece Chronograph, created by the renowned atelier in Motiers, adheres to the brand's philosophy of crafting exclusively handmade timepieces.
This particular Kari Voutilainen watch was part of a limited series of 11 pieces crafted in white gold. The case was meticulously handcrafted by Gideon Levingston, starting with a thin sheet of gold that he hand-molded, rather than cutting it from an ingot like with most modern cases.
The chronograph hand and large seconds sub-dial enhanced the watch's visual clarity, emphasizing its purpose as a sophisticated chronograph for measuring precise timing intervals.
This Kari Voutilainen Vingt-8 sold for 1,079,500 HKD in April 2024 during Sotheby's Important Watches sale in Hong Kong.
The Kari Voutilainen Vingt-8 exemplified the artistry and technical mastery of the Finnish watchmaker.
Introduced at Baselworld 2011, the Kari Voutilainen Vingt-8 was the first model to feature the in-house Caliber 28 movement. This innovative movement utilized a unique double escapement wheel system, improving energy efficiency and ensuring precise power regulation in contribution to the watch's exceptional accuracy. The hand-crafted balance wheel, adorned with a Grossmann internal curve and Breguet overcoil, enhanced the mechanical sophistication of the design.
The watch’s aesthetic was equally striking. Its engine-turned guilloché dial, crafted by Kari Voutilainen's subsidiary Comblémine, exuded a refined elegance, while the teardrop lugs and inward-curving bezel created a harmonious case design.
Each piece was fully customizable with a range of materials and dial variations available, making every Vingt-8 a unique treasure. This particular Kari Voutilainen watch featured a rare grey "checkerboard" dial that embodied the brand's dedication to impeccable finishing and bespoke artistry.
This Kari Voutilainen Vingt-8 sold for 1,016,000 HKD in October 2023 during Sotheby's Important Watches sales in Hong Kong.
Among the elusive masterpieces that leave the Kari Voutilainen workshops each year, the Vingt-8 is perhaps the most iconic. Except for the jewels, mainspring and hairspring, the Vingt-8 offered a fully in-house construction, including a unique double escapement wheel architecture that promised to be much more efficient compared to regular lever escapements.
Furthermore, like all of Kari Voutilainen’s creations, this watch featured unparalleled finishing, a trait especially prominent in the 3 different patterns of the blue dial of this watch.
This particular Kari Voutilainen Vingt-8 featured a platinum case and the brand's signature tear-shaped lugs, highlighting the distinguished artistry of the blue dial via the shine of the case.
This Kari Voutilainen Vingt-8 sold for 94,500 USD in December 2021, exceeding its high estimate of 80,000 USD.
Another fine example of the Vingt-8 production run, this striking pink gold example left the factory in 2012. This highly refined timepiece featured a glazed back that showcased the high grade movement with direct impulse double wheel escapement and large balance.
The watch came complete with box, itself a striking example of craftsmanship, and papers, supporting the strong reception seen in our New York auction room.
At Sotheby’s our experts have brought a wide range of extraordinary watches to market, making us well placed to advise clients on the sale or acquisition of a fine and rare watch. Work with Sotheby's specialists and in doing so be part of our community of passionate watch enthusiasts and collectors.
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