Voutilainen Vingt-8 R12 - Power Reserve - Blue Enamel dial

VOUTILAINEN Vingt-8 - R12

Platinum | Blue enamel dial

Origin

Talking independent watchmakers and Kari Voutilainen and his namesake’s brand might take over the conversation. With a background deviating from most other craftsmen – born in Finland, in a family that had nothing to do with watchmaking – his curiosity and invigorating drive match that of a self-made entrepreneur, yet it is his openness to broad exploration and personal involvement in the brand that make him stand out as a craftsman.

Voutilainen, born in 1962, lost his heart in a small watchmaker’s shop in Lapland and enrolled in Kelloseppäkoulu, the watchmaking school in Espoo. Intrigued by calibers – besides a fair amount of cross-country skiing and ice hockey – Voutilainen pursued his training in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. He graduated from the renowned complications program at Wostep, that also formed other prominent watchmakers such as Stephen Forsey and the Grönefeld brothers.

After having worked as an independent restorer, followed by nine years of perfecting his skill at Parmigiani – where he created his first pocket watch, a one-minute tourbillon with power reserve indication in 1994 – developing movements for established brands and working as a teacher at Wostep, Voutilainen started out in 2002 as an independent watchmaker. In a few years’ time, he started to exhibit in Basel. But it would be mistaken to assume that Voutilainen has a collection like any other.

All his timepieces are made in house, as unique pieces or small series, infused by inventiveness, unparalleled artistry and a fine balance between past and future. Voutilainen’s watches are crafted in Môtiers, Switzerland and the master watchmaker – particularly noted for the sumptuous guilloché handwork on the dials and his highly technical and aesthetical movements – is involved in every step along the way.

In 2010 Voutilainen unveiled his in-house movement, the Vingt-8, with a direct impulse escapement. The timepiece here at hand, the Voutilainen 28-R12, is part of this collection and is the only model available in its style.

The Watch

The platinum Voutilainen 28-R12, entirely made by hand, is a private series of eight crafted from 2011 and onwards in Switzerland. Limited to just one piece with an enamel dial (and being two out of eight in platinum), it manifests both skilled craftsmanship and contemporary design with an absolutely thrilling blue dial.

Its platinum case measures a classical 39 mm with distinctive teardrop shaped lugs, one of the watchmaker’s style references, polished to lustre in longevity. Contrary to most Voutilainen timepieces, that have a lacquer dial, this enamel dial adds to the cleverness of this watch, having artistry written all over it.

The center blue enamel dial, crafted in gold instead of the conventional German silver, is manufactured in the workshop of Les Comblémines, owned by Kari Voutilainen. A guilloché technique has been used to create the intricating center pattern, ensuring a dazzling effect on enamel, held in place by a narrow band. The dial is further embellished by the idiosyncratic Observatoire hands, intricately constructed from different components: the shaft, circle and arrow tip.

This Vingt-8 further differs from the standard model with the power-reserve indicator at 12 o’clock, offering a balanced contrast to the small seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock – both sub-counters spotting finely executed hands.

Another signature design element can be found on the side of the case, with two bands that avoid the case from scratching easily.

The Movement

The Voutilainen 28-R12 is powered by a 30 mm manual winding movement, completely developed in house in the Swiss Jura, the Calibre 28. It is distinguished by its large balance wheel (13,6mm in diameter), making up for a high precision with a balance spring that uses a Philips overcoil and internal Grossman curve, beautifully seen through its sapphire caseback.

The caliber features a double wheel, direct impulse escapement, a Voutilainen trademark, and a 64-hour power reserve indicator, embedded in the mainplate – made, as the bridges, of German silver and finished by hand, with a stunning côtes de Genève pattern.

Voutilainen’s high level of craftsmanship and eye for detail resonate through Calibre 28, with all screws and parts finished and polished by hand, each of them instilled by his design philosophy. While hinting to another era by using the large straight bridge and oversized balance wheel, elements to be found in vintage pocket watches, he does so in a contemporary way.

Condition

This unique Voutilainen Vingt-8 R12 timepiece is in excellent, as new condition and has perfect mechanical functioning. It comes as a full set, including box and papers.

The Voutilainen Vingt-8 R12 is fitted with our Saffiano Taupe strap

If you desire to take a closer look at this precious timepiece, don't hesitate to contact us and make an appointment. 

Reference	28-R12
Movement	Manual Wound
Caliber	Calibre Voutilainen 28
Dial	Blue Enamel
Size (Case)	39 mm
Material (Case)	Platinum
Bracelet	Our Saffiano Taupe
Glass	Sapphire
Condition	Mint
Year	2017
Papers	Yes
Box	Yes
Warranty	2 years