The
Observatoire won the
Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève in the category of “
Best Men's Watch” in 2007, and it is estimated that only around 50 were made, making this piece exceptionally sought-after.
It has three different engine-turned patterns on the gold, silver dial. Each pattern reflects light differently, giving the dial a mixture of tones and fantastic depth. Applied Arabic numerals, a sub-seconds dial at six o’clock with Arabic numerals, and blued steel
Breguet-style hands make up the front view.
Kari Voutilainen's svelte
Observatoire case and signature tear-shaped lugs finish off this fantastic timepiece; showing both the watchmaker's uncompromising attention to detail and craftsmanship.
While
Kari Voutilainen is more famously known for the
Vingt-8, there were a smaller number of
Observatoires made, making them far rarer. Although they look similar on the outside, the movement distinguishes these models. The
Observatoire houses a very special ébauche in the form of a
Peseux 260. It was an observatory-grade movement made in the last century for research purposes and for precision timing competitions in the
Geneva and
Neuchâtel Observatories. Never made available for public purchase, it is estimated that only 3300 examples of the
Peseux 260 ébauche were made. When
Kari Voutilainen found untouched new old stock examples of this movement, he knew he had stumbled-across something special and proceeded to build a suitably special watch to house them.
The manual-winding movement itself is one of the most accurate ever made, but it was still heavily-modified by
Kari Voutilainen for the
Observatoire. Some of the aesthetic changes made include the high-level of finishing
Voutilainen is famous for, with Geneva stripes on the bridges, chamfering on all the edges and perlage beneath. The timing screws used are made of platinum, contributing to a stunning movement.
Mechanically, some changes were made too, as Kari modified the entire escapement and inserted his own balance wheel, hairspring and escape-mechanism. Most notably, the strategically engineered balance-spring with the exterior using a
Breguet overcoil and the
Grosmann curve for the interior, distributing tension evenly between the internal curve of the balance spring and the external overcoil. The free-sprung balance-wheel beats at 18,000 A/h. With all of this, the
Voutilainen Observatoire is a truly special watch that holds a place in independent watchmaking history.
Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.
