Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Voutilainen KV21 Tonneau, An All-New Collection for the Indie Watchmaker
The revered independent watchmaker has something new, and it’s a tonneau-shaped watch, with a new movement too.
A seminal figure of independent watchmaking, Kari Voutilainen is one of the most respected and revered craftsmen of the watchmaking industry, manufacturing only a few dozen timepieces each year to a standard that mass production can never attain. With integrity and exceptional artistry, his creations – produced in highly limited numbers – are considered grail watches by collectors, making every new release from the Finnish-born master a moment of significance for horological aficionados. Just ahead of Dubai Watch Week, a visit to his picturesque workshop, perched atop a cliff overlooking Fleurier in the Val-de-Travers, was the opportunity to discover his latest creation, a watch with a new shape and a new movement, the Voutilainen KV21 Tonneau.
This new tonneau-shaped watch remains true to Voutilainen’s distinctive style. Yet, as its name suggests, it comes in a barrel-shaped case housing a new (well, sort of) movement, the KV21 calibre. The tonneau shape is not per se entirely unprecedented, as Voutilainen’s website already lists a unique-piece tonneau model fitted with a jumping second movement manufactured quite some time ago. It now comes in a traditional time-only version with a revised movement displaying the hours, minutes and a classic small-second indication at 6 o’clock. And, as you have come to expect from this detail-obsessed craftsman, its apparent simplicity leaves nothing to chance.
The case, measuring 39.50mm in length and 35mm in width, features rounded sides with straight upper and lower edges. It is complemented by short teardrop lugs – a Voutilainen signature feature. Kari Voutilainen has a particular affinity for shaped watches, and he devoted special attention to the design of this piece to achieve harmonious lines, optimised ergonomics, and comfort on the wrist. Its mix of polished and satin-finished surfaces highlights refined craftsmanship. Made in-house, the large, easy-to-operate crown adds both practicality and character. The case can be ordered in multiple materials, from steel to platinum, gold or titanium. It is up to the future owner to decide.
The superb dial comes in distinctive Voutilainen style and is crafted with Brodbeck guillochage (Voutilainen’s company specialised in guillochage and métiers d’art) and Comblémine (his dial manufacture). It elegantly follows the contours of its tonneau-shaped case and features elaborate hand-guilloché decoration on a silver base, and combines different patterns concentrically. The central section is framed by a dotted silver minute ring. Within this area are applied gold Arabic numerals, baton markers, and a small seconds subdial, also framed by an applique and adorned with its own distinct guilloché pattern. The interplay of textures and finishes lends the watch a captivating sense of depth. As you have come to expect from Voutilainen, the hallmark gold and blued-steel hands are hand-made and meticulously hand-finished.
The KV21 hand-wound movement
Turning the watch over, the caseback is secured by 4 screws with the brand’s signature three-hole design. It provides an unimpeded view of the outstanding KV21 hand-wound movement. A true feast for the eyes. In typical Voutilainen style, the design, the construction, the fabrication, the finishing and the assembly of this new calibre are all performed in-house in the Voutilainen workshop. Inspired by the KV20 movement, the KV21 has been developed to integrate complications requiring the entire surface of the main plate on the dial side, without significantly affecting the movement’s thickness.
On one side of this 30mm calibre, the barrel bridge with crown wheel and barrel ratchet are superbly polished. On the other side, the large 13.5mm free-sprung balance wheel with rose gold timing weights is supported by a single-armed, bercé polished balance wheel bridge. The exterior of the spring has a Phillips overcoil, while the internal curve uses a Grossmann curve, further increasing accuracy. This is quite rare, as the majority of hairsprings in mechanical watches come without an outer or inner curve. And having both an outer and inner terminal curve is extremely difficult to create and can only be achieved when the watchmaker bends the hairspring by hand. Beneath the balance are the two blued escape wheels – the brand’s classic direct impulse escapement, although slightly modified according to Voutilainen. The German silver bridges and mainplate are hand-frosted, with large, hand-made polished bevels and proper internal anglage. All the visible wheels are made from solid 18K gold, while the remaining wheels of the gear train are made from German silver.
Availability & Price
The Voutilainen KV21 Tonneau is paired with a hand-sewn leather strap. The watch is released in limited editions of 8 pieces for each of the following metals: steel, platinum, titanium, white gold and rose gold. The piece we had the opportunity to go hands-on with has a burgundy dial, but Kari Voutilainen mentioned other options, both in terms of colours and guilloché patterns. It can be personalised according to the owner’s preferences. Price starts from CHF 134,000 excluding taxes, in steel or titanium.
For more information, please visit www.voutilainen.ch.
