Kari Voutilainen – Master Watchmaker

In a round table discussion among the most worldly of watch collectors, unanimity and agreement would find themselves in scarce supply. One name however is almost certain to unite the opinions of even the most diametrically opposed critics; that of Kari Voutilainen, and at Chronolux Fine Watches, it is our particular pleasure to present his collections for your perusal.

At the 2015 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève,  the Oscars of the watch industry, Kari's magnificent GMR secured top honours in the cherished Prix de la Montre Homme category - the third time one of his watches had done so. The GPHG is the industry event and every company CEO lusts after the chance to deliver an acceptance speech, and so for this wonderful, unassuming and genial watchmaker to have three GPHG Aiguille awards - as well as countless others from around the world - on display in his atelier is no mean feat.

This universal appreciation of Kari Voutilainen and his watches comes as a result of work which, at the same time, draws together the technical values of the true pioneers of horology, an eye for exquisite beauty and attention to detail on a molecular level, and a steady hand to ensure a superlative standard of workmanship and immaculate finishing on every single piece which bears his name.

A native of Finland, Kari realised a natural and profound talent for watchmaking as a young man at the Tapiola watchmaking school, before relocating to Switzerland in 1989 to further his studies. There, he excelled on the WOSTEP postgraduate complicated watch course at the International School of Watchmaking. His abilities as a student attracted the interest of the Parmigiani Mesure et Art du Temps company, who would become his employer for the next ten years, and where he worked on the restoration of rare and valuable pieces, as well as creating unique movements. All the time honing an extraordinary talent with a keen eye for the beautiful, and an uncompromising self-insistence on the flawless finishing of every detail, which combined would make his watches renowned around the world.

As is so typical of his philanthropic nature, he would return to the International School of Watchmaking to educate and instruct the promising young watchmakers for a number of years, even after he had found success in his own right, feeding back his experience to a small group of fortunate students.

In 2002 Kari established his atelier as an Artist Watchmaker in the tranquil Val de Travers village of Môtiers, in the Neuchâtel canton. Surrounded by village life and a natural beauty from which inspiration often flowed, his creations, which now bore the Voutilainen name on the dial continued to build a the growing international reputation and quickly established him as a man at the very pinnacle of his craft.

A multiple award winner, Kari Voutilainen has worked in collaboration with numerous high-end independent companies including Maîtres du Temps and MB&F, and his timepieces have become legend amongst his own peers, and with the wider collector community in every corner of the world.

It is no understatement to say that I am beyond proud to represent the Master that is Kari Voutilainen on Chronolux Fine Watches.