Since making its debut at Baselworld 2011, the Vingt-8 has become the first Voutilainen to have anything resembling a continuous run of production, although of course, being entirely manufactured in the atelier, each single piece is unique and no two quite alike, and production is limited to small numbers.
With molecular attention to detail the Vingt-8 exudes excellence at every angle; its round 39mm case has a large sapphire crystal as the inwardly curving bezel barely encroaches on the dial, offering a magnificent vista, and, extended at each end by teardrop lugs, is luxuriant, elegant yet quite understated.
The dial and the signature Voutilainen hands are absolutely magnificent. There are no short-cuts taken here, as each dial is hand decorated in a variety of guilloché finishes, using a traditional hand-operated rose engine to painstakingly turn each little cut without error. The effect of the contrasting patternage is a subtle play on the ambient light as the watch moves on the wrist, and reflects off the alternating aspects of the finish. It's not flashy in any way, it's just enough to amuse the eye as it shimmies with the light, and draw admiring glances. Where the obvious option would be hands fashioned from a single strand of metal, Voutilainen uses four: a slender pin of white or rose gold connects the oxidised blued steel arrow-tipped hoop with the opposing centrepiece.
Of particular note is the Vingt-8 movement, being as it is the first to be fully manufactured in-house in Môtiers under the Voutilainen name. Through the sapphire caseback, the enormous free sprung balance wheel oscillates gracefully beneath a polished bridge of exquisite simplicity, a feature which beautiful in its own right, also serves to provide a completely unobstructed view of the throbbing heart of the watch. Also visible is the twin-wheel escapement arrangement which with its synchronised delivery of energy ensures optimal accuracy; the Calibre 28 hand winding movement comfortably falling within COSC chronometer requirements.
Vingt-8 is presented in limited numbers in white or rose gold, with the added exclusivity of platinum as an option. Dials and hands combinations are also to customer preference, although there is often a small selection of non-commissioned pieces available.
