Is masochism really such a bad thing?

Aug 01, 2013,18:50 PM
 

Mostel,


Thank you for your thought provoking question.

First, I have to declare my unbiased position as I do not own a Voutilainen watch. I've seen a fair number and, of course, the Voutilainen PuristS' 10th edition for our 10th anniversary that I delivered to the loyal Owner.

The relationship between a bespoke watchmaker, the patron and the resultant watch is a special thing. It always has been. The spectrum of dominant to submissive, with respect to design boundaries accepted by both parties has been the eternal struggle in every patron - purveyor relationship e.g. Pope Julius II vs. Michelangelo,  Lorenzo de Medici vs. Leonardo, diner who asked for side order of chips (french fries) vs. Chef Marco Pierre White or Mr XYZ vs. Dufour.

The extremes of the relationship are illustrated by the phrases below:
"Whoever pays the piper, chooses the tune."
"Get outta my establishment !"

Some patrons "like" it when the artist (painter, cook or watchmaker) gives them hell and changes nothing. Extra bonus for abuse, please.

Some patrons just want their personal vision realised.

Sometimes, the perfect storm results in a masterpiece.......

Regards,
MTF



This message has been edited by MTF on 2013-08-01 18:54:49


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Part II - Kari Voutilainen at Baselworld 2013

 
 By: small-luxury-world : July 30th, 2013-11:24
This is part II, related to this: / The man behind the brand is a gentleman (in all its meaning), a “super star” (not sure if he would agree ;-) ), a master of complications (including extra ordinary finishing) … still one of the most humble and serious ...  

Thanks for a great report!!

 
 By: Hororgasm : July 30th, 2013-11:57
I am on the verge of a custom piece from KV, and this report might just swing it in a certain way :)- Best, Horo

Horo, I would be proud ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : July 31st, 2013-11:53
if I would have "inspired" your next piece :-) Good luck! Oliver

Hmm...

 
 By: Gary G : July 31st, 2013-22:03
Decimal repeater with ankle shot engraving by Eddy Jaquet? :-) Best, Gary

Great article Oliver, you proceeded to the soul

 
 By: timerider : July 30th, 2013-12:26
of each watch in your tantalizing observations and excellent photographs. Many thanks for a great read on a great watchmaker. Best to all, Tim

Tim, it´s all about ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : July 31st, 2013-11:54
the soul isn´t it? Who needs watches? :-) Best, Oliver

Thriller

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : July 30th, 2013-14:15
of a post :) Got me on the edge of seat till very end and then in tradition of greatest thriller writers you surprised me with your choice Thank you for great pictures and write up Best regards Damjan

... together with ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : July 31st, 2013-11:56
popcorn and beer? I am happy that you liked it my friend! Oliver

Always good to see Kari's watches. in another universe...

 
 By: Ronald Held : July 30th, 2013-14:58
I would have him work on a custom project or maybe get a decimal MR. Horo, you have to tell us of your project's progress over time!

Thanks Ronald and ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : July 31st, 2013-11:58
please tell me when you found that universe :-) Oliver

Many thanks, Oliver. You captured the master's...

 
 By: elliot55 : July 30th, 2013-16:37
... true spirit. Kari is an amazing individual. It is almost hard to understand how a man with such over-the-top talents stays so humble and grounded. When I spent some time with him in Basel, it was clear that Kari was the horologist all others looked to... 

Thanks Oliver for your..........

 
 By: Topcat30093 : July 30th, 2013-22:54
Excellent report. Regards Tony

Thanks a lot ..

 
 By: small-luxury-world : July 31st, 2013-11:59
for your kind reply. Oliver

Elliot, pictures come to my mind ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : July 31st, 2013-11:59
after reading your experience. Great! Oliver

I searched through my archives...

 
 By: elliot55 : July 31st, 2013-14:28
... and found these two shots from a show they did in Los Angeles about 6 or 7 years ago. Luke clearly puts forth a different kind of effort when Beck's close by. Jeff Beck - Billboard Live Sunset Strip Steve Lukather - Billboard Live Sunset Strip - Scott...  

Oliver, ...

 
 By: Ornatus-Mundi : July 30th, 2013-23:57
what shall I say - I am in total agreement with your predilection for the Sarasamon piece and all I can say: it has to be like this - the dial, the case, the hands and the strap. Who would have thought that such a dial would fit so well to a Voutilainen w... 

Once more ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : July 31st, 2013-12:00
I am not surprised :-) Thanks, my friend! Oliver

You have an excellent taste, my friend :-)

 
 By: KIH : July 31st, 2013-09:04
I would love to go to the lacquer master with Kari :-) Great report, Oliver! Ken

... and you are living in one of the most ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : July 31st, 2013-12:02
dangerous places in the world. Whenever I visit you, I have to take good care about my bankaccount ... :-) Thanks, my friend! Oliver

Yeah, I am defying the "danger" everyday...

 
 By: KIH : July 31st, 2013-17:54
... and I will try to protect you from it, too :-) Ken

I don't 'get' Kari anymore

 
 By: Mostel : July 31st, 2013-12:11
I was a worshipping fan up til a year or so ago. I made a dream come true and owned an Observatoire. Then I sold it. Strangely, I never fell in love with that watch. But I could never say it lacked passion or breathtaking attention to detail. However, it ... 

Mostel, you have some interesting thoughts ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : July 31st, 2013-12:38
and with some I can agree. "collectors whims" I don´t like them all and even discussed it with Kari, several times. But when it comes to taste, who can judge? Would you mind to share more of your thoughts regarding your piece? What went wrong? The first w... 

Very interesting observations!

 
 By: Gary G : July 31st, 2013-22:03
Thanks for your forthright comments here -- while I am a big admirer and devoted customer of Kari's, I by no means adore every single implementation of his vision -- but that's somewhat par for the course, I suspect. I do agree with you that Kari is perha... 

Interesting Mostel

 
 By: andrewluff : July 31st, 2013-23:53
I am curious as to why you did not gel with the watch.... I normally fall head over heels for a watch before I own it, then fall more in love with it when it is on the wrist or feel like I have been married to it for years (ie. I have to wear it but not n... 

Is masochism really such a bad thing?

 
 By: MTF : August 1st, 2013-18:50
Mostel, Thank you for your thought provoking question. First, I have to declare my unbiased position as I do not own a Voutilainen watch. I've seen a fair number and, of course, the Voutilainen PuristS' 10th edition for our 10th anniversary that I deliver... 

A real purists watch maker...

 
 By: Ornatus-Mundi : August 2nd, 2013-08:32
would be either Rolex or Patek Philippe - with their take-it-or-leave-it approach... We watch enthusiasts are a really strange crowd. We appreciate independent watchmakers because of the 'personal experience', the individual touch and the 'intimate proces... 

Let's remember M.Breguet

 
 By: chintu : August 4th, 2013-00:23
Some of the historical horological treasures came into existence because M.Breguet chose to produce bespoke watches for Napoleon, Mary Antoinette without the funding from these "collectors", the concept and the watches would never have been realized. I b... 

Patek...

 
 By: andrewluff : August 4th, 2013-08:00
Have done unique pieces too for important clients. No idea on Rolex as not a brand I follow... Cheers Andrew

My thoughts...

 
 By: Mostel : August 4th, 2013-20:40
I appreciate very much the replies to my comment. I was not imagining it would be so provocative, quite honestly. Well, to get to my response: The Observatoire itself could probably not be a finer watch, in any way. I would never speak a word of that sort... 

Mostel,rest assured

 
 By: moc : August 5th, 2013-04:26
That your words came across loud and clear, sometimes it happens, the live experience( not only live, but when you put your money towards a certain watch) is the only way to realise if the two of you are meant together or not...... A bit like a relationsh... 

some very thoughtful personal words

 
 By: dedestexhes : August 6th, 2013-07:05
well who can argue with someones feelings for a specific watch! I love these passionate stories. Best regards, Dirk

Mostel, threads like this make me...

 
 By: elliot55 : August 16th, 2013-10:00
... so happy. Reading your assessment brings a huge smile across my face. You nailed every point with precision. As a collector who is currently in the process of custom spec discussions with the master himself, I can and will say that not all of KV 's pi...