Independents

alex
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Kari Voutilainen's new inhouse caliber

Last week I was visiting Kari Voutilainen and had the extreme privilege to see the prototypes of his inhouse movement which should be launched within the next 2 months.

He asked me not to say too much but what I can say is that is will be a killer! It will feature a new escapement never seen in a watch before!!!!!

But first lets have a look at the clothes: The case is typical Kari, with the tear drop lugs and a 39mm diameter. It will be available in rose gold, white gold and platinum.

Kari will start with two different dials: silver and slate grey with two different engine turned motifs each either with Arabic or Roman numerals. Kari now has an inhouse guillocheur who is especially gifted and can reproduce special patterns upon request.

Here are the first two dials which need to recieve color treatement and have the numerals applied

Kari had been thinking of this special escapement for many years but actually sat down to design it 3 years ago. The first tests were made on an Unitas movement where he replaced the escapement with his own and Kari says with great pride: "it worked perfectly first time round"!

The caliber has been in fact functionning for close to two years, it has been made reliable and Kari is currently working on assembly of the very first models.

The construction is extremely inovative and will have the typical extremely high level Kari Voutilainen finish.

The movement is manufactured entirely in Kari's workshops, he only buys the mainspring,the hairspring (to which he gives a Breguet overcoil) and the jewels! 

the pillar holding the balance bridge:
 

the balance bridge before and after finish:

an extra large free sprung balannce:

the assebmled but unfinished movement and even in this state it looks phenomenal! Note that in the final watch the center wheel and the chatons will be in rose gold and the plates and bridges in German silver.

stay tuned.......

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