144
Voutilainen
Chronograph Masterpiece "Prototype"
A unique and superb white gold chronograph prototype wristwatch
- Estimate
- CHF120,000 - 240,000€125,000 - 249,000$132,000 - 264,000
CHF254,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Voutilainen
- Year
- 2006
- Movement No
- 00/25
- Model Name
- Chronograph Masterpiece "Prototype"
- Material
- 18K white gold
- Calibre
- Manual, Cal 25, 28 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Leather
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Voutilainen pin buckle
- Dimensions
- 39.5mm Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by fitted and unique box, Certificate signed by Kari Voutilainen confirming the watch is a unique prototype, guarantee and service booklet, polishing cloth, extra Voutilainen strap, outer packaging
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
It is always an incredibly exciting moment when offering a timepiece from Kari Voutilainen, one of the world's greatest artisanal watchmakers who infuses his watches with technical prowess, aesthetic greatness with a pinch of magic.
Imagine the sense of exhilaration when not only offering the very first Voutilainen Masterpiece Chronograph to ever come to the auction market but a unique prototype bearing number 00 that Voutilaien used as a showpiece at Basel Fair 2006 to present the model to collectors and press.
Even though the present chronograph is a masterpiece, Voutilainen meant to give it the historical definition of a piece of work by a craftsman accepted as qualification for membership of a guild as an acknowledged . The present watch was the very first chronograph ever built by Voutilainen, he had started working on the idea of a chronograph in 2004 and completed the present prototype just intime for the 2006 Basel Fair.
The construction of the movement is purely inhouse with a visually arresting mix of gold plated frosted plates and bridges with highly polished and angled components displaying he master's incredible finishing aiming for the highest levels of visual and technical perfection possible.
Inspired by the designs of masters of the 18th century such as Breguet and Jurgensen, Voutilainen designed an off center chronograph/time display to give the dial more life, with the hours and minutes in the bottom part of the dial, the continuous seconds at11 o'clock and the minutes counter at 3 o'clock. Signature elements such as the hollowed hands, delicately guilloché sub dial and tear drop lug case complete the picture.
The present example - numbered 00/25, 00 as it is a prototype and 25 being the caliber number - differs from the production pieces as the back plates and keyless works are different, the dials is also slightly different to the production pieces.
This watch also is delivered with its full set of accessories including a letter from Kari Voutilainen confirming that it is a unique prototype but is delivreed in a unique wood/metal box that is a work of art unto itself.
The Masterpiece Chronograph was made in only 10 pieces, Voutilaien further launched another series named Masterpiece Chronograph II that also featured a moonphase display and a big date.
According to the Oxford Languages a masterpiece is "a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship", the present unique chronograph definitely ticks all the boxes.
Imagine the sense of exhilaration when not only offering the very first Voutilainen Masterpiece Chronograph to ever come to the auction market but a unique prototype bearing number 00 that Voutilaien used as a showpiece at Basel Fair 2006 to present the model to collectors and press.
Even though the present chronograph is a masterpiece, Voutilainen meant to give it the historical definition of a piece of work by a craftsman accepted as qualification for membership of a guild as an acknowledged . The present watch was the very first chronograph ever built by Voutilainen, he had started working on the idea of a chronograph in 2004 and completed the present prototype just intime for the 2006 Basel Fair.
The construction of the movement is purely inhouse with a visually arresting mix of gold plated frosted plates and bridges with highly polished and angled components displaying he master's incredible finishing aiming for the highest levels of visual and technical perfection possible.
Inspired by the designs of masters of the 18th century such as Breguet and Jurgensen, Voutilainen designed an off center chronograph/time display to give the dial more life, with the hours and minutes in the bottom part of the dial, the continuous seconds at11 o'clock and the minutes counter at 3 o'clock. Signature elements such as the hollowed hands, delicately guilloché sub dial and tear drop lug case complete the picture.
The present example - numbered 00/25, 00 as it is a prototype and 25 being the caliber number - differs from the production pieces as the back plates and keyless works are different, the dials is also slightly different to the production pieces.
This watch also is delivered with its full set of accessories including a letter from Kari Voutilainen confirming that it is a unique prototype but is delivreed in a unique wood/metal box that is a work of art unto itself.
The Masterpiece Chronograph was made in only 10 pieces, Voutilaien further launched another series named Masterpiece Chronograph II that also featured a moonphase display and a big date.
According to the Oxford Languages a masterpiece is "a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship", the present unique chronograph definitely ticks all the boxes.
Literature