It is no secret that Kari Voutilainen is one of the most talented master watchmakers today. Adhering to the essence of independent watchmaking, his exquisite handcraftsmanship and iconic teardrop lugs have mesmerised and moved connoisseurs from all over the world.

The Vingt-8 lineage is the perfect encapsulation of Kari Voutilainen’s vision. A collector’s dream, this model is revered for its perfectly sized 39mm case, his trademark lugs, the intricate variegated hand-finished dial and Breguet-style “moon” tip hands. As he stated publicly, “the design and philosophy of the movement combine respect for longevity and precision with classical watchmaking tradition.” With the first models leaving the workshop in 2011, the Calibre 28 was developed entirely in-house and is regulated by the double wheel escapement that has become part of the brand’s DNA.

Voutilainen is notorious for his commitment to custom pieces created at the request of individuals. Lo and behold, the present Vingt-8 is truly one of a kind. A unique masterpiece designed to the original owner’s taste; it not only possesses all the above characteristics but also features a semi-skeletonised dial. Encased in stainless steel, this material is also only available to close friends of the brand and must be specially requested. Standing by the principles of mixing traditional Haute horology with contemporary designs, the dial is embellished with a well-balanced combination of manually patterned finishes, such as perlage, black frosting and Ecaille de Poisson guilloche. Instead of the numbered indexes often seen on non-commissioned examples, the main dial and small minutes register on this Vingt-8 are marked with subtle dotted divisions, highlighted by their conjoining brush-finished rings. Through the sapphire caseback, the wearer is invited to admire its movement, also finished with the same degree of elegance and intricacy as the front of the dial.

The present example is most definitely a treat for aficionados who value tradition and uniqueness. Offered in excellent overall condition with a certificate signed by Kari Voutilainen himself, the chance to be the proud owner of this unique Voutilainen Vingt-8 is notably as rare as the watch itself.