Manufacturer: Voutilainen Year: 2023 Movement No: TMZ 1/1 Case No: TMZ 1/1, case back further engraved Unique Piece Model Name: Wordtime Unique Piece Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 216TMZ, jeweled Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Voutilainen pin buckle Dimensions: 39mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Voutilainen fitted box, guarantee dated January 2023, service log, leather travel pouch, cleaning cloth and outer packaging. Literature: Kari Voutilainen and his works are featured in Kari Voutilainen Horlogerie d'Art by Theodore Diehl as well as in Watchmakers, The Masters of Art Horology by Maxima Gallery pp. 228-247 and in Twelve faces of Time, Horological Virtuosos by Elisabeth Doerr and Ralf Baumgarten pp. 90-105.
Catalogue Essay
A pure work of art in every sense, the present unique Voutilainen Worldtime is a gem of artistic and horological mastery. The watch is housed in a white gold case and uses Voutilainen’s new calibre 216TMZ, featuring a new escapement with two direct impulse escape wheels linked to an oversized, 13.5mm free-sprung balance wheel with a Grossman interior curve and Philips exterior curve. The finish of the movement with subtle Geneva waves, elegant beveling and polishing is what one has come to expect from Voutilainen: absolutely superb. Pink gold gears add a dash of panache to the overall appearance.
However, for once, the movement is not the star of the show but the absolutely visually arresting dial combining miniature painting, engraving and a surprising use of Super-LumiNova! The dial represents part of our Earth as seen from the moon’s surface which is hand engraved, the rest is miniature paining on enamel and the fabulous idea was to use Super-LumiNova for the separations between countries, the outer section of the Earth as well as on the moon’s crevices that magically light up.
The Worldtime city discs are set using the crown and therefore no other push piece is needed. Voutilainen started his career restoring antique timepieces but has never been shy about using new techniques and mixing innovation with tradition and the present TMZ unique piece engraved 1/1 is the perfect example.