Voutilainen - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI Geneva Saturday, November 5, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Voutilainen
    Year: Circa 2019
    Reference No: 217QRS
    Movement No: 217QRS PT-08
    Case No: 08/10
    Model Name: "Retrograde Date"
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 217QRS, 39 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Voutilainen pin buckle
    Dimensions: 39mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by fitted box, Guarantee, servicing booklet, 3 additional straps, polishing 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

    Is it really necessary to present Kari Voutilainen ? One of the most talented living watchmakers, he has not only garnered a cult following amongst collectors of independent watchmaking but is also superstar amongst the watch collectors of today.

    His movements, cases and sublime guilloché dials are all made inhouse, his signature being complex mechanisms with superlative handmade finishing. Every component in his watches, from the bridges to the tiniest of screws, involves manual labor, may it be adjusted tolerances, polishing, angling and so on.

    The present 217QRS uses Voutilainen’s ground-breaking caliber Vingt-8 that features a complex direct impulse escapement enabling a more constant distribution of energy. Furthermore, the extra-large balance allows fine regulation of the watch using a rare balance spring system with the exterior of the spring using a Breguet overcoil, while the internal curve uses the little-known Grossmann curve.

    The movement features a retrograde date indication fully integrated in the movement. the date - when changing from 31 to 1 does not simply jump to 1 but very elegantly "glides" back in a motion that takes close to 2 seconds - a feat that took Voutilainen quite some time to develop and perfect. The date can be set via a simple push of the crown

    The movement can be unabashedly described as a work of art for which every shape has been carefully thought out and executed, and every individual component has been painstakingly hand finished in Voutilainen’s ateliers in Môtiers, Switzerland.

    The 217QRS also features a dark blue lavishly guilloché dial set in a platinum case with downturned facetted lugs (that differ to the habitual tear drop lugs used by Voutilainen).

    This model was produced in a limited edition of 10 pieces in platinum like the present example numbered 8/10, 10 pieces in white gold and 10 pieces in pink gold.

144

Ref. 217QRS
A superbly executed platinum wristwatch with retrograde date, box and guarantee, number 8 of a limited edition of 10 pieces

Circa 2019
39mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF80,000 - 160,000 
€82,400-165,000
$80,100-160,000

Sold for CHF277,200

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East
+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com
 

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva
+41 22 317 96 63
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI

Geneva Auction 5 - 6 November 2022