Weekly Watch Photo – new Kari Voutilainen 2-Eight

While searching for a new Weekly Watch Photo I saw two photos appear on a friend’s Facebook page. It looked like photos of Kari Voutilainen’s Vingt-8 wristwatch, but a little bit different…

While the Voutilainen Vingt-8 wristwatch features a small subsidiary seconds hand at the 6 o’clock position, this new one seems to have the same movement, however it lacks a small subsidiary seconds hand. So enough reason to inquire what one of my favorite watchmakers has been up to. This is the new Voutilainen 2-Eight.

The Voutilainen 2-Eight does indeed feature the same base movement as the Ving-8, with the absoltely superlative finishing we all know Kari Voutilainen for. It measures 37 mm in diameter, 2 mm smaller than the Vingt-8, and can be considered a (or the?) perfect dress watch for either men or women. The bad news is that it’s limited to just 10 pieces.

The case looks much the same as Kari Voutilainen has used for both the Vingt-8 and his well-known Observatoire watches. The small difference being a black onyx stone, set in the crown, while we see the same lovely lugs on the elegant round case with see-through case back that allows the full attention to go to the gorgeous dial (mother-of-pearl and guilloché) and movement.

The movement is designed, built, fabricated, finished and assembled entirely in the Voutilainen atelier. The movement features a very large balance wheel that allows for perfect regulation and a very rare and unique balance-spring system. The exterior of the spring uses a typical Breguet overcoil, while the internal curve uses the little known Grossmann curve.

And than there’s the new escapement that makes the movement even more special. Why? well, there are two escapement wheels, giving direct impulse to the balance through the impulse roller/jewel. This escapement is extremely efficient and requires much less energy than traditional lever escapements, offering benefits in terms of longevity and stability in day-to-day use. It also allows the visual pleasure of seeing two synchronized movements of the escapement wheels.

During the upcoming Baselworld fair I’ll surely visit Kari Voutilainen to hear all details of his new 2-Eight and make some more photos. If you’re interested than I suggest to act fast, because the 2-Eight is limited to 10 pieces. It’s price is CHF 82,000 before tax.

You can check for availability directly with Kari Voutilainen via his website.

Thanks to Ian Skellern for letting me use his photos.