Kari Voutilainen 8848 Phone Collaboration — WatchProSite Forum Digest

Ornatus-Mundi · 2016-10-26T05:49:04Z

Kari Voutilainen partners with Chinese phone maker 8848 for a limited edition luxury smartphone, sparking debate on brand image and independent watchmaking. Features custom dials and leather.

Ornatus-Mundi

WPS member · Independents forum

43 replies11008 views4 photos

Ornatus-Mundi reports on a surprising collaboration between master watchmaker Kari Voutilainen and Chinese mobile phone maker 8848, detailing the creation of 180 Voutilainen-customized smartphones. This announcement sparked significant debate within the community regarding its implications for Voutilainen's brand image and the broader independent watchmaking sector.

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Announced in Bejing in October 2016, AHCI member and acclaimed master watchmaker Kari Voutilainen partnered with Chinese mobile phone maker 8848 to create a limited series of Voutilainen-customised smart phones. Overall, 180 pieces will be made.

The KariPhone (not the official name!) is based upon the companies 8848 Titanium model and can be customised with a choice of fine calfskin, lizard, crocodile and alligator leather choices, colours, ornamentation, and even engravings typical for watchmaking finishing.

Furthermore, each of the Kariphones comes with an original Kari Voutilainen dial placed on the device's back side. Note that this dial only covers the numbers 1 to 8, with the latter beign in red colour:

Kari Voutilainen stresses the fact that this collaboration is a sign of mututal respect between the watchmaker and one of his clients, 8848's company founder, Du Yingying, and should not hint at a new business model for his watch manufactory.

I still cannot grasp all this...

Speechlessly yours,
Magnus

P.S: This collaboration was first covered in Chinese blogs and on Horologium.

Key Points from the Discussion

The collaboration is seen by some as a pragmatic business move for an independent watchmaker in a challenging market, potentially providing financial stability to continue producing high-end watches.
Critics expressed concern that such a venture could dilute Kari Voutilainen's brand prestige and go against the ethos of traditional independent watchmaking, drawing comparisons to other luxury brand extensions.
The 'KariPhone' features an original Kari Voutilainen dial on its back, covering numbers 1 to 8, with customization options including various fine leathers and watchmaking-style engravings.
Some argued that the collaboration might be a strategic move to open doors to new clients and opportunities, especially if the phone is intended as a high-end collector's item for existing Voutilainen clients.
The partnership is explicitly stated by Kari Voutilainen as a sign of mutual respect with 8848's founder, not a new business model for his watch manufactory.
Historical precedents for luxury brands venturing into non-traditional products were cited, suggesting this type of collaboration is not entirely new in the high-end market.

The Discussion

Ares501 - Mr Green

Oct 26, 2016

Knowing your 1st of April posts...... [nt]

Ornatus-Mundi

Oct 26, 2016

Not even in the Chinese calendar...

plus there are ample candid amateur images of the Master and his new kid(s)... But I confess, that was my first thought as well... Magnus

Esharp

Oct 26, 2016

That's what I thought too

I\'m...uh...really really really not quite sure what to think...

sleepy_templar

Oct 26, 2016

OMG, are we sure we didn't mix Voutilainen here with Valentino or Vesace? [nt]

aris d

Oct 26, 2016

Are we sure that this guy isn't counterpart? [nt]

SALMANPK

Oct 26, 2016

Very Cool!!

Nice Collaboration and reminds me of a Steampunk dream I had once, where my cellphone was powered by a watch movement instead of a battery.

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