Theodore Diehl
63
Exceptional dial
It is very hard for us to fully appreciate dials like these in the West, with this one in particular created by one of the most famous lacquer artists in Japan using several techniques combined together. Kari told me this dial takes months to create - and those are not 'PR' months but real months in real time ;-0) !! The artist and his studio even prepare all the lacquers and mediums themselves - actually not so unlike an independent watchmaker in approach.
Don't know the price of this unique piece, but I can tell you that you could buy a watch for the cost of the dial alone!
if any of you, like me, are into Japanese lacquered pens (think Namiki !) and such, then you have to see this in the flesh at Baselworld.
Cheers all,
Thedoore
New from Kari Voutilainen
As a warm-up to the BaselWorld fair Kari sent me some pictures of his latest pieces. Unique piece, dial is made in Japan by lacquer artist. V-8R. power reserve indication, limited series of 25 watches. Everything made in house, 228 components. It has visi...
Many thanks, Don & Kari
That last picture... Simply sublime. Kari delivers, again. 25 pieces, that will be about half of Kari's production for the year to come. 13 employees producing 50 pieces a year and with Kari behind every one of their thoughts and movements Better hurry Z'...
its not 50 pieces....thats regular production
exclude the stuff that he does on limited editions like the watches he made for Gary Getz and company. to be frank, these days, I take production numbers with a pinch of salt. nobody tells the truth anymore. best, Horo
That mosaic is hard to accurately describe. very...
Fortunate those who own one. Why is the PR watch limited to 25, Don?
Hi Ron,
I am not Don, but Kari told me he wants it so, He has other projects in the pipe-line. The standard unlimited models are the vingt-8 and the 2-Eight, both highly customizable, off course. Best Z'
Have been watching KV from afar.....
Gary G blew my mind with his unique piece, and now this.... this is just absolutely beautiful, I have a massive amount of respect for Kari's work, more and more every day. Hope one day to see one in the flesh
One of the great things about working with Kari
Is that he does welcome select other artists to participate upon request. Not a big hallmark of his work to date (with the exception of Eddy Jacquet's engraving work on pieces such as my Chronograph), but I'm hoping to see more in future. Glad you like my...
Don't love the V8-R.
Don't love the V8 R at all. The dial looks confounded, busy, and objective-focused functional. Give me the normal Observatoire any day (now that's a beautiful watch). But I can criticize all I want, because with only 25 watches, beauty is in the eye of th...
i will wager it will not be just 25.
25 this metal, then 25 in another, and another, and another? then in two different sizes thereafter? again in 25s? who knows.... like you, I think the Observatoire is just beautiful, much more then the V8-R. maybe I need time to warm up...we shall see.......
True...
You are correct Horo. One can never expect to be able to hold them to strict limitations. That's how these things are. Limited Editions are only as limited as the next one. But I really don't like this one. Although I haven't seen this one in the metal, t...
"25 this metal, then 25 in another, and another, and another?"
Dear Hororgasm, 25 this metal, then 25 in another, and another, and another? May I ask you where you hold this from? I find your opinion unnecessarily deprecative, uncomplimentary. I met Kari a few times since the launch of the V8R. He told me clearly the...
You know..you are right..I am wrong. I am a idiot. I should not express my opinion
There is nothing wrong in not numbering one's limited editions. I should bow down to the wisdom of someone who own a Observatoire. I know nothing about KVs...whilst you on the other hand has a weath of knowledge...including a NEW figure of 60 Observatoire...
???
Dear moderator, off course you are entitled to voice your opinion. But I do not like being at the receiving end of your continued sarcasm and take therefore my leave from this thread. Z'
RECEIVING END???!!!!????
You responded to my post in the open, and pm me complaining about a fellow moderator and YOU ARE THE RECEIVING END???!!!! You called me "deprecating and uncomplimentary" and YOU ARE THE RECEIVING END!!!!!!!!!!??????!!!!! Do you work for KV? If not, how ar...
Exceptional dial
It is very hard for us to fully appreciate dials like these in the West, with this one in particular created by one of the most famous lacquer artists in Japan using several techniques combined together. Kari told me this dial takes months to create - and...
Love that lacquer dial!
Really, really pretty. If my wife were inclined toward watches of this size I'd be nudging her toward one (in a different pattern, of course, as this one is unique). And, if the photo is any indication, it looks as if Kari's movement finishing continues t...
The lacquer itself is beautiful.
To me personally, it looks rather "disharmony" to have lacquer on Kari watch. Kari watch is a beauty on its own, no decoration from other sources is required. Imagine you have a skeletonised Kari watch! V-8R is not my cup of tea. Regards Ling
Perhaps not a skeletonized watch...
...but I would love to have an open dialed watch from Kari! I'm playing around with mockups to see whether at some point it might be possible to commission an open dial for my Chrono II... Best, Gary
Sarasamon...
.... would love to see this collaboration between swiss' fine watchmaking and Japanese traditional art in person..... Sigh.... Thanks, Don! Ken
Especially the Sarasamon cooperation ...
looks very promising to me. Only a few more days until I can see it ... :-) Thanks, Don & Kari! Oliver
The laquer dial looks fantastic, love it.
And those movements are gorgeous in every way. Thanks. Vte :)
The lacquer dial piece is absolutely stunning...
...having had a good look at it at Basel, and having a nice chat with Kari (with a friend), all I can say is that photos simply do not do justice to the lacquer dial...it's just unbelievably beautiful. The V-8R, imho, looks better with a pure white dial.....
Just sublime!
I am naturally a big fan owning an Observatoire. Kari continues to amaze in a considered and stylish manner. Thanks for sharing Regards Oztimelord
Don, the pieces are as unique as...
... the watchmaker himself. I was so happy to see Kari's work, as well as the work of his "booth mates", the Gronefelds and Stepan Sarpaneva. Right next door was a display of watches made of wood. Simply unreal. And Romain's Logical One? Jaw dropping. No ...