Independents

I don't believe in "grail" watches, as tastes are capricious and what one day the heart covets, the next day it rejects. But the Chronometre 27 by Kari Voutilainen has been a watch that my heart has coveted for years, and I have finally added it to my col...  

but it is a sin to post its dial without a shot of the movement ! Is it still in production?

I'll take some photos of the movement soon. Kari used new old stock Longines 360 ebauches, which are competition grade calibres. There are very few to begin with. I believe he made a total of around 20 examples circa 2008.

Not really ébauches, Rather true cal. 360 in their double casing. The vast majority of those cased in by Voutilainen have not been presented to observatory competitions. The exact production number of cal. 360 is known. So is the total number of chronomet... 

And its production number is only known by a handful of passionate collectors of Observatory chronometers. As far as the numbers of Kari's chronometer 27. Do not trust information posted on the net. Not even specialised sellers... I hope you will enjoy yo... 

That you purport to hold secret.

...it was the 'one that got away' simply because when they were affordable I was newly married with no money : ) But I have a friend who was notified that he would be getting his Smith next year, but he passed, and purchased two or three more lovely watch... 

There are too many alternatives that are a fraction of the price and equally, if not more, appealing.

…you let the grail in. Exquisite Voutilainen beating at 36 000 bph.

It didn’t take too long till you find your grail here!

Never knew of this non round KV piece.

The movement is rectangular, and so a rectangular case was a necessity. He of course gave it a very stylized and sculpted Kari flair.

Im surprised you were able to find one pretty fast. I feel like I never see them anywhere for sale. Looks amazing! You owe us some of those crazy macros of the back that you usually shoot!

And feel incredibly fortunate that I was able to deal directly with a collector.

you got yourself one of the best/most interesting watches from Kari Voutilainen. I am a big fan of the Chronometer 27, but it took me some time to understand the value of this beatuy. Congrats!

Big congrats on obtaining it.

I like the RWS, but I hear that things are going up a bit quickly.

In an unsustainable way, IMHO

If that isn't a grail watch, I don't know what is!!!

As I said earlier, it's one that makes my heart skip a beat.

It certainly has that effect on me

This one is a dream come true

Congrats !! And indeed I share your sentiments on Roger Smith. Only passionate watchmakers move me. I’m less interested in hype, and not chasing the newer, flashier, more colorful and attention seeking timepieces. I’m kinda done save a few older reference... 

Yeah, Roger Smith seems much too focused on monetary value these days. Every email from his workshop references their outstanding auction results rather than the work they are actually performing. It’s honestly quite boring to me. And I know that I’m not ... 

...but your post answered my questions and more. Thanks.

LOL

Not sure of they are true!

A rare and amazing watch and i think you made the right decision imho as i have the same feelings about RWS . Looking forward to see more pics

Background story that you probably don't know until now. I happened to see your WTB post - I check Purists maybe once a week and that day it was the first top post in the Collectors Corner. I contacted my friend in the east coast who owns one, and I knew ... 

Thank you so much!

IMHO way better than your other dream. I'll take KV over RS again and again.

It is also one of my fav Kari watches (i do really like the special guilloche dial and world timer tho lol) especially the glass sapphire dial which is really cool for me!! You have one of my absoluete faviorite collections and it is always a pleasure to ... 

What are the dimensions roughly?

Congrats on your new timepiece! Love the case shape.

One of the 20 owners in the world decided it needed to find a new home

NT

NT

Wear it in the best of health!

Totally amazing ! What a catch! Huge congrats to you ! 👍👏👏 Enjoy it (I am sure you do) and wear it in the best of health !