Independents

Each year retailer The Hour Glass organises a Tour of Independence event in Singapore attended by various independent watchmakers. This year Kari Voutilainen and Romain Gauthier were in town. Both also created piece unique watches for L'Atelier, the high ...  

Prior to dinner guests met the watchmakers inside L'Atelier. Many saw the piece unique watches for the first time during the cocktails and reactions were diverse. But what matters was that all four of the piece unique watches were already sold by that tim...  

Dinner followed one level up at Taste Paradise. Coincidentally I attended another dinner at the same restaurant a week earlier and I was seated in the same spot at the same table....  

A plethora of watches were seen on the wrists of guests. Naturally many independent watchmakers were represented including De Bethune and even the new Urwerk CC1....  

Thanks for sharing. Vte

Thanks for reporting on this event, and for the beautiful pictures that accompanied your text, SJX. Not only did the guests have amazing watches on their wrists, but the special piece uniques from Kari Voutilainen and Romain Gauthier are simply breathtaki... 

That is a long time ago I saw the Yellow brother of the Minerva Collection 1858 Cal 13-20. The White brother says hello...  

This Observatoire is in rose gold with a copper dial. The movement has been engraved but is still finished to the usual high standard. This is a stunning watch. Kari Voutilainen manages to create watches that are different, yet aesthetically pleasing. Bot...  

that, perhaps, it dilutes the model? Not sure... Too many faces of this one??? No 'true' version, so to speak? Just a thought..... I do not like all the decoration.....

It also has the effect of creating "limited editions within a limited edition", or numerous 'pieces unique' of a similar theme (for those to whom such things matter). Your point is (as always) worthy of consideration and a valid view, but on balance the h... 

When I first interview Kari for a local newspaper back in 2006 when he first announced the Observatoire, he mentioned something in the order of 5 or 8 pieces for the watch. Now it's probably at 40 or so? That bothers me, but the amazing quality and fine a... 

He certainly has other plans which he is busy bringing to fruition right now. The total number of Observatoires is "less than 40". My guess is somewhere between 35 and 40. It's true that no two Observatoires are exactly alike. The amazing thing is that, n... 

...when you say "It's true that no two Observatoires are exactly alike", as there would appear to have been at least two or three manufactured to the same spec as the piece which features on KV's website (if various owners' scans and posts are anything to... 

Thanks for a great counterpoint. I certainly can't be 'against' the watch world being richer for the diversity of Kari's many dials and hands... I guess if I were King, I would limit the designs. Maybe it's the conservative in me, but if a watchmaker is w... 

...and it seems that we may yet be in 'furious agreement'. Taking Kari Voutilainen first: he does not come across as one who might be willing to 'do anything' with his watch designs. Not having asked him that question, it may be an incorrect assumption, b... 

Enough said.. What a magnificent store.

I love the movement engraving too, it adds another dimension to the watch. Excellent all round. Thanks for sharing, Cheers, Tim

When I first saw this watch my immediate thought was that this would make a perfect ladies' watch. The engraved centre portion and colour combination of the rose gold case and ivory dial give this a very different look and feel from other Chronometer 27 w...  

Dang -- the RG with light face makes this an entirely different watch for me -- really striking! Great photos, by the way -- thanks for going to all of the work. They're good enough that it's clear that both of the Kari watches need to return to his ateli... 

Romain delivered two piece unique watches to L'Atelier, one in rose gold and the other in white gold. Both are identical save for the case metal. The watch pictured below is incomplete, additional movement decoration and finishing remains to be done. This...  

Of course I am biased towards Kari, as a prior client of his. But I must say that these engraved Peseux and Longines movements are entire symphonies of horological and decorative artistry. Congratulations to the new owners! I am also a big fan of Romain G... 

I was made to understand the piece unique is identical to his current watches except for the dial so I assume that is not a new feature. - SJX

I don't believe the buyer has higher taste than you, but certainly he's more stylish than you . You came in boring pants and regular shirt? Bah, when I was your age I was glittering in the loudest Moschino and Versace stylocen@jkt

...from the man with the Leopard Daytona!!!!! ;-) ;-) ;-) Cheers, pplater.

glittering now glittercen@jkt...  

...and thanks. You guys up there have all the fun! Cheers, pplater.

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Thx for the post. Now I need a cold shower. Sam

this man's work really speaks to me, the classicism, the personal touches that are very subtle, the exquisite detail work.... the serenity of the whole...... Gauthier!!!

I find myself mesmerized more by Kari's "simple" designs than any other, from independent or major house. And I wish you had not shown me those engraved movements......... ). Wow! As I understand Observatoire deliveries will be finished this year. Congrat... 

nt

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NT

I feel like we are watching a 'boy wonder' whose 'mature' works will be among the world's most treasured.

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howdy SJX, your pics add to the GREAT TEMPTATION!!!!

I'll make the decision easier by taking some photos of it. - SJX

although not featured here will serve as just temptation for you next month! ;-)

Some wonderful work on display there. Best, Jed

Photographs of those stunning watches. Like PPlatter said you have all the fun. I would love to go to one of these smashing occasions. I love reading this type of report.

is the use of "proprietary" scews on the dial side--on the WG versions I belive these were blued slot head screws.

I believe Kari will use those screws from now on. - SJX

and love your pictures. Your macros pics sure do the watches justice! Cheers, Anthony

Thank you for these pictures. I've appreciated to see watches that I allready saw on bad pictures, so no possibility to appreciate the real work made by these artists ! Great, thank's again. Deniz

nt