Comments:
When a "grail" knocks on your door
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 collection. It is the closest thing to a grail that I have yet attained.
Originally, I was going to pursue a Roger Smith timepiece and am currently still on his waitlist, but his prices have risen beyond my comfort level. I also find the brand's focus on auction results very distasteful.
And so, by rejecting a Smith, new opportunities became possible.
Hence, the Chronometre 27, an absolutely exquisite example of high independent horology, in my very humble opinion.
congrats on a very special piece!
but it is a sin to post its dial without a shot of the movement !
Is it still in production?
Is it still in production?
No it is not!
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.
Congratulations. I am also a huge fan.
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 chronometer 27 made by Kari. You are not far off but it is not 20 pieces. For further in depth information you will need to read the article published on SJX- a must read.
I think it is good to keep that information secret. It is good that these wonderful pieces keep some of their secrets. I can assure you that it is a very rare caliber, not as rare as a cal. 30GD but very rare none-the-less.
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 your newly acquired beautiful chronometer 27.
I’m curious how you have come to attain this knowledge
That you purport to hold secret.
Wunderbar! One of my very favorite Kari Voutilainen, with a delicious Peseux 260 beating inside.
Don't get me started on Smith...
...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 watches instead.
Good luck...
Yes, unfortunately I can't justify owning one of their watches at current prices.
There are too many alternatives that are a fraction of the price and equally, if not more, appealing.
Very nice, a good catch, huge congrats!
It didn’t take too long till you find your grail here!
Yes, one of his very rare forays into the world of shaped watches
The movement is rectangular, and so a rectangular case was a necessity. He of course gave it a very stylized and sculpted Kari flair.
Wow, that was fast!
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!
I am surprised as well.
And feel incredibly fortunate that I was able to deal directly with a collector.
Lucky you ...
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!
It has a nice symmetry, congratulations!
I like the RWS, but I hear that things are going up a bit quickly.
Oh my gosh! You have hit pay dirt! That is an awesome piece. Congratulations, my friend! Your collection continues to astonish. Wear it in good health!