Independents

Some individual wrist shots:

 My Observatoire on a friend's wrist:

Gorgeous RG with anthracite face and RG Romans.  Note the absence of guilloche on the outer ring of the dial and the use of soleil guilloche on both of the inner circles (rather than barleycorn on the background of the seconds hand

Cal. 27.  This one looks as if it's worn quite regularly!  Several members of the group commented on how comfortable this watch felt on the wrist.

Finally, a couple of shots of the amazing decimal repeater, Masterpiece #8.  This watch provided many of the design cues that shaped the Observatoire -- so in addition to its significance as a decimal repeater it has a central place in the KV history. First, on the wrist of a friend:

Then (joy!) on my wrist!  Sent chills up my spine -- many thanks to the generous owner for letting all of us try on this magnificent watch.

Bedtime again (geez, working for a living is really cutting into my Photoshop and posting time...).  More over the weekend!

Best,

Gary G

And was mesmerized by its dangerous Beauty.

But a round wite metal one would make my day..;Maybe one day!

Cab't wait to see your other pics!

Best,

Nicolas

NT

www.youtube.com

br,
Dirk

Anyway to get one of these pieces other than emailing the master himself? Thanks a lot!

I think you'll find him very responsive and engaging!

Best,

Gary G

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Here are some detail shots that may be of interest.  Apologies in advance that the lighting (and my lack of skill) resulted in many of these shots being less than ideal, but in each case I wanted to point out some unique design features.  No two of these watches are exactly alike!

Let's get started: this WG example has the "final generation" version of the Voutilainen Motiers legend inscribed on the bridge:

Two WG versions, one with silver dial and one with eggshell:

The Cal. 27 and Masterpiece 8 (couldn't resist posting another image of these two...)

Decimal repeater movement of the Masterpiece 8:

Two RG watches.  Obviously, the dials are different, with the one on the left being the first (only?) enamel piece.  But you can also see that the markers at 12 and 6 are triangles on the left, and dots on the right-hand watch.  And, although it's a bit tough to see in the light, the hands on the left are RG and on the right are rhodiated.  The Romans on both are in Anthracite.  And, the watch on the left is obviously running two seconds slow!

This is one of the two fast-beat Observatoires (36,000bph) -- both were present at the event.  Kari included a "surprise on the dial" on this one -- the central soleil guilloche has 24 sectors rather than the usual 12!  Such are the arcana that we find interesting (well, at least I do...).  Another differentiator on this watch is that the caseband is brushed rather than polished.

Do you see the difference here?  The watch on the left has "flipped" Arabics at 4 and 8, while the right-hand watch is a "non-flipped" version.  If you go back to the prior photo, you'll see that it is a non-flipped Romans version.

A reverse/movement shot of a "standard" movement (traditional balance cock), but with the "final generation" Voutilainen Motiers logo.  You can also see that the words "Limited Edition" are engraved into the case -- on some of the other watches they appear in relief.  It doesn't show in this B/W photo, but if you look closely at the various movement shots you'll be able to see that some of the balance springs are blued, while others are black.

Another shot of the RG/Black Face with RG Romans and hands and soleil guilloche in both central areas:

On the right, a "standard" movement -- on the left, the fast-beat movement with the "toubillon" balance cock.  You can see "limited edition" in relief on the LH watch.  Of course, the frosted movement is something different, too!

Movement shot of the second fast-beat watch:

Now, the two fast-beat watches side by side.  The one on the left has what is (as far as I know) a unique balance cock shape within the Observatoire series.  You can also see the "first gen" version of the Voutilainen Motiers logo engraved on the bridge.  When Lorrie and I visited with Kari earlier this year we also saw an Obervatoire movement with the Voutilainen Motiers logo arranged in a circle (as on the Cal. 27).

The "tourbillon bridge" fast beat in close-up:

And one last comparo for good measure:

That's it for the Voutilainen watch photos from the event!  I'll finish up with a final post that includes some of the other watches in attendance.

Best,

Gary G

You have provided a comparison of Observatoire variations better than any other post I have seen.

Of the approximately 40 watches in this series, I think it is likely that no two are exactly the same.  And amazing to have 8 Observaotires together for the inagural KV Owners GTG (not to mention the Cal 27 and the Decimal Repeater 8--and other watches in attendance!) 

Each detail and each variation is exquisite and complements the beauty and intrigue of this series.  What a pleasure for KV collectors to meet and appreciate these details.

Probably the star of the show is the Decimal Repeater 8 (or maybe the Duality......).  Anyone notice the touch of the RG VIII, while the other romans are in WG?  And so interesting from a historical perspective in regard to the evolution of design elements from the #8 to the Observatoire.  Kari is a master with his design flair, consistency, and technical prowess across his line of watches.

What watches and what passion what friendship in that room! 

Keep the posts coming.

This message has been edited by tahoeblue on 2009-12-05 12:44:07 This message has been edited by tahoeblue on 2009-12-05 12:49:09

Given the lighting it was very hard to pick out (in photographs) that Masterpiece 8 does indeed have the VIII in a different color than the other numerals.  Excellent catch -- and thanks for the kind remarks!  I felt privileged to be able to attend the GTG, as the other members are all big-time collectors -- but at the end of the evening we all agreed that we would have had a great time even if there had been no watches there -- a very convivial group with lots of shared interests makes for great friendships.

Best,

Gary

present at the GTG was in an Observatoire (probably unique in the series?) with "wolf's-teeth" winding gears.  This also results in a distinctly pleasurable winding feel.  I wonder if you have a pic of that one to add to your comparison shots.  This message has been edited by tahoeblue on 2009-12-05 13:25:09

Tough to see, but this may (or may not) be the set of "wolf's tooth" winding gears:

In reviewing the photos, I also saw that on the two fast-beat movements, one has perlage on the visible portions of the lower plate while the other one is fully frosted...

Best,

Gary

on Kari being THE consumate Independent? Differences in each of these watches show the expanse of his internal sense of style that ONLY a few select and very fortunate collectors are able to be a part of. Doing something in routine is MUCH easier as one's natural human self is to get into a rhythm. Can any of us mere mortals dare imagine how Kari does it? Almost each and every single piece that he has made contains a subtle variation, a break in routine, a fact more astounding while noting that his "normal" production pieces are finished to such high levels already? NO end to this guy's reach. I can only wish good things for him and that the gospel of Kari continues to spread. Thanks again for sharing details of this GTG and of the watches present. Much appreciated Gary.

I think Kari is unmatched in his combination of design, finish, customization, range of offerings, exclusivity, and brand-building.

Only problem this creates is that it may be even harder in the future to get on the list for his watches.......

on your spot on assessment that it is making the chase to get his masterpieces even harder. Oh well.... Good thing this site shows us enthusiasts the different pieces currently out in the wilds. Vicarious living then. Have a good one tahoeblue.

Yes, and the wolf's teeth watch also has a balance spring holder next to the tourbillon style balance cock.

Fantastic report Gary.  Very good photos too!

Michael

On the two standard beat movements with tourbillon balance cocks, one balance cock is polished and the other has Geneva stripes...

Thanks for the kind words, Michael!

Best,

Gary

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...tell a little more about the story of the balance spring holder we see to the right of the "tourbillon" balance on this watch, and the black balance spring?

Thanks!

Gary

about the balance spring holder or "stud holder" is that it's a one off design and it's free standing, adjustable and not fixed to the balance wheel bridge.
I'll have to check with Kari about the background of the design next time.
Regarding the different colored balance springs, I recall that Kari told me that his supply of balance springs are half blued and half blackened.
The company that made them was called Societe Des Fabriques De Spiraux Reunites which was a combination of a few different spring manufacturers. The company was bought by Hayek in the seventies and became Nivarox.
Here are some pictures of the springs that Kari uses:

Thanks for sharing this great pic of the wolfs teeth movement, and the info regarding the springs.  These details make the Observatoire all the more interesting.

The individuality of each piece is extraordinary!  The Masterpiece 8 is a work of art.  I would trade a limb for that watch!

Craig

The Masterpiece 8 is really special -- right now I'm considering exactly which limb it would be for me...

Best,

Gary G

Good to see some familiar faces in the gathering, despite the Kari masks.

- SJX

nt

We're in the home stretch: some images of many of the other watches present at the GTG on Thursday night.

Highest representation (other than KV watches) went to PSM.  We had one Piccadilly, two Shimodas, two of the "1 in 20" series (a white dial and cream dial, as seen at top) and three unique pieces (center):

Here are Fighting Time and Trapped in Time, flanking Shimoda RG #1:

The three unique pieces -- on the right is "Phoenix," with the dial by a Japanese engraver.  The engraving work on the other two (and mokume on the left) is by Kees Engelbarts:

Here's the Phoenix in color:

...and Fighting Time and Trapped in Time one last, uh, time:

Not one, not two, but three Resonances!  Slightly different dial colors and guilloche in evidence on each:

Two of the Resonances and a lovely CS with my personal favorite from FPJ, the Vagabondage -- love seeing the balance swinging away, and the 5 minute sliding "jump" hour mechanism is extremely trick.  It was great to be able to see this piece in person!

Vianney was represented by three Classics.  My only disappointment (how I could even use that word to describe any aspect of this event is beyond me) was that I was hoping that some member of the group would have/bring an Antiqua -- can't have everything!

Oh, as long as we're hanging out, how about taking a look at a Haldimann central tourbillon?  Yowza!

Last but definitely not least, a brace of watches from Philippe Dufour.  I looked right past that unassuming-looking one on the right all evening, until I flipped it over and...

...saw this!  In retrospect, the small seconds at 7:30 should have been a dead give-away -- suffice it to say that this was one of the highlights of the evening for me.

Well, that's it!  Hope you enjoyed this report a fraction as much as I enjoyed the evening.  For me the event was one of the top two or three things I've done in this hobby -- and what made it ever so special was my five friends.  The watches were great, but at the end of it all it's about the people!

Until next time,

Kari, er, Gary G!

stand out GTG! Thanks for sharing GaryG.

cheers

fernando

The Speake-Marin  Piccadilly w/RG case & Kees Englebarts stunning single dragon dial piece is technically called "Captive in Time", it together with "Fighting Time" are two of Peter's art pieces that resonate most with me.
"Fighting Time" is and I think always will be my favourite Speake-Marin watch, although I do reserve the right to allow a future offering to take it's place! Don't think it will, but there is always that slim chance Peter will create something else extra-ordinary...

Thanks again Gary for sharing all these extra-ordinary pieces, that has to be one of the finest gathering of purist pieces to date.

Cheers,
Tim

Thanks for the correction, Tim -- I went to Peter's website to check the name on the Phoenix, but thought that I had the Captive correct -- oops!

As you know, Fighting Time has a lot of meaning for me based on earlier experiences in my life (specifically the death of my first wife) and the underlying feeling of, well, fighting against time that those of us "of a certain age" begin to feel!  Not even the mighty dragons with their diamond eyes can turn back the clock -- and the swirl of the mokume universe behind them tells us that time is, after all, a relative concept to begin with!

In my opinion, a great conception by Peter, and brilliantly carried off by Kees.

Thanks again for your kind words.

Best,

Gary