US import tariffs: Non-US origin lots in this sale (including watches and timepieces with Swiss-made or non-US made movements) will be subject to special tariffs upon import to the USA, currently ranging from 10% to 39% on the total invoice price (hammer price plus buyer’s premium). Buyers are responsible for paying any applicable tariffs, duties, taxes and charges when importing their purchased lots. Due to the evolving nature of international trade regulations, we recommend clients consult with their local customs office or advisor for up-to-date information on the applicable tariffs.
155
Voutilainen
Observatoire
A superb and extremely rare stainless steel wristwatch with observatory grade movement, guilloché dial, certificate and presentation box
- Estimate
- CHF80,000 - 160,000€86,300 - 173,000$100,000 - 201,000
CHF381,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Voutilainen
- Year
- 2009
- Movement No
- C26100
- Case No
- C26100
- Model Name
- Observatoire
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Manual, Peseux cal. 260, 21 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Leather
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18k white gold Voutilainen deployant clasp
- Dimensions
- 39mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Voutilainen large fitted box, Certificate, fitted box manufacture certificate, polishing cloth and outer packaging.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
After having set up his own workshops in the early 2000s creating unique minute repeaters and custom made masterpieces, Kari Voutilainen set out on the task of creating his first model made in "series" - a term that should be applied very lightly in this instance as around only 50 pieces were produced in various metal and dial combinations.
The Observatoire was introduced in 2007 and awarded “Best Men’s Watch” at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève that same year. It is estimated approximately only 50 examples were made before eventually being replaced in 2011 with the Vingt-8 model, featuring his new, in-house caliber 28. Powered by the caliber 260 from Peseux, an observatory-grade caliber from the mid-20th century, it is estimated only 3,300 examples of this movement were ever produced, never available for public purchase.
The heavily modified Voutilainen caliber is a breathtakingly beautiful and precise movement with extreme attention to detail. The present variant is a rare piece within an already rare production number at it features a stainless steel case of which about 6 were eve made. In fact the case was hand made directly in Voutilainen’s workshops!
Furthermore the present Observatoire also features some unique details such as frosted balance bridge in the tapered shape of the one found in his original tourbillon pocket watch.
The watch features a beautiful hand guilloché dial with a mixture of patterns creating incredible depths and tones. Decorated with elegant applied Roman numerals and steel Breguet-style hands. The Observatoire set the design language of all future watches made by Voutilainen: tear drop lugs, superbly lavish guilloché dials and superlative hand finished movements. Every component in this watch, from the bridges to the tiniest of screws, involves manual labor.
The Observatoire was introduced in 2007 and awarded “Best Men’s Watch” at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève that same year. It is estimated approximately only 50 examples were made before eventually being replaced in 2011 with the Vingt-8 model, featuring his new, in-house caliber 28. Powered by the caliber 260 from Peseux, an observatory-grade caliber from the mid-20th century, it is estimated only 3,300 examples of this movement were ever produced, never available for public purchase.
The heavily modified Voutilainen caliber is a breathtakingly beautiful and precise movement with extreme attention to detail. The present variant is a rare piece within an already rare production number at it features a stainless steel case of which about 6 were eve made. In fact the case was hand made directly in Voutilainen’s workshops!
Furthermore the present Observatoire also features some unique details such as frosted balance bridge in the tapered shape of the one found in his original tourbillon pocket watch.
The watch features a beautiful hand guilloché dial with a mixture of patterns creating incredible depths and tones. Decorated with elegant applied Roman numerals and steel Breguet-style hands. The Observatoire set the design language of all future watches made by Voutilainen: tear drop lugs, superbly lavish guilloché dials and superlative hand finished movements. Every component in this watch, from the bridges to the tiniest of screws, involves manual labor.