Introducing Kari Voutilainen in Collaboration with Studio Kitamura Unveils the 28 LQU

What Kari Voutilainen's watches are most known for are their unique dials and the hand-finishing of their in-house movements. The movements are crafted by hand with a focus on precision and detail. Voutilainen has received numerous accolades, with one of the most notable being the "Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) Award" in 2024 for the "KV20i Reversed" watch, which was praised for its innovation and distinctive design. One of its latest releases is the "28 LQU," featuring a dial inspired by the summit of Mount Everest. The dial is uniquely painted by the Kitamura Studio, one of the leading Urushi lacquer studios in Japan, known for its exceptional craftsmanship in this traditional art form.

This timepiece comes in a 39mm case made from Tantalum, It is a rare, heavy, corrosion-resistant metal that is not reactive with most acids, making it useful in specialized applications.. The sapphire crystal is treated with anti-reflection technology, protecting both the dial and the movement, while the bezel from back is secured with six screws. The watch also features a fluted crown and tear-drop lugs for added elegance and functionality.

The Voutilainen 28 LQU Unique Piece showcases a truly one-of-a-kind dial, crafted using the ancient Urushi lacquering technique. The dial features a stunning depiction of the sunset over Mount Everest, with golden light cascading from the summit and a sea of clouds flowing through the valley below. A starry night forms the backdrop, while the clouds are accentuated in hues of shell colors blue, green, and pink along with gold, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. This artistic scene is framed by a black ring along the edges, with white hour and minute indices printed on it. The dial employs the "Saiei Maki-e" technique, developed by Kitamura Studio, which imbues it with rich, multi-dimensional colors that change depending on the light’s angle. The intricate artwork is enhanced with fine gold inlay and cut-shells, with two and a half "lucky clouds" at 3, 4:30, and 8:30 o'clock. The hands are made of gold, further enhancing the design.

The watch is powered by an in-house manual winding 28LQU caliber, featuring a unique movement with 202 components and a German-silver main plate. This movement is distinguished by titanium bridges and a steel ratchet wheel, all of which are meticulously hand-decorated with the Saiei Maki-e Urushi lacquer technique, a true work of art crafted by the renowned Kitamura Studio. The ratchet wheel beautifully showcases a lotus flower in bloom. The movement’s direct impulse escapement system, with two escapement wheels providing direct impulse to the balance, is powered by a large free-sprung balance wheel with rose gold timing weights. The watch boasts a 65-hour power reserve, operates at a frequency of 18,000 vph (2.5Hz). The movement also incorporates gold-made wheels, all fabricated, designed, and assembled in Voutilainen’s workshops. It is also equipped with a Phillips terminal balance spring with an internal curve designed by "Grossmann". This unique piece comes with a blue crocodile leather strap. The price of the watch has not been revealed yet.

For more information, you can visit Kari Voutilainen’s official website.