As the horological world eagerly awaits WatchTime New York 2023, now less than two weeks away, a few names stand out as rare icons to join the show. Among them is undoubtedly the Finnish independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen, who will once again present his latest to Manhattan’s Gotham Hall on October 20 to 22nd.
Renowned for creating watches of exquisite refinement, Voutilainen has consistently delighted watch enthusiasts with his unique take on the craft. This year, the Finnish watchmaker has introduced an intriguing new model that redefines the brand’s aesthetic while retaining its signature craftsmanship. Meet the Voutilainen TMZ CSW, where “TMZ” refers to its movement and “CSW” stands for Cushion Shape Worldtime.
The Voutilainen CSW is a departure from previous design motifs by the brand, which have typically opted for classic round styles and unique tear-drop shaped lugs. Instead, in the new design Kari Voutilainen has envisioned a watch for the 21st century— youthful, casual, and crafted in stainless steel.
This timepiece, while distinctively contemporary, retains the general essence of a Voutilainen watch. The CSW features a rounded square-in-cushion case with short lugs and dimensions of 39mm x 39mm, accompanied by a slim profile of 12mm. Four functional screws grace each corner of the case, adorned with the brand’s signature three-hole design, echoing on the case’s back to secure the assembly. Interestingly, this case design isn’t entirely new; it made its debut in a unique pocket watch created for Only Watch 2019 (below), itself a collaboration between Kari Voutilainen and his daughter, Venla. Voutilainen additionally created a piece unique variation of the latest CSW for this year’s Only Watch event .
The CSW’s sportier case houses a dial that embraces Voutilainen’s signature style while introducing a world time complication. The dial’s creation marries traditional techniques with contemporary design, featuring an engine-turned pattern on a solid silver base that enhances legibility. Twenty-four engraved divisions represent the world’s time zones. At the center, a delicate trivague wave motif adds a touch of elegance. Plated in ruthenium, the dial boasts a modern anthracite color.
The dial showcases central hours and minutes, graced by Kari’s exquisite handmade white gold and blued steel hollowed hands. The world time function is a highlight, driven by a rotating 24-hour disc with day and night sectors and a peripheral city ring. Môtiers, the Swiss village housing Kari’s workshop, and Kemi, his hometown in Finland, are featured prominently. The CSW is a clever watch, allowing world time adjustment via the crown, eliminating the need for additional push pieces.
Powering the Voutilainen CSW is the calibre 216TMZ, a substantial hand-wound movement with a new escapement featuring two direct impulse escape wheels. It boasts an oversized 13.5mm free-sprung balance wheel with a Grossman interior curve and Philips exterior curve, beating at 18,000 vibrations per hour. The power reserve is an ample 60 hours. German silver mainplates and bridges are hand-finished with generous bevels and sharp internal angles. The wheels are solid rose gold, with beveled spokes, showcasing craftsmanship at its finest.
The Voutilainen TMZ CSW will be limited to ten editions, with pricing marked at CHF 198,000 (excluding taxes), or about $218,000 USD at the time of writing.
To learn more, visit Voutilainen, here.
And to purchase your tickets to see this model live and in-person at WatchTime New York 2023, click here.