Voutilainen

Kari Voutilainen (born 1962, Rovaniemi, Finland) graduated from the Finnish School of Watchmaking in 1986 and continued studies at WOSTEP. He worked at Parmigiani restoring complicated watches from 1990-1999, then taught at WOSTEP until 2002. In 1994, he produced a tourbillon pocket watch that was exhibited at the International Museum of Watchmaking in La Chaux-de-Fonds. He established his own atelier in Môtiers in 2002, initially producing watches for other brands while creating select pieces under his own name. The brand debuted at the 2005 Basel Fair. The Observatoire won the Grand Prix de Genève in 2007. In 2011, Voutilainen introduced its first in-house movement, the Caliber 28, powering the iconic Vingt-8 with its innovative dual-wheel natural escapement. In 2014, Voutilainen acquired dial manufacturer Dialtech SA, enabling in-house dial production including work for brands like Richard Mille and MB&F. In 2021, Voutilainen and investors acquired the historic Urban Jürgensen brand, with Kari appointed CEO.