Master watchmaker Kari Voutilainen’s latest timepiece features a reversed configuration that positions important components on the front rather than the backside.
Based on the discontinued KV 28Ti (Titanium Inverse), the new 2024 KV20i Reversed has a similarly inverted movement, and while the reversed configuration is not a first in watchmaking, the level of detail for this particular watch is profound.
Presented in a 39 mm stainless steel case, titanium, white gold, rose gold, or platinum, made in-house with signature Voutilainen teardrop-shaped lugs — the case is just one example of what non-commercial Swiss watchmaking is all about.
Aesthetically, the German silver mainplate and bridges, the latter of which features hand anglage (though none of the most complex interior angles), the gold hour and minute hands with blued open tips, and the massive balance wheel, among other immaculately finished components make for an incredible dial.
Horologically, the watch is equally impressive. The massive in-house crafted 13.5 mm free-sprung balance wheel, equipped with rose gold timing weights (that can be precisely regulated), a Phillips overcoil, and a Grossmann interior curve (which increases accuracy) — has been repositioned more symmetrically at 12 compared to the two thinner supporting balance bridges of the 28Ti model, replaced with a larger single arm design.
Further, the 2.5Hz manually wound 60-hour movement features two escapement wheels, which provide a direct impulse to the balance through the roller jewel. According to the manufacture, “This innovative construction improves efficiency by requiring less energy than the Swiss lever escapement and allows for notable benefits, for everyday use, such as longevity, stability, and a longer power reserve.”
A blue hour and minute ring, with white printed minutes graduation, the Voutilainen logo printed in white at 12, and raised gold dots at 3, 6, and 9, surrounds the dial — allows the time to be read at a glance, though considering the dial in essentially a ring, the movement itself was given priority.
A blue ring similarly surrounds the rear dial, with an off-center small seconds display with an open-tipped counterweight and 0-60 printed in white. The sapphire crystal and caseback ring are secured with 8 signature Voutilainen screws and all the components have been finished to perfection, like on the front side. A plate that reads KV20i-XXX is affixed to the bridge on the lower section of the backside of the movement and will show the individual number of the watch.
The KV20i Reversed comes with a hand-sewn crocodile leather strap and the retail price starts at approximately $130,000+ in stainless steel, and goes up for titanium, 18K white gold, 18K rose gold, and 950 platinum.
Learn more at Kari Vouilainen.
Photos by Kari Voutilainen.
