by Curtis D. Thomson - November 2006
To refresh the memory, Voutilainen's decimal repeater sounds the minutes in ten-minute intervals instead of the typical fifteen-minute intervals (quarters based). For example, 1:53 - in the decimal system the time would be sounded out as: Hours - 1 dong, Tens - 5 ding/dongs, Minutes - 3 dings (1-50-3). In the quarters based system the time would be sounded out as: Hours - 1 dong, Quarters - 3 ding/dongs, Minutes - 8 dings (1-45-8). Notice anything? Yep, that's right; in the decimal based system "exact" minutes are sounded. A logical, if not inspired, system.
Just as with MP6 and MP7 the case is made by master casemaker Gideon Levingston, who is the mastermind behind Carbontime and has supplied his new oscillator to Voutilainen's Caliber 25 Chronograph. The case is made with traditional techniques in white gold and measures 39 mm in diameter and 10.5 mm in height and has a sapphire display back. Voutilainen makes the hands from gold and steel himself.
The movement is jeweled to the hammers with 32 jewels in total and a matching running reserve of 32 hours. The free sprung balance vibrates at 18,000 vph and employs the Swiss lever escapement. As with all of Voutilainen's work the "kahdeksan" is immaculately finished - Geneva waves, beautiful full bevels, sharp internal angles, spotless mirror finishing and straight grained flanks all bear witness that he is a master of his craft.
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Kahdeksan
The third watch in a series of five unique decimal repeaters, Kari Voutilainen's Masterpiece No. 8 is unadorned and, dare I say, simple. The first two, MP6 and MP7, each have one additional feature (power reserve and second time zone), but the "kahdeksan" (eight in Finnish) is a soloist dream - center stage, no distractions and the spotlight is focused on this watchmaker's striking innovation.
Bits & Bobs
Although this is the "simplest" of the three Masterpiece Decimal Repeaters to date, it is still a minute repeating watch and there is nothing simple about that. Starting with a vintage LeCoutlre minute repeater, Voutilainen fabricates a host of components, including racks and snails, to convert it into a decimal repeating watch. The original split bi-metallic balance and blued steel hairspring have been replaced by an in-house Stainless steel variable inertia balance wheel with gold timing screws and top quality auto-compensating alloy hairspring, formed with Phillips overcoil.
The gold engine turned dial uses two different patterns of engine turning and has gold applied Roman numerals, with all numbers being plated in rhodium except for the number eight, which remains gold, and identifies this Masterpiece.
Busy Bee
Having finished Masterpiece No. 8 earlier this year and continuing his work on his chronograph series, what can we expect in 2007? Well, there will be chronographs to make and deliver, commissioned work (more on that later), maybe MP9... is that enough? I think so, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was more to report from Motiers in '07.
