VOUTILAINEN X LEIJONA

Kari Pekka Voutilainen (born 1962) is probably the best known contemporary independent watchmaker from Finland. He embodies craftsmanship, practical innovation and handmade artistry in his work.

He completed his initial watchmaker’s training at the world renowned watchmaking school of Tapiola in Espoo, Finland between the years 1983 and 1986. During that time Kari got familiar with Leijona watches while working as a summer intern at Oy Perkko Ab, the manufacturer company of Leijona.

After his studies Kari Voutilainen worked for Parmigiani Mesure et Art du Temps between 1990 and 1999 restoring some of the most complicated and rare watches of the world. For the following three years he gave back to others much of the fruit of his experience by teaching at the WOSTEP School of Watchmaking.

Following his teaching years Kari Voutilainen founded in 2002 his own company, Voutilainen Artisan d´Horlogerie d’Art. His aim from the beginning was to create annually small amounts of horological works of micromechanical art in the Swiss village of Môtiers. Today the atelier of Voutilainen employs 15 skilled artesans and together they craft and manufacture approximately 45 watches yearly (2018).

Currently Kari Voutilainen has two subsidiaries: Comblémine SA is a manufacturer of dials and Voutilainen & Cattin SA is a manufacturer of watch cases.

Over the years he has been repeatedly noted and highly awarded by the industry and his peers for his creations.