Kari Voutilainen has created an exceptional synthesis of Japanese tradition with Swiss haute horlogerie with an all-embracing mechanical and visual work of art that unites the East and West in perfect harmony. The timepiece uses the techniques of lacquering which takes far more than thousand hours of work to complete the dial, bridges and cover of the case back.
The raw materials for its creation are: Kinpun (gold dust), Jyunkin-itakane (gold leaf), Yakou-gai (shell of great green turban) and Awabi-gai (abalone shell from New Zealand). This bespoke watch been inspired from late autumn scene with the spirit of circle of life.
The lacquer studios in the world is Unryuan in Wajima town in Japan are exponents of traditional Japanese lacquer skills and under the guidance of T. Kitamura, they create works of lacquer art that stand at the pinnacle of Japanese tradition. Bringing a craft that has existed for hundreds of years into the present, exemplifying the passion to preserve the soul, spirit and identity of traditional Japanese culture as expressed in the Edo period.
This kind of work of art made hundreds of years ago is still here today, it can be restored and remains like new even when we touch and manipulate lacquer with human hands. This superlative work engages us immediately on a physical level and one can only stand in awe at the commitment, patience and dedication required to create these works of art.
The Voutilainen 28 Aki-No-Kure features an in house designed movement with hours and minutes functions. The watch is made from 18 ct high palladium gold and measures a diameter of 39 mm and features an alligator strap. Aki-No-Kure literally meaning the scene in late autumn and a notion is displayed in the watch theme i.e. the circle of life.
