The life’s work exhibition of Kari Voutilainen unveils the intricacies of world class watchmaking

The exhibition ”Voutilainen, The Art of Watchmaking” opens to the public on April 24, 2024. It marks the first museum exhibition dedicated to the life’s work of the world-renowned grandmaster, Kari Voutilainen. The exhibition showcases unique watches crafted by Voutilainen, as well as sketches, photographs, and videos related to his work. Voutilainen is recognized as one of the most significant watchmakers of our time, a pioneer timekeeper.

Kari Voutilainen knew from a young age that he wanted to work with his hands and be independent. He graduated from the Espoo Watchmaking School in 1986 and subsequently worked as a watchmaker and teacher in Finland.

His desire to learn more grew, leading him to Switzerland, where he completed the WOSTEP certification in 1989. Before establishing his own company, Voutilainen SA, he worked in Switzerland as a unique piece creator specialist at Parmigiani Mesure et Art du Temps. Kari Voutilainen crafted his first watch bearing his own name (number 2) in 1995.

Voutilainen has expanded his business and expertise by acquiring several watchmaking factories and workshops. In addition to crafting unique timepieces, his company group manufactures watch dials, watch cases, watch parts, intricate guilloché engravings, as well as polishing and finishing for watch cases and jewellery.

Moreover, Voutilainen has collaborated on watchmaking technology with major watch brands. Recently, at the Oscars ceremony, actor Cillian Murphy, winner of the Best Actor award, wore a golden brooch crafted by Voutilainen.

Kari Voutilainen has also collaborated with the beloved Finnish brand Leijona. The Leijona X Voutilainen collection was launched in 2019. With this collection, Leijona returned to manufacturing mechanical watches. Among other attributes, the Leijona brand symbolizes courage. Voutilainen embodies concepts such as high quality, rarity, elegance, style, classic elegance, and traditional watchmaking craftsmanship.

Voutilainen’s expertise is highly esteemed worldwide. He has won ten of the most prestigious category awards in the watchmaking industry at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG). The Finnish Watchmakers’ Association awarded him the title of grandmaster watchmaker in 2014. Traditional watchmaking has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The exhibition is open from April 24 to September 29, 2024.

Mondays closed

Tuesdays open from 12 am to 7 pm

Wednesdays to Fridays open from 11 am to 7 pm

Weekends open from 10 pm to 5 pm

The Finnish Museum of Horology and Jewellery Kruunu, serves as an educator of the cultural heritage, history, and significance within the watch and jewellery industries. We preserve, research, and exhibit the cultural history of the watch and jewellery industries and showcase the industries through rotating main exhibitions every six months. Typically, one to three exhibitions are on display at a time.