Your timepieces are often described as “mechanical poetry.” How do you translate emotion into mechanical form?
We translate emotion through the combination of technical precision and fine finishing. Every watch we create reflects a harmony between mechanics and aesthetics. Techniques such as hand-anglage, perlage, and Côtes de Genève on the movement, combined with hand-guilloché dials, hand-crafted hands, and refined cases, allow us to give form to emotion and imbue each watch with a soul. By performing the finishing entirely by hand, we give every timepiece a unique touch—like an artist expressing their craft.

When you design a new watch, what comes first — the movement, the aesthetics, or the story behind it?
The creation of a watch always begins with the dial, which expresses the story behind the timepiece. There is constant interaction between the dial, the movement, and the case construction—a back-and-forth process to position every element correctly. The proportions of the complications and functions are very important. Everything is interconnected: proportions, aesthetics, technical construction, and readability. It is equally important that the functions are intuitive and easy to use.

In an era driven by technology and precision, where does art fit within watchmaking today?
Art is an integral part of every timepiece. It is not only about aesthetics; the movement and its mechanics are themselves a form of art. The shapes of the cases express artistic intent, while hand-guilloché dials and traditionally hand-finished components embody craftsmanship and passion.

What does “perfection” mean to you when everything you create is shaped by human hands?
In a movement, the technical aspect must be perfect, and fabrication must be precise and accurate. However, hand-finishing introduces the human touch that brings life. Doing things by hand gives the watch a soul. Tiny imperfections, far from being flaws, add character and make each piece unique.

Many collectors say a Voutilainen watch feels alive. What, in your opinion, gives it that soul?
Behind every Voutilainen timepiece lie countless hours of technical and aesthetic hand-finishing carried out by our skilled artisans. Our independence gives us the freedom to work this way. We are not restricted by industrial constraints; we can create in the way we believe is best. Equally important is the relationship with the client—their requests, their motivations, and what the watch represents to them. This connection is what truly gives life to the timepiece.

Your finishing standards are considered among the finest in the world. Which single finishing technique do you find most meditative or most revealing of a watchmaker’s true skill?
There is no single technique that stands above the others. What matters is consistency and attention to every detail. Each finishing method requires focus, discipline, care, and passion. It is the overall harmony that reveals an artisan’s true skill.

You’ve often emphasized independence and in-house mastery. How essential is it for a watchmaker to control every stage of creation from the movement to the dial?
It is not about control, but about mastering every stage—from conception to fabrication of the dial, movement, and case internally. This approach removes limits on creativity and technique. It gives us the freedom to shape every detail according to our philosophy. By doing things ourselves, and with the support of our partner companies that produce our components, we ensure both quality and continuity.

How do you balance traditional hand tools with modern machinery in your atelier?
Modern technology allows us to produce components with exceptional precision something not possible before the digital era. Once these parts are made with accuracy, everything is hand-finished in the traditional way. Precision is the foundation, but the human hand gives each component its character, its soul, and its identity.

Patience lies at the heart of true craftsmanship. How do you pass that mindset on to the next generation of watchmakers?
All our watchmakers, decorators, and collaborators share the same vision, which is transmitted throughout the workshop. They are deeply involved and passionate about what they do. Patience and passion are essential; creating something by hand requires both. Our work is driven by teamwork we help each other and learn from one another every day. We also welcome young students from watchmaking schools, training them and sharing our philosophy.

Which technical innovation or design element in your watches are you most proud of and why?
I am particularly proud of our escapement. We managed to apply the principle of the “natural escapement,” originally envisioned by Abraham-Louis Breguet, and make it perfectly reliable. It is a true technical achievement. This construction, with two escapement wheels delivering a direct impulse to the balance, requires far less energy than traditional lever escapements, improving longevity and stability in everyday use.

Your dials often reflect elements of nature, fine art, and Japanese lacquerwork. Where do you find inspiration for your colors, textures, and forms?
Inspiration comes from many sources. Nature influences me through its colours, contrasts, and the intricate forms of flowers and plants. Architectural details shapes of old houses or elements like hinges and window handles often resemble miniature works of art. Classic cars also captivate me with their fluid lines and timeless elegance. The type of watch guides the design: classic or technical pieces call for sobriety, while artistic models explore richer colours and intricate details. Inspiration also comes from our collectors; their ideas often lead to new creative directions.

How did your collaboration with Japanese artisans begin, and what have you learned from their philosophy of craft and imperfection?
When I was teaching at WOSTEP, one of my students was the Japanese watchmaker Masahito Hayashi, and we have remained in contact ever since. He and his family introduced us to Mr. Tatsuo Kitamura of the Kitamura Studio, one of the world’s foremost Urushi lacquer studios. Since then, Masahito Hayashi has coordinated the creation of our lacquer dials and movement components in collaboration with Kitamura Studio and the Voutilainen workshop. A single dial often requires over 1,000 hours to complete.

Do you believe fine watchmaking and fine art overlap that a Voutilainen timepiece is, in essence, a form of wearable art?
Absolutely. Every Voutilainen watch is a work of art, both technically and aesthetically. Each piece is like a hand-painted original entirely unique, crafted by hand with creativity, care, and precision.

From restoring antique masterpieces to creating your own, how has your definition of timelessness evolved?
Restoring antique masterpieces deeply shaped my understanding of horology. It teaches what works and what doesn’t, both technically and aesthetically, and inspires new ideas. For me, timelessness lies in precision, robust cases, hand-crafted dials, and traditional techniques that endure. Restoration reveals solutions that were precise and reliable centuries ago—and many of those methods remain part of our watches today.

What lessons from your restoration years still guide your approach to building modern watches?
Restoration taught me how to create watches that truly endure—watches made for future generations. Everything was made to last. We design with that philosophy: robust bridges, plates, screws, all made by hand. We choose materials that are available and reproducible. Durability and serviceability are essential.

Do you view independent watchmaking as a rebellion against industrialization or a preservation of tradition?
I see independent watchmaking primarily as a preservation of tradition. It is complementary, not oppositional. Over the past decade, collaboration has increased; industrial manufacturers have learned from independents and vice versa.

As an independent watchmaker, how do you balance creative freedom with collectors’ expectations?
We listen to our clients and guide them according to their wishes while ensuring everything aligns with our philosophy and technical possibilities. Our limited production allows us to go beyond trends and let inspiration guide creation. The watches must always retain the Voutilainen signature: dial codes, hands, cartouches, case shapes, and in-house movements. At the same time, clients’ ideas often push us to explore new decorations and techniques.

What’s your greatest challenge and your greatest joy in remaining independent?
Our greatest joy is creative freedom. We are not constrained by profitability targets and can determine our own production methods and volumes. Being a small atelier allows us to maintain close contact with clients and make decisions efficiently. The main challenge is managing investments in machines and materials but it is a positive challenge that encourages thoughtful planning. Everything is handcrafted, and this combination of creative freedom and careful decision-making defines our independent spirit.

What would you like the next generation of watchmakers to learn not from you, but for themselves?
The next generation faces a difficult challenge: we live in a fast-paced world where everything is instantaneous. But horology requires time, patience, care, and dedication. They must understand that certain things simply take time, and that this time is essential. True savoir-faire lies in the process of making—not rushing. This is at the heart of creating fine watches.

Is there a moment in your workshop perhaps a sound, a mistake, or a detail that still gives you goosebumps?
When I’m in the workshop assembling watches, I remain fully focused, unaffected by any surrounding noise.

When you complete a timepiece, do you ever feel reluctant to part with it?
No. When a watch is made for a client, the mindset changes you create it knowing it is meant to belong to someone. It is a pleasure to make someone happy, to share the same passion, and to craft a watch for them.

Is there a particular story behind one of your watches that only you and its owner will ever know?
Yes, every watch has personal stories that only the owner and I know. It often begins with the reason they ordered the watch often deeply personal or emotional. I am involved in the entire process, from design guidance to personally assembling and packaging each piece. Every detail carries meaning, creating a uniquely private connection between the watch and its owner.

If you could create a watch for any historical figure or artist, who would it be and what might it look like?
I deeply admire the watchmakers of early 19th-century England and Paris, especially Abraham-Louis Breguet. If I could create a watch, I would have loved to design one together with him.

And finally, what does time mean to you personally, beyond horology?
Time is a paradox. We create instruments to measure it, yet we cannot control it. We wish we could slow it down, but we cannot. Time moves endlessly forward and all we truly desire is to have more of it, to savour it fully.