Finishing is what makes a luxury watch a true haute horlogerie in many ways. Of course, having an outstanding movement is also necessary, something Swiss watchmaker Schwarz Etienne has mastered for some time with its cutting-edge modular movements.
Once you bring in a skill like Kari Voutilainen, Finland’s finest finisher, then you have something very special: the Schwarz Etienne ROMA SYNERGY by Kari Voutilainen.
Like many of Voutilainen’s creations, the starting point for the ROMA SYNERGY is the dial. Available in sand grey or a stunning sea blue, each features a number of different, impressive guilloché techniques.
In the centre of the dial is the “écaille de poisson”, designed to mimic fish scales, which stretches from the centre of the dial towards the hour track. The hour track itself is engraved with a sun pattern and perfectly smooth waves around the edges. As if that weren’t enough, the small seconds hand at 6 o’clock has its own “fuzzy” guilloché pattern, a Voutilainen signature that few craftsmen can pull off.
Despite the various finishes, the watch remains legible, with a combination of large silver Arabic numerals and baton hour markers that are sharp and modern. The final touch is the inclusion of the two manufacturers’ names, Schwarz Etienne in the usual position below 12 o’clock and Kari Voutilainen in the small seconds position at 6 o’clock.
The slim 39mm steel case is not as ornate as the dial – unsurprisingly – but is still well made, highly polished and features Etienne’s unusual lugs that create an unusual profile.
Inside, though, the Calibre ASE 200.00 is almost as impressive as the dial, with an 86-hour power reserve and surprisingly thinness thanks to the micro-rotor. Voutilainen has again given this little rotor a lavish makeover, as has the wider movement, with snailed, bevelled, diamond-dropped and black-polished details. It’s a bit tired. Even the shock-absorbing system is finished in rose guilloché, because at this point, why not?
ROMA SYNERGY is a masterclass in top-notch handcrafted watchmaking, demonstrating why putting the Voutilainen name on any watch is enough to get collectors’ blood boiling. In short, it’s impressive. Hopefully we can avoid another lockdown so we can see it in action soon.
Price and specifications:
Model name: Roma Synergy by Kari VoutilainenModel number
: WROVMA03SSCUBCLTD-A (blue-grey leather strap, gold leather lining)
WROVMA03SSCUBCLTD-A (grey leather strap, grey leather lining)
Case/dial: 39 mm diameter x 11 mm thickness, stainless steel
Water resistance: 50m (5 bar)
Movement: Calibre ASE 200.00, automatic with micro-rotor
Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)
Power reserve: 86 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds at 6 o’clock
Strap: Blue-grey leather with gold leather lining or grey leather with grey leather lining, both with stainless steel folding clasp
Price: CHF 27,400 (excluding taxes), limited to 50 pieces each
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