For those who insist on having a one-of-a-kind watch, only a few watchmakers can answer the call.
One of them is Kari Voutilainen, who entertains practically any request. One of his most recent orders featured the Orion constellation engraved on the back with a layer of enamel on top, making it three dimensional, while the face is covered in tiny dots and has a night and day indicator.
'My client said as a kid he loved looking at the Orion constellation so he wanted it on a watch,' Voutilainen says. 'I worked together with an engraver and we presented a few ideas to the client and from there we decided what to do.'
The Finn watchmaker, who is based in Switzerland, was recently in Hong Kong to meet with clients and avid collectors who are eager to acquire his watches. As an artisan watchmaker, he only makes a small series of between 10 and 50 watches, which can then be further personalised for each client.
Or for those who insist on having a one-of-a-kind watch, Voutilainen can create a piece just for him or her - if they are willing to wait.
Each watch can take almost three years to complete and it is a continuing process of communication between the client and Voutilainen. After 2,000 hours of work, each gains great satisfaction - for the customer receiving exactly what they wanted, and the watchmaker fulfilling the request with precision and artistry.