Her Hour: Venla Voutilainen

The brand, originally founded in 1773, experienced a significant revival beginning in 1979 when Swiss entrepreneur Peter Baumberger acquired the rights to the name. Under his leadership, Urban Jürgensen transitioned from a small distributor and repair center into a respected high-end watchmaker, producing notable models such as the Ref. 1 Calendar Chronograph.
 

After Baumberger's unexpected death in 2010, the brand faced challenges but was ultimately acquired by Dr. Helmut Crott, who reunited Urban Jürgensen with its sister brand, Jules Jürgensen, in 2012. This marked a significant step in restoring the brand's heritage and continuity in high-quality watchmaking.

Currently, under the leadership of Kari Voutilainen and with Venla Voutilainen as COO, Urban Jürgensen is celebrating its 250th anniversary and is actively developing new collections that honor its rich history while introducing innovative designs. 

As the daughter of esteemed watchmaker Kari Voutilainen, Venla embodies the rich legacy of the Voutilainen family. With her leadership in operations and after-sales service, Voutilainen is dedicated to ensuring that every Urban Jürgensen timepiece, from its inception to the present day, is not only cherished but also meticulously cared for.

Describing the world of watchmaking as both expansive and intimate, she says, “The world of watchmaking is very big and a small world. It’s a passionate world and a very beautiful passion.” This passion drives her commitment to maintaining the high standards that Urban Jürgensen is known for while also fostering innovation and inclusivity within the industry.

Addressing the current state of diversity in watchmaking, Venla highlights a significant disparity in how watches are marketed to different genders. She observes that “men’s watches are always with mechanical movement and with a big diameter of the case,” while “ladies’ watches are always a quartz movement with a lot of diamonds.” Voutilainen advocates for a shift in this paradigm, suggesting that there is a need for smaller mechanical movements, such as 38mm pieces without diamonds, which would appeal to women who appreciate craftsmanship over embellishment.

Voutilainen firmly believes in empowering women within the watch industry. She asserts that societal perceptions are shifting and sees this as an opportunity to promote equality. “The world is changing and we have a good opportunity to change the mind of the people,” she explains. Her vision for the future includes a watchmaking landscape where women are not just participants but leaders: “In the future, I believe that in watchmaking there will be more women than before.”

Through her insights and initiatives, Venla Voutilainen is not only preserving her family’s heritage but also paving the way for future generations in horology. Her dedication to quality, equality and innovation positions her as a rising star in an industry ripe for transformation. As she continues her journey at Urban Jürgensen, collectors can rest assured that their treasured timepieces are in capable, manicured hands.