After four years leading the relaunch of Urban Jürgensen (UJ) alongside co-chief executive Alex Rosenfield, Kari Voutilainen is returning to the bench and dedicate his time to watchmaking and development, while Mr Rosenfeld will assume the role of sole chief executive.

Despite this change, the relationship between Mr Voutilainen and UJ remains strong; he will still be involved, albeit in a more hands-off capacity as a shareholder, board member, and senior strategic advisor. From this vantage point, Mr Voutilainen, who has a long history with UJ, should retain substantial influence over the brand’s direction.

Initial thoughts

The news of Kari Voutilainen stepping back from day-to-day executive responsibilities at UJ seems natural, and was probably inevitable. Having gotten the relaunched brand into orbit, Mr Voutilainen is putting things in the hands of the team at UJ to carry on. Judging by the steady pace of deliveries so far this year, there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic about their capabilities.

One reason this change seems natural is that it follows a similar move at Voutilainen earlier this month. Mr Voutilainen has been planning for the future and putting management teams in place to build a long-term business and free up more of his own capacity for working on new watches and movements. His daughter, Venla, is also stepping down from her role as chief operating officer at UJ in order to assist with the family business.

Kari Voutilainen alongside recently appointed Voutilainen CEO Angélique Singele.

According to UJ, Mr Voutilainen, in his advisory role, will continue to contribute to the development and design of new UJ models, while also providing strategic guidance to ensure the brand’s DNA is preserved. A rare combination of master watchmaker and astute businessman, his continued participation at the board level should help ensure continuity at the nascent brand.

The Nordic connection

Mr Voutilainen cut his teeth at Urban Jürgensen during the brand’s first renaissance under Peter Baumberger in the 1980s — a Finnish watchmaker helping restore a Danish brand. Decades later he helped lead the brand’s 2021 acquisition by the Rosenfield family. Family patriarch and prominent collector Andrew Rosenfield serves as executive chairman, while his son, Alex, now takes the reins, supported by his brother as chief financial officer.

Despite missing its original 2023 target, UJ launched in 2025 with an impressive (if expensive) initial lineup that was worth the wait. Furthermore, the brand has already begun making deliveries to collectors. Mr Voutilainen’s experience, connections, and very high standards no doubt contributed to the smooth launch.