Designed with purity and
defined by precision, Opus 9
distills fine watch making
down to its absolute essentials.
Optimising their function and form,
classic timepiece technologies are impeccably
reengineered and refined to show a
different reading of time. True to the
Harry Winston Timepiece DNA, technical
innovation is combined with the highest-quality diamonds. Unequivocally
modern, unmistakably Opus, the result is
a new, abstract expression of time: Linear
driven time, captured in diamonds.
In Opus 9, diamonds are not merely a
decorative element, but the functional
element of time telling. Replacing the
traditional watch hands and cyclical dial,
time is displayed by two parallel diamond
chains, for hours and minutes. Sleek and scintillating, each chain is adorned with 33
baguette-cut diamonds, Harry Winston’s
signature shape. Vivid mandarin garnets
are strategically positioned to indicate the
hours and minutes. Meticulously calibrated,
each stone is perfectly set into the
links, to ensure movement, while maintaining their brilliance. Crafted in brass,
the chains are designed to maximise mobility
while minimising friction. |
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Recalling
Harry Winston’s iconic, invisible settings,
the gemstones appear as floating lines of
light, seamlessly unfolding across the dial.
Maintaining the minimalist style of
display, the chains are powered by a
strong automatic movement, concealed
within the case. Transforming rotational
time into linear time, a rack and pinion
mechanism creates the lateral drive
needed to propel the continual gliding
movement. Though seemingly simple,
extreme balance and mechanical precision
are essential to mobilise the weight of the
diamond chains. While chain mechanisms
have been explored before, the added weight of diamonds presents a new
technical and functional challenge.
A stunning feat of architectural
engineering, Opus 9 marks the first time
that Harry Winston has partnered with
two, independent pioneering forces in
haute-horlogerie. Both long-time Harry
Winston designers, watch maker Jean-Marc Wiederrecht, and Eric Giroud, |
