Harry Winston
Wrist jewelry: technical performance and aesthetic innovation
Watchmakers and jewelers realize every single step, from the beginning to the end, by hand, and a particular care for details
It takes at least one year of work to realize a Harry Winston timepiece. From the first to the last step, watchmakers and jewelers do everything by hand, thus devoting extreme care to search for details and attention to every particular aspect. Not just simple jewel but a real piece of craftwork where tradition and innovation are blended into one. Each piece is an expression of the original will: complex timepieces whose technical performance is combined with aesthetic innovation.
Completely different from others, the timepieces belonging to Harry Winston’s tradition inherit the craftsmanship of jewelry-making and the constant search for perfection which inspired the founder, Ronald Winston. Harry Winston, son of the famous jeweler, has earned the nickname ‘the king of diamonds’ because of his expertise in precious gems and his creativity in designing jewelry; he is a ‘scientist’ of this business and he is relentlessly committed to finding new precious alloys and new lines through observation and design.
Harry Winston Maison speaks to two market sectors: watches and jewelry for women and men, the latter being famous for their highly technological content and technical applications. By respecting the purest Swiss watchmakers’ tradition, Harry Winston distinguishes itself through cutting-edge technical research.
From 1989 to present day, the concept has not changed, despite steady experimentation. About 20 years have passed by since Ronald Winston launched his first series of watches. Named ‘Galatea’, the collection brought to the market the first watch ever made of rhodium, round dial with Swiss movement and an articulated watch strap, which made it a real piece of jewelry. The following series also feature the same elegant traits as well as the quest for elevated expression. Watches, which came about some 80 years after jewelry, are an extension of the brand whose signature is in any case self-evident in the elegant design and unique precious gems. A watch from ‘Signature’ collection, for example, is a real work of art. The watch strap, which comes in three versions, yellow gold, white gold or platinum, is made of meshes that are carved and mounted by hand. The result is a mesh with waving light effects which naturally wrap around the wrist like a second layer of skin.
There are two options for the dial: square and round. Watches from Premier collection have an unmistakeable distinctive design feature: the clasps of the watch strap, in the shape of a bow, are inspired by the neo-classic vault decorating the façade of Harry Winston’s boutique on Fifth Avenue. Indeed, ‘Avenue’ is the name which inspired another collection which refers to two of the most prestigious addresses worldwide: Fifth Avenue and Avenue Montagne, namely the location of Harry Winston’s boutiques in New York and Paris. On the occasion of this collection dedicated to women, Harry Winston has crafted its very first rectangular watch. Through the first scuba dive, platinum-made watches, Harry Winston confirms its pioneering vocation. As always, the focus on the technical performance is as high as on aesthetics. Waterproof to ten atmospheres (100m), the mechanism and assembly of these watches requires absolute precision. It is again by Harry Winston the creation of the first ‘Biretrograde’ watch in 1999, a unique piece of jewelry whose fully craftsmanship-based creation took as many as 14 months. The same concept also inspired the ‘Biretrosecond’ model, an exceptional timepiece, which combines a sporty line with valuable materials. Despite its upscale products, Harry Winston Maison sells almost three thousands pieces in its 70 stores scattered throughout the world. A good result which, once again, rewards remaining loyal to an inning idea. As a matter of fact, extending the target group through a wider range of products has meant, to Henry Winston, being loyal to its company’s vision which speaks to an audience of connoisseurs. Conversely, one should also admit that one does not need to be an expert to become delighted with these pieces of jewelry that are real works of art.
Accessories, Jewellery, Men, Men, Men Collection, Watches,
Tags: Avenue Montagne, ‘Biretrograde’, ‘Biretrosecond’, ‘Galatea’, ‘Signature’ collection, diamonds, Fifth Avenue, Harry Winston Maison, Harry Winston timepiece, Ronald Winston, swiss watchmakers, technical performance, watchmakers and jewelers
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