HARRY WINSTON – Histoire de Tourbillon 2

Histoire de Tourbillon 2 embodies the visionary spirit and the determination of Harry Winston to explore new dimensions in a daring and distinctive manner. The bi-axial flying tourbillon combines two concentric carriages to create a striking visual effect. Housed within an outer carriage completing one full turn in 120 seconds, the internal carriage containing the balance, balance-spring and escapement revolves in just 40 seconds. While this multidimensional regulating-organ complication plays the starring role, the brand’s signature excentered look is expressed in a resolutely atypical manner. Eight sapphire crystals punctuate the case, revealing the tourbillon coupled with running seconds at 9 o’clock, the hours with day/night indication at 2 o’clock, and the minutes at 6 o’clock. This is an Haute Horlogerie high-tech instrument that does not merely measure time, but actually lives it with vibrant energy and confidence. 20-piece limited edition.

Movement
Hand-wound bi-axial flying tourbillon with outer carriage in titanium and internal carriage set at a 10-degree angle. 95 parts, circular-grained, polished and shotpeened finishes. 50-hour power reserve.

Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds and day/night indication

Case
Polished, satin-brushed and shotpeened 18K white gold, 48.5 mm
Five sapphire crystals on the dial side and three on the caseback
Water-resistant to 30 m/3 ATM

Dial
Opaline black
Linear guilloche motif at 12 and 4 o’clock
Excentered pointer-type hour display at 2 o’clock, disc-type minute display at 6 o’clock and seconds at 9 o’clock
Day/night indicator at 2 o’clock featuring orange for daytime and blue for night-time

Strap
Matt black alligator

While Harry Winston is primarily a luxury Jewelry company, known for his diamonds and precious metal designs as opposed to horological superiority, their complex movements combined with tasteful design cues make their watches very appealing to me. If I had the money, I would consider a Harry Winston peice for myself.

This new piece is limited to 80 pieces, with a minute repeater, and partially exposed movement. Circular Geneva Stripes, and double sapphire crystals. The de-centralized dial and visible minute repeater mechanism is too cool. Encased in solid 18k rose gold or white gold, this timepiece screams class and style all at the same time.