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Lot Essay
Harry Winston’s highly imaginative collaborations with some of the world’s foremost watchmakers in the creation of the brand’s Opus collections has attracted the attention of serious watch collectors, something that few jewelry houses have ever achieved.
Each year since 2001, a limited edition Opus model has been created in collaboration with an exceptional independent watchmaker. The original idea being that the independent watchmakers would achieve wider public recognition by the association with Harry Winston, at the same time enhancing Harry Winston’s reputation as a serious horological player. The results of the Opus collaborations have been highly impressive and the series has been responsible for the creation of some remarkable state-of-the-art timepieces.
The Opus series has gone on to become a cult line for serious collectors of modern independent watches. While later editions were introduced in larger and larger numbers, when the series was launched in 2001 working with the legendary watchmaker François-Paul Journe, there were only 18 pieces in total: six with five-day automatic movement (as the present watch), six tourbillons and six with the innovative resonance escapement.
Excitingly for collectors, the present timepiece displays traits unique to early watches made by Francois-Paul Journe. In particular, the movement features straight Côtes de Genève, found only on the earliest Octa movements, instead of the circular ‘Côtes circulaires’ decorating later examples.
Each year since 2001, a limited edition Opus model has been created in collaboration with an exceptional independent watchmaker. The original idea being that the independent watchmakers would achieve wider public recognition by the association with Harry Winston, at the same time enhancing Harry Winston’s reputation as a serious horological player. The results of the Opus collaborations have been highly impressive and the series has been responsible for the creation of some remarkable state-of-the-art timepieces.
The Opus series has gone on to become a cult line for serious collectors of modern independent watches. While later editions were introduced in larger and larger numbers, when the series was launched in 2001 working with the legendary watchmaker François-Paul Journe, there were only 18 pieces in total: six with five-day automatic movement (as the present watch), six tourbillons and six with the innovative resonance escapement.
Excitingly for collectors, the present timepiece displays traits unique to early watches made by Francois-Paul Journe. In particular, the movement features straight Côtes de Genève, found only on the earliest Octa movements, instead of the circular ‘Côtes circulaires’ decorating later examples.