Harry Winston and Vianney Halter - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII Geneva Friday, November 3, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Harry Winston and Vianney Halter
    Year: 2012
    Reference No: Ref. 520/MMVPH
    Case No: 044384, caseback further engraved 16/25
    Model Name: Opus 3
    Material: 18k pink gold
    Calibre: Manual wind, inhouse movement, 47 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k pink gold Harry Winston deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 37.5mm wide 37.5mm long (not including lugs)
    Signed: Case, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Opus 3 fitted box, International Warranty and outer packaging

  • Catalogue Essay

    There are watches that have been game changers upon their release and the harry Winston/Vianney Halter Opus 3 is undoubtedly part of this elite circle.

    The Opus series – a truly avant garde and out of the box concept - was launched in 2000 by Max Büsser, the then CEO of Harry Winston watches, whereby the brand would work with independent watchmakers to co-create a timepiece. Whereas the first two Opus series were more classical in their approach (respectively made with F.P. Journe and Antoine Presiuzo), Opus 3 changed the game and became the benchmark for what collectors expected from the Opus series, there was a before and after Opus 3.

    Launched in 2003, at a time when Creative Independent Horology was still in its infancy, the Opus 3 with its bombastic design and mind boggling digital time indication forged a new vision that would pave the path for what would come next. It is THE watch that put Harry Winston’s Opus series on the horological radar.

    The brain child of Vianney Halter - a genius watchmaker whose main inspirations are outside of the horological sphere and mainly in machinery, steampunk imagery and science fiction – the Opus 3 is nothing short of astounding.

    The watch indicates time and date but is most certainly one of the most complex time only models ever made with a movement of extreme ingenuity and innovation consisting of 7 overlapping discs for the time and date indications but also a very playful and ingenious countdown of the last 4 seconds of each minute that can be read as follows:

    - Top row from left to right: AM/PM and countdown indicator, date (tens), hours (units)
    - Lower row from left to right: tens of minutes, date (units) minutes (units)

    The Opus 3 had some teething problems when originally introduced and it took close to ten years to make it function correctly and during that time, it is believed that not a single order was cancelled giving the watch its legendary status.

    The pink gold case with its organic forms, swiveling lugs (inspired by the pillars of the Harry Winston flagship boutique in New York) and restrained size can perfectly fit any wrist.

    Limited to 25 pieces in pink gold and 25 pieces in platinum as well as 5 in platinum with baguette cut diamonds.

43

Ref. Ref. 520/MMVPH
A game changing and cutting edge pink gold wristwatch with digital display number 16 of a limited edition of 25 pieces with box and guarantee

2012
37.5mm wide 37.5mm long (not including lugs)
Case, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF70,000 - 140,000 
€73,000-146,000
$77,000-154,000

Sold for CHF95,250

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Europe, and Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

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The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII

Geneva Auction 3 - 4 November 2023