Harry Winston - RETROSPECTIVE: 2000 - 2020 Geneva Sunday, November 8, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Harry Winston
    Year: Circa 2011
    Case No: 050'249 and 025/100
    Model Name: Opus Eleven
    Material: 18K white gold
    Calibre: Manual, 155 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Harry Winston double deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 53.7mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Harry Winston International Warranty, product literature, loupe, polishing cloth, presentation box and outer packaging

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Harry Winston Opus series - a brainchild of volcanic watchmaker and entrepreneur max Busser - gifted to the world some of the most unusual, fascinating and complex timepieces to ever see the light of day. Focusing with different watchmakers/designers (such as - beyond the aforementioned Mr. Busser - Halter, Forsey, Baumgartner) allows for each piece to truly be a completely different beast in terms of design, engineering solutions, complication and any other element. Opus Eleven - in collaboration with Denis Giguet - does not stray from the remarkable path followed by its predecessors.

    Launched in 2011, on paper this watch is deceptively simple as it can technically be described as a “time only” wristwatch. No date, no running seconds, nothing else. The most cursory glance is however enough to be sure this is anything but a simple timepiece. While it technically does only tell time, it does so in an incredibly visually appealing way thanks to one of the most intricate (if not the most intricate) time only movement ever devised.

    The case design itself is more than eclectic, characterised by two pavilions to the right band, and a crown on the left at 10 o’ clock. The 2 o’clock pavilion houses the digital minute indication, achieved via two overlapping discs (for units and tens) in constant motion. Below this, one finds the second pavilion, displaying the titanium balance wheel. And finally the eye lands on the “dial”. If dial it can be called. The hour is immediately legible in digital fashion at the center. On closer examination one notices that it is printed on four adjacent tiles, each with a fragment of the font. Around it, one finds a system of satellite gears ultimately operating a total of 24 tiles. Each tile is printed on both sides with a fragment of a number. At the hour, a mesmerizing dance takes place: the four central tiles forming the current hour “disintegrate” and the entire gear system revolves until 4 different tiles are aligned at the center indicating the new hour.

    A total of 111 examples were made - 11 diamond-set pieces, and 100 white gold ones. The present specimen - number 25. - is offered in very good condition and complete of its accessories.

262

A large, mesmerizing and extremely unusual white gold wristwatch with digital time display, Certificate and presentation box, number 25 of a 100 pieces limited edition

Circa 2011
53.7mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
CHF73,000 - 110,000 
€67,600-102,000
$79,500-120,000

Sold for CHF176,400

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

 

Thomas Perazzi

Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2031

WatchesHK@phillips.com

RETROSPECTIVE: 2000 - 2020

Geneva Auction 8 November 2020