Harry Winston: A quarter century of brilliance, like a star

The "HW Ocean" collection, created by Harry Winston, one of the world's leading high jewelers with its headquarters on Fifth Avenue in New York, celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2023. Setting itself apart from traditional watchmaking maisons, the brand's pursuit of unique mechanisms and bold designs has resulted in genuine luxury sports watches of unparalleled rarity and special value. This essence is beautifully embodied in the new collection, released a quarter of a century later.

HW Ocean Collection 25th Anniversary Since 1998

　Harry Winston entered the luxury watch industry in 1989, and roughly 10 years later, under the guiding principle of creating truly exceptional and exceptional timepieces, the brand developed a powerful sports watch that combined unique design and functionality. The name, "HW Ocean," evokes the image of the high life of traveling the world on a luxurious cruiser. Now firmly established as one of the brand's signature models, the collection has long been distinguished by its biretrograde movement, characterized by its two symmetrical repeating displays; its architectural openwork movement inspired by New York's cityscape; its Zalium alloy, made famous by the "Project Z" series; and its innovative designs for chronographs, tourbillons, and perpetual calendars.

　This year, celebrating Harry Winston's 25th anniversary, the new model, the HW Ocean Date Moon Phase Automatic 42mm, was released. The new dial, featuring beautifully radiant mother-of-pearl representing the ocean and sparkling diamonds representing the sparkle of the sea, also boasts a captivating off-center display layout. The geometrical composition of the three intersecting circles—the time display at 2 o'clock, the date display above it in a giant ring forming the number "8," and the moon phase display sandwiched between them—is reminiscent of the popular HW Midnight Date Moon Phase Automatic 42mm. While the movement is also the same, the caliber HW3203, what sets this new model apart is the meticulous diamond decoration, a hallmark of Harry Winston.

　The off-center dial features two rows of graduated diamonds between the hour markers, the date ring alternates between odd numerals and diamonds, and the moon phase display is surrounded by a single row of diamonds. The dial is adorned with a total of 112 round brilliant-cut diamonds, while the bezel, case sides, lugs, and crown guards are set with a total of 196 round brilliant-cut diamonds, with 44 on the buckle.

　To commemorate the 25th anniversary, a limited edition of five models was produced with a bracelet, the entire watch covered in approximately 1000 diamonds, and they have already sold out. This is nothing short of the ultimate piece of jewelry that also functions as a watch. While a watch simply decorated with diamonds is not uncommon, in the case of Harry Winston, only the highest-grade diamonds, carefully selected for their color, clarity, and cut, are used, and the jewelers' skill in setting them with advanced techniques creates exceptional value. This is truly the "King of Diamonds."

　Even more outstanding is the fact that this watch breaks away from the conventional idea that diamond decorations are merely used to enhance the elegance of a women's watch. The diamonds subtly accentuate the dynamic sporty look and elegant details of the HW Ocean, exuding an exceptional aura of luxury throughout the entire watch. This presentation is sure to make the owner shine and add brilliance to various aspects of their lifestyle. If the true value of a luxury watch is to enrich the soul when worn, then this watch will be the perfect partner to fulfill that role.