Harry Winston Histoire de Tourbillon 10
Press Release
Harry Winston Histoire de Tourbillon 10
For the first time ever, Harry Winston uses four distinct tourbillons in a Histoire de Tourbillon creation. Arranged in perfectly symmetrical order, the four independent, adjacent cores rotate in 36 seconds, their high-precision steps unified by a series of three differentials. Together, they make Histoire de Tourbillon 10 a timepiece dedicated to superlative chronometry, with a unique design.
Having previously used tourbillons with single, double or triple axes, combined (or not) with single or double tourbillons or a carousel, Harry Winston's latest creation makes a big impression with a new achievement in watchmaking. For the first time ever, a wristwatch produced as a series is equipped with four tourbillons. This achievement, which translates into an equally impressive design, represents a milestone in the story of the Histoire de Tourbillon collection.
A milestone
Histoire de Tourbillon 10 marks the 10th anniversary of the Harry Winston collection, dedicated to the reigning complication in contemporary fine watchmaking. A decade of perseverance and innovation has pushed the boundaries of what the tourbillon can do. This year, the collection culminates in two timepieces -- 10 of each -- and a special edition Winstonium model, limited to just one unique piece.
A dream vehicle
A rectangular case was needed to realize the Histoire de Tourbillon 10 complication. At 53.3 mm wide and 39.1 mm tall, the piece is as much a vessel as it is a watch. The four tourbillons of the HW4702 caliber, which has no less than 673 components, can be seen in the four corners of the case, housed in a glass box of impressive proportions and supported by two transverse bridges. Carved like three- dimensional wings, openworked and sculptural, they round out the impression of symmetry that emerges from Histoire de Tourbillon 10.
Distributed operation
The idea behind using multiple regulating mechanisms is to take advantage of the qualities of each one and harness their unique way of reacting to gravity, the effects of which the tourbillon is designed to offset. Thus, they do not mark the same time, but the same time must be given, so the operation of these mechanisms is unified by three differentials. The first is connected to the two tourbillons on the left, while the second is connected to those on the right side of the case. The third, which is large and located in a central position, does the job of averaging the two previous differentials and transmitting its information to the juxtaposed hands.
Distributed power
The tourbillons are a major source of precision for Histoire de Tourbillon 10, but they are not alone. Chronometry relies on other factors, including the quality of the power flow that feeds the regulating mechanisms. The closer this flow is to complete consistency, the smoother and more accurate the movement of the tourbillons is. This phenomenon is made possible by two pairs of fast-winding barrels that are overlaid, mounted successively, and then connected to the tourbillons. As a result, the energy is not shared across the four corners of the movement, but distributed as required.
Center stage
The Histoire de Tourbillon 10 dial is a single component sapphire piece, with complex and perfectly symmetrical volumetry. Its central part is a hollow circle that hosts the 12 hour markers for the chapter ring. It extends upwards and downwards through a rectangular extension that carries the two large numbers 6 and 12. The bezel of this exceptional timepiece also uses volume in a distinctive way because it is chamfered and beveled, and features greater elevation at 6 and 12 o'clock. At these two sensitive points, the bezel is marked by two notches, which, together with the variation in height, trace the three Harry Winston arches. This reference to the architecture of the entrance to the iconic Fifth Avenue Showroom is one of the specific signatures of Harry Winston timepieces.
In contrast
The surface coloring of the HW4702 caliber rounds out the personality of the three versions of Histoire de Tourbillon 10. The unique Winstonium piece can be recognized by its two large blue tourbillon bridges, a color borrowed from the gearwheel bridges inside the case, while the rest of the platinum is completely rhodium-plated. The white gold model features rhodium-plated tourbillon bridges and a dark gray platinum. This shade is repeated on the back of the barrel bridge. Finally, the version with the rose gold case inverts its colors in the barrel bridges and features a rhodium-plated platinum. The strap of each Histoire de Tourbillon echoes the various models. The Winstonium and white gold versions are mounted on alligator leather with large scales and topstitched with a 950 platinum thread. And, the pink gold version launches a new bracelet color: black with copper highlights enhanced by topstitching in rose gold thread. Elegant, sophisticated touches and a profound attention to the tiniest details allow for a series of truly unique timepieces.