The spellbinding bloom with gemstone petals is immortalised using the jeweller’s renowned invisible setting.
Symbolic of happiness, love, longevity and joy, the chrysanthemum takes centre stage on the Harry Winston Premier Hypnotic Chrysanthemum Automatic 36mm high jewellery watch, which is offered in two variants featuring turquoise or blue tones.
Taking cues from nature, Mr Winston believed gemstones should dictate design and float freely in near invisible settings as showcased on this timepiece beautifully. Bursting with intense blue and green tones, the spectacular opals – each painstakingly polished by hand before being applied on the dial – are accented by dazzling white diamonds that enhance their fiery brilliance.
To create great depth and volume on the dial, Harry Winston designers expertly worked to create unique layers using the house’s innovative gem-setting techniques. The first layer is composed of 60 baguette-cut diamonds set on an 18k gold base. Rising from this majestic diamond platform are 32 marquise-cut and 160 brilliant-cut diamonds interspersed between the opals.
Both models feature ‘peacock’ opals, an apt name that refers to the multiple tonalities of blue and green. A reference to the house’s signature colour, blue plays a dynamic, ever-changing game, alternating from deep midnight blue to neon turquoise to luminous green, depending on the light.
Gracing the luxurious 18k white gold case are 161 baguette-cut diamonds in an invisible setting, embellishing the bezel, case sides, and on the distinctive arches at 12 and 6 o’clock, designed to recall the arched entrance of Harry Winston’s Fifth Avenue Flagship Salon. A difficult and demanding execution, the invisible setting requires stones to be positioned in tight, perfect arrangements in order to conceal their underlying structure. The result: A solid, uninterrupted surface that reveals each stone’s face in its entirety. In addition to the sparkling case, the watch strap features brilliant-cut diamonds at the four points of attachment. And depending on the model, a matching dark blue or light blue sapphire is set in the crown.
The showpiece is powered by a high-end Swiss mechanical automatic movement with a robust 72-hour power reserve. The latest technology, in the form of a flat silicon balance spring, ensures years of impeccable service. The sapphire crystal on the caseback reveals the fine finishes on the movement, including the circular Côtes de Genève on the bridges, circular graining on the base plate, rhodium-plated parts, and a skeletonised rose gold rotor with the letters “HW”.
The straps of both Premier Hypnotic Chrysanthemum models echo the colour scheme of the dial. The model with opals in turquoise tones is presented with a matching pearly turquoise alligator strap, while the other is accompanied by a pearly dark blue alligator strap. Both straps feature a gold ardillon buckle set with 28 baguette-cut diamonds.
(All images: Harry Winston)
