Harry Winston Opus 3

Ref. 520/MMVPHAn incredibly rare, unusual and interesting limited edition wristwatch with digital display of time, date and countdown features

Manufacturer: Harry Winston Year: Circa 2013 Reference No: 520/MMVPH Case No: 044394 further stamped with limited edition number 1/25 Model Name: Opus 3 Material: Platinum Calibre: Manual wind, inhouse movement, 47 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Alligator Clasp/Buckle: Platinum Harry Winston deployant clasp Dimensions: 37.5mm wide 37.5mm long (not including lugs) Signed: Case, signed Harry Winston and Vianney Halter, movement signed Opus, deployant clasp signed HW Accessories: Accompanied by fitted box, open guarantee and instruction booklet There are watches whose importance in the horological sphere is so important that there is a before and an after. And the Opus 3 is definitely part of this elite cast. 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 the enfant terrible of independent watchmaking 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 platinum 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 (like the present watch) as well as 5 in platinum with baguette cut diamonds, the present lot is rendered even more attractive as it bears number 1/25.