JEWELERY WATCHES FROM HARRY WINSTON
AN “IMAGINARY” DUCHESSE... The first of this trio of haute jewelry watches is the very embodiment of the company credo: “only the exceptional.” Harry Winston is pleased to present Duchesse as a preview to this new collection; the other two timepieces are scheduled to be introduced later in the year The unique characteristic that unifies this set is that the designers crafted each timepiece in the style of an ornament – a cameo, a hair ribbon and a necklace clasp – enabling a woman to choose one or another of them to suit her mood and attire. All three designs highlight the stone synonymous with Harry Winston: the diamond. Each piece presents a different cut: a pear shape for the Duchesse, and emerald and oval shapes for those to follow.
... THAT REINTERPRETS THE WINSTON EXCELLENCE “If I could, I would attach the diamonds directly onto a woman’s skin,” Harry Winston once said. Duchesse virtually realizes this desire. The setting remains relatively invisible, allowing the diamonds the necessary space to freely express their full beauty and brilliance. The Duchesse’s threedimensional form represents the very distinctive Harry Winston signature of overlapping stones and geometric grace. The cameo, often the ornament used in securing a scarf, served as the inspiration for Duchesse timepiece. The triangular piece, in which the pear-shaped case is “nestled”, is reminiscent of a brooch that is cradled by the nine parallel strands that comprise the bracelet – four of which are set with baguette-cut diamonds and five with round-cut diamonds. These strands of the bracelet “flow” from the case like the scarf beneath a cameo, moving delicately away from and then returning to the case in a way that perfectly accentuates the wrist’s contours. The sumptuousness of Duchesse finds its highest expression in the subtle divergence between the geometric rigor of the gemstones and the way the timepiece so aptly mirrors the curve of the female body.
A HAND-CRAFTED WATCH The craftsmanship required for the creation of this timepiece evokes the mastery of haute-couture artisans. The Duchesse bracelet has been hand-crafted, applying the principle “one stone, one link”, to prevent any gaps between the gemstones. Each gemstone is set in a “reverse pyramid” motif leaving the impression that the stones are free-mounted. Although each strand of the bracelet is independent, they are joined symmetrically by the clasp press. Illustrating the extreme attention to detail of Harry Winston’s artisan jewelers, the “claw” (that is, the screwed part, which closes the back of the “cameo”) is an open-work pear shape, allowing the interior of the timepiece to be admired and permitting access to the corrector located on the case-back. With this new collection of haute jewelry watches, Harry Winston adds a new, highly sophisticated dimension to the notion of a “set of jewelry”. Duchesse is just the first jewel in the crown; two more will be unveiled later in the year.