Ocean Biretrograde Automatic

While Harry Winston was founded in 1932 and famously became the “Jeweler to the Stars,” the brand also expanded into fine watches in 1989. The first Harry Winston timepiece collection was called the Premier (named after Mr. Harry Winston’s first company, Premier Diamond) and the watches’ signature design detail was a trio of columns on the top and bottom of the case.

It may come as no surprise that several Harry Winston watch collections draw inspiration from precious gems or the company’s iconic flagship store in New York City. For instance, the Harry Winston Emerald watches have cases that mimic the shape of the founder’s favorite diamond cut. The Art Deco-styled Avenue watches are not only named after Fifth Avenue but also incorporate design elements from the store’s architecture, such as the dramatic arched entrance.

In 2001, Harry Winston unveiled the Opus watch series, which were limited edition high-complication pieces created in partnership with master watchmakers. Early in the series, the Harry Winston Opus project was led by Maximillian Büsser (of MB&F) and included fascinating mechanical creations by François-Paul Journe, Vianney Halter, Christophe Claret, and Felix Baumgartner—a veritable who’s who of modern horology. In 2007, Harry Winston doubled down on its watch division by opening up a new watchmaking facility in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Other notable Harry Winston timepiece collections include the classic Midnight, the bold Ocean, the daring Histoire de Tourbillon, and the cutting-edge Project Z, which features watches made from a proprietary material called Zalium.