One Giant Leap
Harry Winston has unveiled the Histoire de Tourbillon 7, which the brand says takes a giant leap forward in the world of high-end watchmaking and challenges current high complications.
This is the seventh edition of the brand’s legendary complication: the tourbillon. After having explored its variations— biaxial, triaxial, double or coupled with a carrousel—Harry Winston has added, on the Histoire de Tourbillon 7, two biaxial tourbillons.
The right side of the dial features a pyramid-cut reading area that houses the hour and minute hands. it is surrounded by indexable inserts that form a tilted three-dimensional hour circle. Extended by a long strip in either red aluminum or anthracite, depending the version, perforated for a better view of the two biaxial tourbillons, it overlooks a power reserve indicator in roll form that is flush with a domed sapphire crystal.
The left side of the dial displays the harmonious movement of the two biaxial tourbillons. The first tourbillon cage moves into a second cage and both turn on a different axis. The two biaxial tourbillons move the escapements of the Histoire de Tourbillon 7.
The tourbillon’s first cage completes its rotation in 45 seconds and houses a balance wheel that is tilted 30 degrees. The tourbillon and the balance wheel remain housed in the second cage, which has a different trajectory, as it lasts 75 seconds.
The two tourbillons, though identical in structure, frequency and speed, have their own behavior, due to their different positions in space. To reconcile the operation of these two rotating time-regulating bodies, the Histoire de tourbillon 7 uses a spherical differential that optimises performance, by connecting the two tourbillons—which have subtly different operations—and creating an average.
The case, made from white gold, has a 50 mm diameter and polished bezel. The crown is guarded by the Harry Winston logo—three arches that represent the entrance to the house’s Fifth avenue flagship salon in New York. The case body has a satin finish and lugs that are accented with a diamond bezel.
Short and plunging, the lugs are designed so that the large sides of the timepiece rest comfortably on the wrist.