Out of this world Masterpiece…

Baselworld 2012:  Speaking of rare air when it comes to elite watchmaking, feast your senses on the Harry Winston Opus 12. A mechanical genius!  Far and away one of the best new releases each year, Harry Winston never fails to deliver (Opus 11, Opus 10 are the last two).  The Opus 12 was made in collaboration with watch maker Emmanuel Bouchet, a relative unknown as is often the case for the Opus collaboration.  At a glance, the Opus 12 is not as radical in form as many prior Opus models, but the simple round case shape belies its masterful complexity and playful manner.  It is somewhat difficult to explain, so please watch the video animation I have also posted, but basically it works like this:  hours are marked by the short blue hand, minutes by longer blue hand.  The “hands” are actually 24 markers mounted on the periphery of the case — and when its “time is due”, the hand flips over and up so that its blue side is visible (again please see the video and my illustrations below to understand this). In the center of the watch is a clearly marked retrograde 5 minutes indicator, a subsidiary seconds dial (under frosted sapphire), and a power reserve indicator.  Now beyond the innovative time display, the Opus 12 does something very cool happens every hour on the hour — the hour/minute hands “roll” consecutively around the dial.  This is purely for visual effect, and wow is it satisfying

In summary — the Harry Winston Opus watches are far and away at or near top when it comes to the best watches from the best minds in watchmaking — the Opus 12 is no exception.  Nicely done, Emmanuel Bouchet and Harry Winston.  The Harry Winston Opus 12 price is about $260,000.

See also:  Closer Look at the Harry Winston Opus 12 Watch

Harry Winston Opus 12 by Emmanuel Bouchet (Official)

limited edition 120 pieces

46mm polished white gold case (Zalium mid-section),manual-wind mechanical movement (607 parts, 2 barrels, 24 hands, 45 hr power reserve), on black alligator strap with white gold buckle

Opus 12 VIDEO

Dial/Functions:  Hour and 1/12th of an hour (five-minutes) displays via a rotating, double-hand system
Animation of the 12 hour hands at each change of hour
Animation of the minutes hands every five minutes
Retrograde five-minute display, power-reserve indicator and small seconds
Small seconds with frosted sapphire crystal
Bracelet: Hand-sewn black alligator leather