Showing at WatchTime IBG 2014: Harry Winston Project Z8


Harry Winston Project Z8WatchTime and noted watch collector and expert Jeff Kingston have teamed up again for the 2014 edition of the popular “Inside Basel.Geneva” series of collector events, kicking off September 5 in Chicago. Among the core sponsoring watch brands is Harry Winston, which will showcase its innovative Harry Winston Project Z8 watch at the events.

The Harry Winston Project Z8, part of the brand’s Ocean collection, is the latest model in the Project Z series, which showcases the use of Zalium, a zirconium-based alloy that is exclusive to Harry Winston. Zalium, which is used for the watch’s round, 44.2-mm-diameter case, is lighter and harder than titanium and extremely resistant to corrosion. Its matte, gunmetal gray color gives the Project Z8 a distinctive look among luxury sports watches.

The watch is powered by an automatic-winding Dual Time movement, made exclusively for Harry Winston timepieces, which is designed to display the time in two different zones, one for local time and one for reference time. All of Project Z’s various functions are arranged in separate areas on the dial: the hours and minutes display on an off-centered subdial at 1 o’clock; a day/night indicator at 3 o’clock; a stylized “Shuriken” — a signature element of Harry Winston’s Project Z watches – serving as a movement-operating indicator; and a pointer-type date display. The dial’s center features a retrograde dual-time display fitted with a curved, anodized aluminum hand to point to the hour.

Unlike with many other dual-time or GMT watches, on which the second time zone can only be adjusted clockwise, the retrograde dual-time display on the Harry Winston Project Z8 can be turned in both directions via an additional clutch system. Operated by the crown, this function makes it much easier for the wearer to change time zones. The movement, Caliber HW3502, contains 281 components, including 32 jewels, a flat silicon balance spring, and a skeletonized rotor made of white gold. It has a frequency of 28,800 vph, boasts many fine decorative touches including a circular côtes de Genève motif, and is visible through a sapphire crystal caseback.

Project Z8’s multi-level dial has a chapter ring with a galvanic black circular satin finish, a minute circle with beveled circular satin finish, a central disk with an inverted, radiating Clou de Paris hobnail motif, and a second time-zone hour ring with black, circular satin finish. The zone corresponding to the reference time is composed of seven superimposed appliqués, while the GMT zone consists of five interlocked elements. The case has a satin finish on the upper surface with a micro-blasted zone on the lower sides as well as around the edge.

The Clou de Paris hobnail motif is echoed on the black rubber strap, which is secured by an ardillon buckle made of Zalium.

Harry Winston Project Z8

The Harry Winston Project Z8, which made its debut at Baselworld 2014, is a limited edition of 300 pieces. IBG 2014 attendees will have the rare chance to see the watch up close and in person. Click here for more on the event and to order tickets for one of the four event cities.