For Harry Winston, the Histoire de Tourbillon collection is an exploration of how the tourbillon –magnificent in its simplicity, mesmerizing in its execution, enthralling in its motion –might evolve. The most recent introduction to this collection, Histoire de Tourbillon 4, continues the spirit of invention that has been the hallmark of the Histoire de Tourbillon timepieces since their inception. In Histoire de Tourbillon 4, a radical re-interpretation of the original design of the tourbillon makes it a tourbillon that is truly a child of the 21st century, with aesthetics that reflect the modernity and high precision instrumentality of this re-interpretation.
The tourbillon was patented by its inventor in 1801 and was originally designed to solve a problem inherent to pocket-watches generally kept in waistcoat pockets: since they remained fairly constantly in the same vertical position, the force of gravity had detrimental effects on their accuracy. The tourbillon places the critical regulating organs of a watch in a rotating cage, so that they are never in any fixed position long enough for this to occur. At the time, a tourbillon which had only one cage, rotating in a single plane, sufficed. But the modern wristwatch, which assumes an almost infinite number of different positions during the day, demands a cutting edge solution –and it was from this necessity that Histoire de Tourbillon 4 was born.
The heart of Histoire de Tourbillon 4 is a single oscillator, contained within three concentric cages, each of which rotates not only at a different speed, but at a different angle with respect to the other cages. As the wristwatch is truly an inhabitant of three dimensional space, so the tourbillon must transcend its origins and become one as well. The innermost cage, which encloses the oscillator and escapement, rotates once every 45 seconds. The intermediate cage, which encloses the first, rotates once every 75 seconds. And the third, outermost cage rotates at a stately speed of one revolution every 300 seconds –all together ensuring that at no moment will gravity be able to disturb the steady heartbeat of the oscillator.
Such an achievement is all the more remarkable when one remembers that in an ordinary watch, enormous precision is necessary to get enough power to the oscillator for it to beat strongly and regularly. In a tourbillon, even greater precision must be achieved, as the mainspring must drive not only the heart of the watch, but the cages that protect it from gravity as well. Triple the cages, and you triple the problem, making Histoire de Tourbillon 4 one of the most complex mechanical timekeepers ever made.
Throughout Histoire de Tourbillon 4, enhancements and refinements in construction that extend to every aspect of the movement ensure superb performance and split second accuracy, including two, fast rotating barrels to deliver superior energy with lower friction, and a tourbillon that despite its dimensions is almost unbelievably light: only 1.57 grams.
The most essential component, of course, is the oscillator itself, the balance wheel and the delicate balance spring, which must be made to the highest standard of precision in order for the triple tourbillon system to fulfill its promise. Thus, the balance is of the variable inertia type, avoiding the potentially disturbing influence of a conventional regulator; the effective inertia of the balance is controlled by means of 18k gold timing screws in the rim. The balance spring must “breathe” as perfectly concentrically as possible, and so it has been made with a Phillips curve. This is a method of forming the outermost coil of the spring so that it ends, in a Geneva-type stud, above the other spring coils.
To provide a strong, light, corrosion-resistant foundation for its mechanism, the plates and the bridges are made of titanium –a use of a high tech material in dynamic contrast to the hand-applied chamfering of the main plate and bridges. These enhancements not only make the Histoire de Tourbillon 4 oscillating system remarkably efficient, but also –thanks to the low energy consumption engendered by such precise construction –allow the timepiece to have a power reserve of a full 50 hours.
The resolutely precision-oriented nature of Histoire de Tourbillon 4 is borne out in its dramatic but refined design, which acknowledges the traditional codes of watchmaking while evoking a highly contemporary architectural style. Arranged in multiple levels, the triple tourbillon carriages are fitted with an indicator for the running seconds reminiscent of the air-carving blades of high performance aircraft propellers.
Bold, contemporary colors, and the “open grid” dial configuration which illuminates the movement further suggest both the dynamism and form-follows-function aesthetic of the best of modern architecture and mechanical design, as well as further emphasizing the link to the world of cockpit instrumentation. The multi-level arrangement of domed sapphire crystals and intricately interlocked mechanisms suggest a miniature mechanical metropolis –a utopian dream of horological perfection.
Of course, such work of art does not come into being overnight. Over 3,500 hours of painstaking labor were required to develop Histoire de Tourbillon 4, and further testing and homologation of this most high performance of movements consumes over 400 additional hours. The most skilled watchmakers take a full 160 working hours to assemble the 345 movement components, which are then placed in a luxurious 18k polished white gold case, with Harry Winston’s signature ZaliumTM case band, arches, lugs.
This exclusive and magnificently different timepiece is available in a limited edition of only 20 pieces worldwide, and for those who experience it, it will be a living symbol of the endless possibilities to be explored by Harry Winston, in the undiscovered country that is the future of the tourbillon.
Technical details
Name: Histoire de Tourbillon 4
Reference: HCOMDT47WZ001
Movement
Patented Movement Caliber HW4501
Type: Mechanical, manual-winding, tri-axial tourbillon
Dimensions of movement
– Diameter: 40.40 mm
– Height: 17.30 mm
Number of components
– Complete movement: 345 components
– Tourbillon: 134 components
Tourbillon weight: 1.57 gr
Number of jewels: 59
Power reserve: 50 hours
Barrels
– Rapid rotating twin barrels in series (1 turn in 3.2 hours)
– One barrel equipped with a slipping spring to avoid excess tension
Balance wheel: Variable-inertia balance fitted with 18 gold adjustment screws
Alt. / hour: 21’600 (3Hz)
Balance spring: Phillips curves, Geneva-type stud
Main plate: Titanium, micro-blasted, hand-chamfered, PVD treated
Bridges
Titanium, polished, hand-chamfered, PVD treated
Polished gold, hand-chamfered intermediate carriage bridge
Tourbillon
Internal carriage containing the balance spring and the escapement pinion rotating cycle of 45 seconds
Intermediate carriage rotating cycle of 75 seconds
External carriage rotating cycle of 300 seconds
Carriage pillars in titanium, circular graining, PVD treated
Functions
Hours, minutes
300 seconds indication on the tourbillon
Power-reserve indicator
Case
Material
18K polished white gold
ZaliumTM with DLC treatment case band, arches, lugs and tourbillon bezel
Case dimensions
Diameter: 47 mm
Height: 21.7 mm
Crystal
Sapphire
Curved sapphire crystal on the tourbillon
Harry Winston logo engraved on the tourbillon bezel
Case back
Partially open
Sapphire crystal, 18k white gold, ZaliumTM plate with DLC treatment
Water resistance: 30 meters
Crown: 18K white gold and rubber
Dial
Three-dimensional dial, black gold finish, with apertures on the movement
Black galvanic flange and appliques
Black and silver applied hours, minutes and power-reserve indicator with horizontal satin-brushed counters centers
Engraved, black galvanic “HW” emerald logo at the center of the hours counter
Indexes filled with black, grey, orange and blue varnish
Strap
Hand-sewn black alligator leather Buckle
18K white gold, double-ardillon buckle
Limited Edition
20 pieces
