Swiss luxury watch brand Harry Winston presents the Premier Shinde Automatic 36mm as a tribute to Ambaji V. Shinde, the iconic designer of the world renowned jewellery house established by Harry Winston.
In 1955, Harry Winston met Ambaji V. Shinde, whom he used to call the gem behind the gems, during a trip to Bombay, and immediately recognized the similarities in their passion for creativity and design. Mr. Shinde became the iconic designer of the House, infusing Harry Winston treasures with his extraordinarily inventive touch.
The three Premier Shinde models are inspired by archival records of Mr. Shinde’s jewelry creations. They reinterpret two of his necklace designs – including the famous “Star of the Desert” – and a tiara, all masterpieces and an important part of the history of the House.
The essence of the original jewelry creations is captured and portrayed on the dial of each of these timepieces, all featuring a 36 mm case. The symbolic motif is created using a special gold engraving technique. Technical constraints created a challenge and called for close cooperation between the engraving artisan and the designer. The dial is entirely relief-engraved. A slender 24-carat thread is used, daintily resembling a cannetille – a small filigree-type element composed of spirally twisted gold thread. Measuring a mere four-tenths of a millimeter, its capabilities and resulting design are truly extraordinary.
Harry Winston creates a series of enchanting dials enhanced with gold engraving, continuing its sacred tradition of ornamentation. The dials of the Premier Shinde models are made of Grand Feu enamel, a supremely demanding material. The enamel is fired at temperatures between 800 and 900°C, a temperature so extreme that it can jeopardize the work done up until that point. The studied firing operation reveals the beauty and depth of the colours. Harry Winston chose to pair Grand Feu enamel with a touch of gold, creating a multi-layered effect. The eye immediately recognizes the jewelry motif and marquise-cut stones – from one to eight – depending on the model. Driven by a mechanical automatic movement, the timepiece is equipped with a silicon balance-spring.
Technical details
Model: Premier Shinde Automatic 36mm
Movement
Caliber HW2008
Mechanical, automatic
Diameter: 26.2 mm
Height: 3.37 mm
Number of components: 186
Number of jewels: 28
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations / hour (4Hz)
Balance spring: Flat silicon balance spring
Finishes: Circular Côtes de Genève, rhodium plating, circular graining
Functions
Hours and minutes
Case
18K rose gold
Diameter: 36.0 mm
Height: 8.4 mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Case back: Open, sapphire crystal
Water resistance: 3 bars
Gemsetting on the case: 57 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 2.32 carats)
Dial
Gold dial with Grand Feu enamel and gold spangles, Tiara lacework décor in 24K gold, 3 marquise-cut diamonds (approx. 0.08 carats)
Strap
Glossy black alligator leather strap
Buckle: 18K white gold ardillon buckle set with 17 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.15 carats)
Total carat weight
77 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 2.55 carats)
Variations
– 18K rose gold, Gold dial with Grand Feu enamel and gold spangles, Necklace décor in 24K gold, 1 marquise-cut diamond (approx. 0.02 carats), Glossy black alligator leather strap
– 18K rose gold, Gold dial with Grand Feu enamel and gold spangles, Star of the Desert décor in 24K gold, 8 marquise-cut diamonds (approx. 0.21 carats), Glossy black alligator leather strap
