My view on the Harry Winston Ocean Tourbillon Jumping Hour
foversta
Without any doubt, Harry Winston loves to play with Tourbillons. A year after the release of the Ocean Tourbillon Big Date, Harry Winston does it again around the same theme with the Ocean Tourbillon Jumping Hour. Both watches in fact share the same goal, to offer the most ethereal and the most spectacular Tourbillon visually speaking. However, the new version has all the extras that make it even more attractive than its predecessor.
The recipe looks identical with the same dial lay-out (the lower section dedicated to the Tourbillon and the upper section to the time display and the complication), the same 45.6 mm case and the movement base coming from the same Manufacture, Dimier. And yet the aesthetic changes that are brought to the Ocean Tourbillon Jumping Hour enable it to offer an even more dramatic three-dimensional effect. There are two reasons which may explain the attraction it causes on our eyes.
The Ocean Tourbillon Big Date:
The first reason is due to the display. Unlike the Ocean Tourbillon Big Date which uses two sub-dials, the Ocean Tourbillon Jumping Hour only uses one. Since this sub-dial is positioned at 12 o'clock, Harry Winston was able to work on the surrounding area to offer a similar visual rendering than with the Tourbillon. The freed space allows to locate a structure that supports the sub-dial thanks to four hollowed bridges. These bridges are slanting and slightly inclined, they contribute to the impressive feeling of relief and depth: the sub-dial is not only on the foreground but it seems about to leave the watch like a flying saucer which is taking off! The sleek style of the sub-dial is also an asset in this context. Thanks to the jumping hours, Harry Winston doesn't need to use any hand. Hours are displayed through a window located between the logo of the brand and the minutes scale. The minutes are indicated through a very discreet red arrow that travels cicularly along the scale and by overlapping the figures. I must admit that sometimes it takes a little time to find it on the sub-dial but this display makes the window perfectly readable at any time.
The second reason which may explain this aesthetic achievement is of course the design of the Tourbillon. The way it is presented in the Ocean Tourbillon Big Date is really superb, seeming to float in space. The Tourbillon bridges on each side of the watch are parallel to give the impression that the emptiness was totally done around. The approach is different with the Ocean Tourbillon Jumping Hour. If we find again the four hollowed bridges, they are no longer parallel. The space around is less empty, is busier and even more since a circular boundary was inserted at the periphery of the Tourbillon. This boundary combined with the upper sub-dial creates the shape of an 8 which certainly will appeal to Asian customers! I personally really like this shape which symbolizes for me infinity, a welcome nod taking into account the Tourbillon which floats in the air.
If we strictly observe the Tourbillon only, the result may be less impressive than with the Ocean Tourbillon Big Date. While the first watch offers at the same time a plain section and an empty section to play with the contrast they create, the second one adopts the solution of the aesthetic homogeneity on the whole dial. Thus, despite a Tourbillon which is confined to a smaller area, the whole of the watch becomes more visually spectacular with a three dimensional effect which now plays with all the elements while it was dedicated to the Tourbillon only before .
Unquestionably, the Ocean Tourbillon Jumping Hour is more impressive than its predecessor, despite the qualities of the latter. This is not only due to the relief effect. It also feels lighter, airier ... as if it was finally going through with the concept which was initiated with the Ocean Tourbillon Big Date.
This sentiment prevails also movement side by turning over the watch. Despite a similar movement architecture, the decoration of the new watch seems more achieved. It is not the few openworks and openings that lead me to this feeling. They are quite discreet and do not mark a decisive step from the previous movement. The trick was to use a black DLC treatment for the lower plates and bridges to highlight more the upper parts of the movement. The bridges of the power reserve indicator hand and of the power reserve mechanism stand out like the section dedicated to the Tourbillon. Similarly, the reading of the power reserve indicator becomes easier and the blued screws, ubiquitous, become more discreet. Finally, with little changes in the presentation of the movement, Harry Winston manages to make it look better with this more subtle approach. Finishes remain at the same level, that is to say excellent. I still enjoy the shapes of the bridges, the volumes and the contemporary lay-out. This movement has an appreciable performance with a 4hz frequency and a power reserve of 110 hours obtained through two barrels in series.
The movement of the Ocean Tourbillon Big Date:
It's a real delight to wear this Ocean Tourbillon Jumping Hour. Certainly, we must make an effort to enjoy the magnificent show offered by the watch. Indeed, the 45.6 mm white gold or rose gold case is not suitable to any wrist considering its size, despite a rather contained thickness of 13.2mm. But it's worth it! This size allows to enjoy at the same time the aerial Tourbillon Revolution, its floating in the air and the suspension of the sub-dial.
The rotation speed of the Tourbillon cage is standard with a full revolution made in 60 seconds. The small shuriken which is used as a working indicator is still present on the Tourbillon and it is a discreet way to insert this small but important part of Harry Winston style. The Tourbillon keeps its mesmerizing character and yet, ultimately, the pleasure mainly comes from the feeling of aesthetical lightness given by the watch. The structure based on hollowed bridges suspend key elements like the Tourbillon and the sub-dial, is very surprising and brings excitement. More than a watch, the Ocean Tourbillon Jumping Hour appears as an architectural construction extremely advanced like a work of engineering. And maybe it is what ultimately explains why this watch is an unquestionable step forward from its predecessor. I can confirm that, once the wrist, it is almost impossible to not look at it because its attraction power is irresistible.
The Ocean Tourbillon Jumping Hour is available in 100 pieces in white gold, 200 in rose gold without forgetting 20 additional set pieces.
I would like to thank a lot the Harry Winston team for its hospitality during the 2013 Basel Fair.
Pros:
+ a true aesthetic feat that exudes a sense of lightness
+ almost trompe-l'oeil effect of the prominent sub-dial
+ the jumping hours system, ideal in this context
+ long power reserve
Cons:
- the large case diameter doesn't suit to any wrist
- the minutes red arrow is not very legible
Fr.Xavier
The recipe looks identical with the same dial lay-out (the lower section dedicated to the Tourbillon and the upper section to the time display and the complication), the same 45.6 mm case and the movement base coming from the same Manufacture, Dimier. And yet the aesthetic changes that are brought to the Ocean Tourbillon Jumping Hour enable it to offer an even more dramatic three-dimensional effect. There are two reasons which may explain the attraction it causes on our eyes.
The Ocean Tourbillon Big Date:
The first reason is due to the display. Unlike the Ocean Tourbillon Big Date which uses two sub-dials, the Ocean Tourbillon Jumping Hour only uses one. Since this sub-dial is positioned at 12 o'clock, Harry Winston was able to work on the surrounding area to offer a similar visual rendering than with the Tourbillon. The freed space allows to locate a structure that supports the sub-dial thanks to four hollowed bridges. These bridges are slanting and slightly inclined, they contribute to the impressive feeling of relief and depth: the sub-dial is not only on the foreground but it seems about to leave the watch like a flying saucer which is taking off! The sleek style of the sub-dial is also an asset in this context. Thanks to the jumping hours, Harry Winston doesn't need to use any hand. Hours are displayed through a window located between the logo of the brand and the minutes scale. The minutes are indicated through a very discreet red arrow that travels cicularly along the scale and by overlapping the figures. I must admit that sometimes it takes a little time to find it on the sub-dial but this display makes the window perfectly readable at any time.
The second reason which may explain this aesthetic achievement is of course the design of the Tourbillon. The way it is presented in the Ocean Tourbillon Big Date is really superb, seeming to float in space. The Tourbillon bridges on each side of the watch are parallel to give the impression that the emptiness was totally done around. The approach is different with the Ocean Tourbillon Jumping Hour. If we find again the four hollowed bridges, they are no longer parallel. The space around is less empty, is busier and even more since a circular boundary was inserted at the periphery of the Tourbillon. This boundary combined with the upper sub-dial creates the shape of an 8 which certainly will appeal to Asian customers! I personally really like this shape which symbolizes for me infinity, a welcome nod taking into account the Tourbillon which floats in the air.
If we strictly observe the Tourbillon only, the result may be less impressive than with the Ocean Tourbillon Big Date. While the first watch offers at the same time a plain section and an empty section to play with the contrast they create, the second one adopts the solution of the aesthetic homogeneity on the whole dial. Thus, despite a Tourbillon which is confined to a smaller area, the whole of the watch becomes more visually spectacular with a three dimensional effect which now plays with all the elements while it was dedicated to the Tourbillon only before .
Unquestionably, the Ocean Tourbillon Jumping Hour is more impressive than its predecessor, despite the qualities of the latter. This is not only due to the relief effect. It also feels lighter, airier ... as if it was finally going through with the concept which was initiated with the Ocean Tourbillon Big Date.
This sentiment prevails also movement side by turning over the watch. Despite a similar movement architecture, the decoration of the new watch seems more achieved. It is not the few openworks and openings that lead me to this feeling. They are quite discreet and do not mark a decisive step from the previous movement. The trick was to use a black DLC treatment for the lower plates and bridges to highlight more the upper parts of the movement. The bridges of the power reserve indicator hand and of the power reserve mechanism stand out like the section dedicated to the Tourbillon. Similarly, the reading of the power reserve indicator becomes easier and the blued screws, ubiquitous, become more discreet. Finally, with little changes in the presentation of the movement, Harry Winston manages to make it look better with this more subtle approach. Finishes remain at the same level, that is to say excellent. I still enjoy the shapes of the bridges, the volumes and the contemporary lay-out. This movement has an appreciable performance with a 4hz frequency and a power reserve of 110 hours obtained through two barrels in series.
The movement of the Ocean Tourbillon Big Date:
It's a real delight to wear this Ocean Tourbillon Jumping Hour. Certainly, we must make an effort to enjoy the magnificent show offered by the watch. Indeed, the 45.6 mm white gold or rose gold case is not suitable to any wrist considering its size, despite a rather contained thickness of 13.2mm. But it's worth it! This size allows to enjoy at the same time the aerial Tourbillon Revolution, its floating in the air and the suspension of the sub-dial.
The rotation speed of the Tourbillon cage is standard with a full revolution made in 60 seconds. The small shuriken which is used as a working indicator is still present on the Tourbillon and it is a discreet way to insert this small but important part of Harry Winston style. The Tourbillon keeps its mesmerizing character and yet, ultimately, the pleasure mainly comes from the feeling of aesthetical lightness given by the watch. The structure based on hollowed bridges suspend key elements like the Tourbillon and the sub-dial, is very surprising and brings excitement. More than a watch, the Ocean Tourbillon Jumping Hour appears as an architectural construction extremely advanced like a work of engineering. And maybe it is what ultimately explains why this watch is an unquestionable step forward from its predecessor. I can confirm that, once the wrist, it is almost impossible to not look at it because its attraction power is irresistible.
The Ocean Tourbillon Jumping Hour is available in 100 pieces in white gold, 200 in rose gold without forgetting 20 additional set pieces.
I would like to thank a lot the Harry Winston team for its hospitality during the 2013 Basel Fair.
Pros:
+ a true aesthetic feat that exudes a sense of lightness
+ almost trompe-l'oeil effect of the prominent sub-dial
+ the jumping hours system, ideal in this context
+ long power reserve
Cons:
- the large case diameter doesn't suit to any wrist
- the minutes red arrow is not very legible
Fr.Xavier
Comments:
DRMW September 3rd, 2013-15:23
re: Ocean Tourbillon Jumping Looks great in WG and the blue crews contrasting with it gives it a nice depth to the overall design. -MW
foversta September 6th, 2013-14:15
Yes Ming. It is true that the movement has a much nicer looking now... even if it was already very well done in the first watch! Fx
MTF September 4th, 2013-07:52
I'm changing my view of Harry Winston watches FrX, Thanks for the review. I agree that this Harry Winston Ocean Tourbillon Jumping Hour looks "light and airy"., which is at odds with the physical measurements. I am changing my view of Harry Winston watches to a better place. They are not for merely t...
foversta September 6th, 2013-14:16
Thanks Melvyn... and the other positive point is... that we are not talking about Opus watches here! Thanks for your comments! Fx
Crocodile Dandy April 12th, 2016-00:48
And now What about your point of view on Harry Winston watches now ? HDT 7 ? Z10 ? Ladies watches ?
foversta April 12th, 2016-13:33
Honestly, I don't follow a lot the brand... And I tend to not be a great fan of the aesthetic trend. I think they are losing a bit of elegance... Fx
ED209 September 4th, 2013-17:29
+1 on the HW in white gold Thanks for the great report foversta. I love the colors on the white gold version with the bridges and contrasting blued screws. I hope to see one of these in person during my next visit to a HW Boutique, I'm wondering if the minute arrow is easily visibl...
foversta September 6th, 2013-15:06
Thanks Ed for your comments. The red arrow was a point of concern for me but I have to confess that I forgot a bit the time display due to the beauty of the tourbillon! ;) Fx
BABKA July 24th, 2016-15:57
The tourbillon cage looks massive! I like this one in rose gold tremendously. I love the PVD on portions of the movement. Your wrist shots are greatly appreciated and quite nice!
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foversta
My view on the new Harry Winston Midnight Minute Repeater
foversta
The first Midnight Minute Repeater was introduced during the last quarter of 2009. It initiated at the time the Midnight collection which is characterized by the use of a slender case, smaller than the Ocean case (42 vs 44mm) while being more consensual than the Premier case. In other words, the Midnight case is perhaps the one that is the easiest to be worn within the Harry Winston collection from the conmfort and aesthetics points of view. The Midnight Minute Repeater was followed in 2011 by the Automatic ...
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