The legendary Opus collection was initiated in 2001, when the company released the first masterpiece from this line of watches. Harry Winston Rare Timepieces under the direction of Maximillian Büsser closely cooperated with the greatest watchmaker, the "King of Time" – François-Paul Journe, who initiated the magnificent Opus concept. Francois-Paul Journe has met with the great approval of the connoisseurs of watchmaking in a very short period of time due to his unique ideas. Besides, almost all of men's and women's wrist watches, designed by this experienced watchmaker, are made by hand. In 1978, at age of 21, Journe made his first great tourbillon, in 1985 – the Planetary watch, and in 1987 – the Sympathique pendulum. It should be mentioned, that Abraham-Louis Breguet, the great creator of a tourbillon, has always been Journe's idol. And Journe is constantly improving his skills, striving for the incredible accuracy of his watches. In 1999, François-Paul Journe's Swiss watch company presented the unique "watch sensations." This is a tourbillon with the transmission of motive power system with equal winding, as well as the resonance chronometer, that is powered by two mutually independent movements. Opus 1 is the unique masterpiece by unique François-Paul Journe. The gifted watchmaker focused all his energy and skill on the physical phenomenon of resonance, to create Harry Winston watch. Resonance is the phenomenon of the system to oscillate at a larger amplitude at some frequencies than at others. So, even the small periodic driving forces can produce large amplitude oscilliations, because the system stores vibrational energy. We can say, that having created Opus 1, François-Paul Journe actually created three different models, each of them is represented by six exemplars: Opus with the 120-hour power reserve, Opus – Resonance Chronometer, and Opus with a unique tourbillon. So, the total number of Opus 1 watches is 18 timepieces only. The first Opus 1 model has the tourbillon, characterized by the constant-force remontoir. In other words, this is a radically new watch "transmission" or a scheme of energy transfer through the watch wheels to the winding mechanism of the tourbillon. Every second the remontoir "reloads" the four-armed balance with additional weights. Opus 1, characterized by the 120-hour power reserve, is equipped with the free-sprung balance, four adjusting weights, in-line lever escapement and the 15-tooth escape-wheel. And finally, the Opus 1 Resonance Chronometer is equipped with two independent movements, operating in the in-sync state due to the resonance. Such a movement ensures the high accuracy, that Journe has always aimed at. The movements of a hand have no influence on the process of work of the watch. There is the two time zones indication on the dial of the watch by the Swiss watchmaker. Opus 1 is the unique masterpiece, presented by François-Paul Journe, made of 950 PT platinum. Two models are encrusted with diamonds, according to the unique tradition of Harry Winston company. The case diameter is 38 mm, the timepiece has a transparent back and the power reserve indication. The strap is made of crocodile leather with the platinum buckle. After the Opus No. 1 "publication", François-Paul Journe said in one of his interviews: "It's a great honor for me to collaborate with the great Harry Winston, I got the valuable experience. And people, who obtain this Opus, receive the combination of the highest technology and finest jewelry”. The creator of this masterpiece describe his watch in the following words: “This is a watch with a strong character. The one word to describe this Opus is “adventure”. |