Harry Winston

• cal. OPUS 4 manual winding lever movement, 40 jewels • semi-skeletonised dial, Arabic numerals, apertures revealing one minute tourbillon carriage and repeating work, the reverse with Arabic numerals, inner ring for date, aperture for moon-phases • platinum case, repeating slide to the band, scalloped mobile lugs • with a platinum Harry Winston buckle

Movement running at the time of cataloguing, date and moon phases advancing. The dials and hands in very good condition. The case too in very good condition with very minor surface scuffs, lugs rotating smoothly. The retail price for the Opus 4 was in the region of USD 380,000. The watch has not been tested to determine the accuracy of the time keeping. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and that a service might be required at the buyer's discretion.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

Accompanied by a Harry Winston certificate, booklet and presentation case.

In just a short amount of time Harry Winston wristwatches have imposed themselves as an avant garde pioneer in highly complicated watches.

The Opus series being the perfect example of this. Its concept is simple yet revolutionary. Each year, Harry Winston collaborates with an independent watchmaker giving them an outstanding opportunity to benefit from the recognition of the prestigious brand while it allows Harry Winston to produce superb timepieces using the skills and knowledge of the most brilliant new talents in the industry. With the Opus series, Harry Winston has collaborated with watchmakers such as Francois-Paul Journe, Vianney Halter, Greubel Forsey and, in this instance, Christophe Claret.  

This particular watch, the Opus 4, was produced in 2004 and is one of the most complicated Opus models ever produced. It features a minute repeater with cathedral gongs, a tourbillon, date and moon-phases.  A minute repeater is regarded as one of the most prestigious complications.  A distinction can be made between the "standard" version and the cathedral version. The second one, which is found on only a very few pieces, is characterized by gongs which are twice as long, allowing them to circle the movement twice. The cathedral gongs produce a much richer sound. The quality of the sound is further enhanced by the generous proportions of the 44 mm case, and its thickness, calculated to a hundredth of a millimetre.

Christophe Claret is widely recognised as a master of minute repeaters and it was natural for Harry Winston to collaborate with him on this complication. 

Another striking characteristic of the Opus 4 is the design of the case. It pays tribute to the Premier collection of Harry Winston and, more importantly, it has a fully rotating case. This allows its owner to decide which one of the two dials he would like to admire. The first one displays the time, the tourbillon and the repeating mechanism and the second dial shows the time and date with very large moon-phase indication. 

This remarkable piece has a movement composed of 423 parts with 40 white sapphires replacing the standard red rubies. The Opus 4 was produced in a very limited edition of only 18 pieces.