For its 10th edition, the Harry Winston Project Z series evolves towards an increasingly mechanical aesthetic. Project Z10 showcases a double retrograde movement with automatic winding, through an openwork dial, whose skeleton structure reveals its meticulous finishes. Inspired by the Manhattan Bridge, this high-intensity technical design recalls the ambitious work of the early steel era, and the origins of the Project Z series, in terms of the case, strap, dial, display, and movement.

The case of the Project Z10 is carved from a block of ZaliumTM, a unique, ultra- lightweight alloy exclusive to Harry Winston, and is mounted on a Shuriken-marked dual strap that is composed of black rubber and blue alligator leather. The combination of these materials adds to the exclusivity of this exquisite new creation of 42.2 mm.

Sense of structure

At first glance, the Project Z10's dial reveals the intensely mechanical nature of this timepiece. The hours and minutes are off-center, a signature of Harry Winston timepieces and particularly of the Project Z series. The hours and minutes counter consists of a black grid and a black satin-finish chapter ring with rhodium markers. The movement is visible and adorned with a spiral sunray centered on the hour and minute hands.

The frame of the dial features extremely fine openwork and is made of deep blue anodized aluminum, emphasizing the beauty of the metal. Project Z10 is dominated by the striking relationship between the powerful gray of the ZaliumTM and the deep blue of the dial structures.

Mechanics at the forefront

Project Z10 houses its movements in visible parts of the timepiece. From top to bottom, its mechanics, finishes, and shapes are at the forefront of the design. The open structure of the dial plays a genuinely meaningful role, as it houses all of the indications.

The hour is indicated off-center. The HW3305 caliber displays the day of the week at 4 o'clock and seconds, on a scale of 0 to 30, at 8 o'clock. There is something special about these two indications; something that is at the heart of the Project Z's identity: they are both retrograde. The hands travel 120 degrees, instead of making a full revolution. At the end of their journey, they automatically jump back and resume their operation.

Project Z10 intentionally reveals the functional elements that perform these mechanical operations. For example, the gear that directs the second hand, is perfectly visible. The technical nature of this timepiece is more than just a design choice; it is an iconic quality that the Project Z series is known for. The caliber is regulated by a silicon balance spring, which guarantees exceptional long-term precision and stable operation.

Continuity and performance

By embracing the complication, showcasing its components, and affirming its mechanical and metallic core, Project Z10 continues in the remarkable tradition of the Project Z series. Though the line has developed over the past 10 years, it maintains a strong sense of continuity and consistency. The 300 limited edition timepieces are striking and original, in addition to being lightweight and exceptionally comfortable to wear.