A Colorful, Kaleidoscopic Watches And Pendant Collection From Harry Winston
Inspired by a 30 year old creation, the pieces are one-of-a-kind.
In addition to its famous white diamonds, Harry Winston introduced an array of coloured gemstones in its new high-jewelry collection. These include pink-red spinels, aquamarines, tanzanite, rubellite, pink morganite and blue sapphires. An antique gold and diamond malachite kaleidoscope pendant with malachite from the jeweler's archive served as an inspiration for the piece, which contains a multitude of colored stones beneath a magnifying glass that move when turned, much like a child's toy, but with a higher price tag.
Sotheby's "Magnificent Jewels" collection in Hong Kong recently sold the original piece, dating back to the mid-1990s, for approximately $32,514. A number of one-off designs have been created by the house since, including the 18-karat yellow gold kaleidoscope adorned with diamonds, sapphires and Paraiba tourmalines, which is accompanied by a detachable timepiece. However, this year Harry Winston utilized patterns of colored stones in the form of pendants and delicate jewelry watches as an alternative to the literal approach.
A representative of the house’s collaborative efforts, Nayla Hayek, CEO of Harry Winston, said to Rich Report that the Harry Winston Kaleidoscope Collection represents an extraordinary example of this. Each piece embodies the enduring spirit of the House through a more contemporary, and playful interpretation, from dynamic designs, exceptional colored stones, and expert techniques in gem-setting and craftsmanship.
Through the New York flagship on Fifth Avenue, two pendants of the collection have already been sold to a single collector. These pendants are available in small, medium or large sizes on long chest-length 30 inch chains that you can double up to wear them closer to your neck, but it is not recommended for those who do not wish to scratch the stones.
As Rich Report was able to review some of the collection in person at the Fifth Avenue boutique, I must say that the pictures here do not accurately portray the collection. Using the minimal amount of platinum to set the stones in order to achieve maximum sparkle, each pendant produces a stunning cluster of colors, an effect achieved by setting the stones with the least amount of platinum possible.
In Hayek's opinion, the way in which fine jewelry pendants are set makes them so spectacular. In order to maximize the light returned from each stone, each stone is perfectly arranged in a three-dimensional pattern, without any gaps or spaces, creating a pendant full of brilliance and vibrancy.
A total of eleven watches are included with the pendants, five of which are high-end pieces, and six of which are Premier models. Each dial of the 36mm Premier timepieces reveals a 3D explosion of shapes and patterns of stones set against a mother-of-pearl backdrop, surrounded by a sapphire crystal. A mechanical movement of 18 karat gold is housed in alligator-leather straps and they are complemented by 18 karat gold cases.
It is likely that the high-jewelry watches would be more suitable for a black-tie gala or red-carpet event, since the gems are encircled on the case's exterior. As part of the spiraling patterns of the diamonds, they are set in a variety of colors, including tsavorites, orange sessartites, aquamarines, rubies, blue, pink and yellow sapphires as well as a variety of gems. They are all equipped with quartz movements and come with satin straps that are accented by 29 brilliant-cut diamonds on the clasp.
Several of the pieces can be seen in Harry Winston's New York City boutique at the moment, but they can be purchased upon request.
