"Opus is the story of a sequence of creative encounters, of separate and timely associations between Harry Winston and likeminded visionaries committed to writing significant chapters in watchmaking history. An array of some of the world’s most talented and creative independent watchmakers – Francois-Paul Journe (Opus 1, in 2001), Antoine Preziuso (Opus Two, in 2002), Vianney Halter (Opus 3, in 2003) and Christophe Claret (Opus 4, in 2004) – have thus placed their joint signature on some simply incredible timepieces. This year, the company has enjoyed the immense pleasure of cooperating with Felix Baumgartner in creating Opus 5.

Harry Winston and Felix Baumgartner : passion as the keynote
As he eloquently demonstrates through his creativity and his technical mastery, Felix Baumgartner embodies the new generation of Haute Horlogerie. Exactly like the watch he has created in partnership with Harry Winston. This gifted master-watchmaker was born in Schaffhausen and settled in Geneva in 1995 at the age of 21, subsequently creating his own watch brand – Urwerk Genève. Baumgartner made such a strong impression on Maximilian Büsser, Managing Director of Harry Winston Rare Timepieces that the latter suggested he work on the Opus concept. Together, the two of them soon imagined a complication for the hour display that had never been seen anywhere before.

A totally new vision of time
Opus 5 was destined to dazzle. First of all, by its world-first “satellite hour” display consisting of 3 small blocks, each carrying 4 numerals, arranged like satellites on a three-dimensional rotating system, and which show the time while spinning around two axes. And secondly by its “service indicator”, another intriguing world première. Graduated from 0 to 5 years and placed on the back of the watch, it is designed to inform the wearer when the watch will require periodic maintenance." [Via opus5.ch]