The newest member of the Harry Winston’s Project Z series is named Project Z9 and like all other timepieces from Z series it is entirely made in Zalium. This ultra-light zirconium-based alloy is non-allergenic material which makes it exceptionally comfortable to wear. It originates from the aerospace industry and boasts outstanding resistance to corrosion. The first time this unique material appeared in Harry Winston’s creations for 2001.
Besides these outstanding technical properties, Zalium features a unique dark gray shade which makes it perfect for prestige watchmaking. The case of the new model measures 44.2mm in diameter and it is satin-finished on the smooth surfaces, whereas the edges are shot-blasted. The case is protected against the ingress of water up to 100 meters (330 feet).
Harry Winston Project Z9 is powered with the new caliber HW3304 mechanical chronograph movement with a silicon balance-spring which permanently beats at the high-frequency of 36,000 alternations per hour (5 Hz). The precise and reliable mechanism is equipped with a flyback function which offers the wearer to start new timing operation with no need of stopping the chronograph. There is a special pusher placed at the 4 o’clock position which resets all hands at once.
The impeccable mechanism features skeletonized white gold oscillating weight which reveals a signature Harry Winston geometrical motif. The bridges and plates are chamfered, rhodium-plated and encrusted with a circular Côtes de Genève pattern. The new caliber is built on 37 jewels and promises up to 50 hours of power reserve. The movement measures 31.8mm x 6.95mm.
The dial-side architecture comprises of two upper bridges that support the chronograph minute and hour counters which are made in a form of two trapezoids with an inner and outer track, combined with double-headed hands. That means, for example, that in the minutes register 0-15 minutes are displayed on the outer track, and 15-30 are shown on the inner track.
The chronograph sub-dials are colored in blue which is the color that matches the shade of blue-emission Superluminova that has been applied on the hands and indexes to provide perfect legibility in a low lightening conditions. The center of the open-worked 3D dial reveals a part of the movement. There is also an openwork date disk that changes background color based on the time of day – white by day, and blue by night.
Harry Winston Project Z9 is teamed up with a black rubber strap with Clou de Paris hobnail motif. Like all other timepieces from the Project Z series, this newcomer is produced in the limited number of only 300 specimens.
