Harry Winston Westminster Tourbillon - A Chiming Beauty

The year 2006 witnessed the creation of the Westminster Tourbillon watch by Harry Winston. The special edition timepiece became a wonderful addition to the renowned Ocean collection.

The development of the Westminster Tourbillon marked a highlight in the history of the brand - Harry Winston opened its new watch store in London on July, 2006. The name of the watch suggests the timepiece is provided by two remarkable watchmaking complications - a tourbillon and a minute repeater. What is more noteworthy - the minute repeater sounds the same chimes as the clock tower rising as a part of the Westminster Cathedral.

Chimes of Cathedral Gongs

The Westminster Tourbillon features the case traditional to the ocean collection but modified to become suitable for serving as a resonance chamber. It makes possible for the four cathedral gongs to sound the Westminster chimes. The watchmakers fulfilled a sophisticated task - they needed to create the case with the walls of the right thickness. A millimeter-mistake would have resulted in the wrong transmission of the vibration.

It is important to mention that the resonance of a watch gong is determined by the watch's internal structure. It is not enough for the gong to produce flawless sounds on the workbench. The sound transmission depends on the vibratory characteristics of the applied material. The choice of watchmakers stopped at gold as it provides perfect sound transmission.

A "common" gong circles the movement for just one time, while the Westminster Tourbillon cathedral gong performs it twice. This way the longer resonance is achieved. The gong sounds produced by the minute repeater will no doubt win the hearts of true connoisseurs.

The Westminster Tourbillon timepiece comprises four cathedral gongs corresponding to the four notes of the Westminster chime. The gongs are fixed around the watch's movement and welded to the gong heels. One of the gong heels is directly related to the sapphire crystal at 9 o'clock position. It is necessary for amplifying the sound. This gong heel features a G clef note. When the watch owner triggers the minute repeater mechanism, the four hammers start striking each quarter reminding exactly the chime of the Westminster clock.

To craft the gongs, Harry Winston watchmakers chose Sandvik steel. This material is traditionally applied by master-watchmakers for its advantageous properties - water resistance, suppleness, as well as perfect sound transmission. The gong making represents one more intricate procedure - the watchmaker uses a special tool for drawing out and curving a metal rod. Then the rod is carefully shaped by hand. One important principle of the procedure is to do everything without disturbing the atoms' direction. Every minor mistake may result in destroying the gong's beauty. Consequently, the gong-making is performed only by the most experienced and skillful watchmakers.

A Fine Tourbillon for a Fine Timepiece

It is obvious that such an exceptional timepiece as the Westminster Tourbillon by Harry Winston required a fine tourbillon movement. To equip the watch, Harry Winston developed a flying tourbillon. You are probably aware that this type of tourbillon is not attached to the plate by a bridge the way it is in case of an "ordinary" tourbillon. A flying tourbillon creates a powerful impression - the tourbillon carriage is floating above the plates. The timepiece's watchmakers added one more zest to the construction - a distinctive symbol of the Harry Winston House represented by the diamond placed at the centre of the carriage.

Through the transparent sapphire case back the owner of the Westminster Tourbillon may enjoy viewing the movement's plates and gears. It is also possible to admire the four hammers striking the gongs. The viewer's attention will be caught by a cut-out HW logo embellishing the central bridge featured above the tourbillon. The movement also offers the advantage of a 70-hour power reserve.

The Westminster Tourbillon timepiece presented on the black alligator strap is housed in a nice oak presentation box. The Westminster Flying Tourbillon is to appear in a limited edition of eight 18kt rose gold watches, as well as one gem-set version.