Project Z is Harry Winston’s distinct approach to the luxury-sports. Named after Zalium, a zirconium-aluminium alloy that’s strong, light and resistant to corrosion, Project Z usually combines the exotic alloy with an open-worked dial. The new Project Z14 sticks to the established formula, but in a first for the line, features a retrograde seconds.

Initial thoughts

At a glance, the Project Z14 would not be remiss among the previous Project Z watches, looking futuristic and avant-garde just like its siblings. Notably, it shares the same sculpted, brushed case and a multi-layered dial accented with the signature Harry Winston shade of blue.

The oversized crown guard with triple fluting is inspired by the arch above the doorway to Harry Winston’s flagship store on New York’s 5th Avenue

The enhanced sense of depth and structure is what sets the Project Z14 apart from its predecessors. A small tweak that makes for this significant difference is the chamfered bezel, replacing the flat and smooth found on the past offerings. Providing more angles and facets to a case that is already architectural in style, the chamfered bezel blends in perfectly with the various bevels on the case and lugs.

With such a modern design, it is no surprise that the case is large – 42.2 mm in diameter and 10.7 mm tall – and suited to contemporary tastes.

The openwork dial

The visual depth is compounded by the attractive, open-worked dial that boasts a multitude of details. The grid-motif sub-dial for the time and the radial Côtes de Genève on the base plate all add to the visual intricacy. But the monochromatic, metallic look is also broken up by blue accents on the time display and seconds. And the watch is equipped with a fabric-covered rubber strap with a “racing” stripe to complement the dial.

A first for the Project Z, the seconds is a 30-second retrograde display, meaning it jumps back to zero twice a minute. It’s driven by a snail-shaped cam and return spring that propels the red seconds hand to an instantaneous return to zero every half minute.

The complication is driven by the HW2022, an automatic movement with a silicon hairspring that is evolved from a Frederic Piguet base calibre.

The 120-degree retrograde seconds is indicated on a blue-tinted sapphire scale

Key facts and price

Harry Winston Project Z14
Ref. OCEARS42ZZ001

Diameter: 42.2 mm
Height: 10.7 mm
Material: Zalium
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: HW2202
Functions: Hours, minutes and retrograde seconds
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 65 hours

Strap: Rubber

Limited edition: 300 pieces
Availability: From September 2020 at boutiques
Price: 26,000 Swiss francs; or 38,500 Singapore dollars

For more information, visit Harrywinston.com.