I agree that the early Harry Winston Opus watches were about the 'first breath' -- spiritus primus -- of Harry Winston celebrating the watchmaker's work.
Hence the Opus 1 was about FP Journe's Resonance movement but Harry Winston was still showcased.
Opus 2 was about Preziuso's 'Art of Fine Timepieces'. Opus 2 set out to embody the essence of Harry Winston -- beauty, luxury, Fifth Avenue, Divine inspiration moving human hands -- into a mechanical artform. A timepiece that tells time with form and function. If you have to explain how to tell tthe ime, it probably is too complicated.
Later Opus watches became show-off pieces about the watchmaker and how 'clever' they could appear to twist ways of telling time. Many people 'oooh-ed and aah-ed' about the technical 'brilliance' of digital displays (Opus 3) and rotating cube satellites (Opus 5) that showcased the watchmaker but forgot about the spiritus primus .
People are easily mesmerised by the flash-bang-wallop and shiny lights.
Some Opus models were difficult to use as time-telling pieces (Opus 7) and others thumbed a nose at rich people before the economic crisis of 2008/9 (Opus 8 and 9).
The Opus 2 is not only the precious one but also the forgotten spiritus primus of Harry Winston.
Regards,
MTF
This message has been edited by MTF on 2011-09-12 15:20:25