The Watchmaker Who Never Sleeps

Though Harry Winston Is Better Known For Its Jewellery, The House Has Also Been Quietly Making A Name For Itself In The Field Of Horology.

- FARHAN SHAH

FUNNILY ENOUGH, I first came across Harry Winston in a film. During my classic film binge, I arrived at Gentlemen Prefer Blondes from 1953. In an iconic scene, Marilyn Monroe performs the number Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend on stage and, at one point, interjects with "Talk to me, Harry Winston. Tell me all about it!"

Indeed, the jeweller had become a household name by that time, noted for his gem-setting and jewellery crafting prowess. The “King of Diamonds” followed a simple design philosophy: let the rock be the star, rather than its setting. As a result of this ethos, Winston owned and worked on many diamonds, including beauties such as The Deepdene, a 104-carat yellow antique cushion brilliant, and The Idol's Eye, a 70.21-carat Golconda diamond with a blue tinge and a storied history dating back to the 1600s.

There is, however, one diamond that stands out above all the rest: the Hope Diamond. Weighing 45.52 carats when removed from its setting, it has been the subject of superstitious tales of curses and tragedies since the turn of the 20th century. Ironically, these stories and its natural beauty have convinced many to own it, including Winston himself, who bought it in 1949 and donated it to the Smithsonian Institution in 1958, where it remains today.

It's important to understand the founder's fascination and insistence on using the best diamonds as it also guides the company's foray into horology. Harry Winston entered the world of watchmaking in 1989 with The Premier Collection. The timepieces were designed for women and used the dial as a canvas to showcase the brand’s gem-setting expertise.

Its product range has expanded since then. Currently owned by Swatch Group, Harry Winston now has seven regular collections: Premier, Avenue, Emerald, Ocean, High Jewellery Timepieces, Midnight and Histoire du Tourbillon.