Introducing: The Harry Winston Project Z9, A Flyback Self-Winding Chronograph Cased In Proprietary Zalium Alloy

Harry Winston's Project Z timepieces have been part of the company's watch offerings since 2004. At that time, Ron Winston was still very much a part of the company, and the first Project Z watch reflected his interest in the aerospace industry, and metallurgy. Zalium, a zirconium-aluminum alloy, is very hard, strong, and highly resistant to corrosion, although it's difficult to machine, and in general, Harry Winston has held it in reserve over the last 15 years for special projects. Since 2004, there have been nine Project Z timepieces – limited series, with complications – with the last, Project Z8, in 2014. That was a self-winding, dual-time wristwatch with a retrograde second time-zone hand. The newest, Z9, has just been announced, and combines a Zalium alloy case with a self-winding chronograph movement, as well as the sculptural architecture characteristic of the Project Z series as a whole.

The 44.2 mm case has a combination of shot-blasted and satin-finished surfaces (typical of the Project Z series) and has a high frequency movement, beating at 36,000 vph (the same as the Zenith El Primero). Movement dimensions are 31.8 mm x 6.95 mm, and the balance spring is silicon. The dial-side architecture consists of two upper bridges that support the chronograph minute and hour registers; these are in the form of two trapezoids with an inner track and outer track, combined with double-headed hands (so, for instance, in the minutes register 0-15 minutes are shown on the outer track, and 15-30 on the inner).

Below, a second grid frames the date window, as well as the "shuriken" style rotating function indicator (another regular feature of Project Z watches). This new addition to the Project Z family, and to the Ocean Collection (the case has a water resistance rating of 100 meters) will be a limited edition of 100 pieces, priced at $23,000. Check it out at Harry Winston online.

Project Z9 by Harry Winston: Zalium-alloy cased, 44.2 mm x 13.2 mm, 100 m water resistant with sapphire crystals front and back. Movement, caliber HW33034, 36,000 vph flyback chronograph with 30 minute and 12 hour registers, with date. Openworked dial; black rubber hobnail pattern strap with Zalium buckle.

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