A tragedy indeed.

Apr 02, 2014,20:00 PM
 

I think the return on investment is an apposite business response, yet in the ultra luxury and moreover in Harry Winston cost was never a primary factor to make deceptions. Let´s also remember that it is also another direct competitor to Breguet. I am afraid what can happen also with the jewelry line, just before de Narp exited for Bally I remember the "lilly cluster" collection which was not in the level of the creations or DNA of the brand -Mr. Winston was not fond with yellow gold for example-. I guess the values and the business model changes with time and with the integration in big groups. Yet this is a double opportunity to make both Swatch Group win in the almost inexistent success of their efforts in the the ultra high end  jewels. And for the independents one competitor less, for collectors more value to the fortunate ones that have an OPUS watch in their collection. But what makes me sad and what I think it is important is that the OPUS Series was a ground breaking project -of course headed by Max Busser -the true pioneers the birth place of concept watches started, this is the life and blood of the industry, where the excellency, invention and true luxury is defined. One of the most important chapters in matchmaking creation -moreover post quartz crisis- is dead, a void I can´t see filled by any brand, least of all in such a coherent, honest and elegant way. Yet as I write this sad words I can´t help to remember all the smiles, expectation and beauty year after year with the OPUS Series. 


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Bad news........

 
 By: Gianko : March 28th, 2014-03:51
.I discovered that this year at Basel there will not be any OPUS 14....and most probably there will never ever be any other OPUS watch ! This is very bad news for the watch world (and for me too!!)...and I really do not understand how the Swatch group can...  

Sad news indeed

 
 By: Mark in Paris : March 28th, 2014-07:43
The OPUS series are significant actors of the watch world: crazy style, crazy mechanics... Hope it won't be confirmed. Cheers.

It's a shame

 
 By: ZachBush : March 28th, 2014-13:57
I was also surprised last year when they said they were going produce 130 of the Opus 13. Cool watch, but I'd be curious to know what the real sales numbers have been thus far. Hopefully they give it another go, it was always interesting to see what they ... 

Thought so. I asked this question back in jan of last

 
 By: Hulk : March 28th, 2014-18:20
Year when the takeover was announced on this forum! Too costly for he return on investment I assume, everything down to number crunchers. For those with an opus I'm sure it will be a sound investment from now on. For me the 12 was just superb, saw it work... 

Good news...

 
 By: ZachBush : March 29th, 2014-07:21
I was just reading that HW confirmed that the Opus line will continue and the next model will be released at a separate event. Whether or not they continue to partner with other watchmakers remains to be seen.

where..

 
 By: Gianko : March 30th, 2014-03:18
did you find this info ? I don't think there will be any others.....anyway the time will tells us whats going on ! Best Giancarlo

A tragedy indeed.

 
 By: Gonzalo : April 2nd, 2014-20:00
I think the return on investment is an apposite business response, yet in the ultra luxury and moreover in Harry Winston cost was never a primary factor to make deceptions. Let´s also remember that it is also another direct competitor to Breguet. I am afr... 

Opus 14 will be presented later this year.

 
 By: foversta : April 13th, 2014-14:55
The question is to know if it would be the last one or not... Fx

My information from HW was that Opus 14 . . .

 
 By: Jack Forster : April 24th, 2014-19:59
would be launched later this year. My hope as with all enthusiasts is that the Opus series will continue. That said, I can only imagine it's an enormous challenge to keep the project going. To do a technically very challenging, aesthetically groundbreakin... 

appalling the big group killing off creativities

 
 By: lien : June 5th, 2014-04:45
with all their resources...

Answers from Harry Winston CEO and SWATCH Chairman

 
 By: MTF : June 10th, 2014-02:40
Gianko, At Baselworld 2014 , Ms Nayla Hayek (SWATCH Group Chairperson) said: "Harry Winston has the potential to generate $1 billion in sales at some point in the future." She also said that all new Harry Winston watches would be powered by in-house movem... 

Wow thanks a lot MTF !

 
 By: Gianko : June 13th, 2014-12:11
If I well understand , the chairwomen left on open eye on the future of OPUS series........or at least I hope so...we all hope to see a brand new OPUS every year as this series is more than iconic among the watch lovers !!! Just wait and let's see whats g... 

Thanks for the update...

 
 By: swjoseph : June 20th, 2014-20:04
But it still sounds like a bad news to me. Owned a Z6 Alarm and seeing myself with a Opus in the future, this is a sad news for! As HW refocus on Jewelry, I doubt movement or mechanical invention will resided in its good old days.