Tough Art

The new Project Z14 is indestructibly brilliant like a Harry Winston diamond

Alvin Wong

For the 14th consecutive year since the debut of the Project Z collection, Harry Winston has continued to entice and surprise with a creation that is decidedly distinct from the rest of its repertoire that typically brims with extravagant baubles and brilliance.

The Project Z watches set themselves apart through both spirit and form. Core to the collection is the material Zalium, a proprietary alloy comprising primarily zirconium and aluminium, that’s known for its ultra-hardiness. Emanating a unique tone that’s several shades lighter that gun-metal, Zalium is rated to be tougher than titanium but extremely light. It is also notoriously hard to machine – one cannot simply stamp out a case from Zalium, but instead, needs to fastidiously machine it from an ingot.