Harry Winston is showing off several of its new creations at the Baselworld 2015 watch and jewellery show including its Midnight Feathers Automatic 42mm, billed as its “latest masculine creation”.

For this watch, the New York jeweller and watchmaker enters a “fascinating and unexpected field of expression, intended for men of character with a distinctive style, ready to make a clean break from monotony”. 

In 2012, the house offered an unusual combination of two ancient art forms: horology and plumasserie with a timepiece adorned with feather marquetry. 

Now, with the Midnight Feathers Automatic 42mm, horological expertise and the animal inspired craft of plumasserie meet again on a rich new canvas, reminiscent of finely textured fabric, like that used in bespoke tailored suits, the house says.

Each remige or flight feather is carefully selected, shaped and then placed under a magnifying glass, so as to ensure optimal precision. The resulting marquetry motif plays on alternating colors that impart a vibrant, dynamic rhythm to the dial. 

Feather artistry is practiced around the world as a visual representation of unity, and symbol of power, virility and valiance – which explains why it is still found in the hats of certain full-dress uniforms. 

Harry Winston’s Midnight Feathers Automatic 42mm takes the feather one step further, placing it firmly in the spotlight. 

The marquetry adorning this horological masterpiece represents a journey to the outermost frontiers of the animal and plant kingdoms. The intense colours evoke amber-tinted vetiver roots, bulrushes and cedar wood, while the rose gold of the case is the perfect complement to the brown alligator strap. These warm, contemporary tones further accentuate the elegance of the timepiece. The slim case features the house’s timeless design, three arches, a tribute to the iconic gates of Harry Winston’s Fifth Avenue salon. 

The transparent case-back reveals the refined finishes of the mechanical movement driving the hours and minutes functions with impeccable precision. 

The skeleton oscillating weight, the circular graining, the parabolic Côtes de Genève and the bevelled bridges all confirm a proud heritage of watchmaking excellence, the house adds.

The new watch is part of the Harry Winston Midnight Collection.

Baselworld 2015 features more than 1,500 brands and runs in Basel, Switzerland, until March 26.