Enter the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with Kross Studio! The ostentatious Swiss independent has teamed up with Warner Brothers to deliver a magical timepiece paying tribute to one of Britain’s greatest cultural phenomena.
Pop culture and watches are often at odds with each other. Not because they’re destined to be mutually exclusive, but because when the two collide the result is often a watch that’s, well, an acquired taste.
Let’s be clear: not everyone is going to appreciate a Timex with a Superman logo or a Jacob & Co. that plays the main theme from The Godfather. But the people who do tend to be eclectic, fanatical, or both, and would move heaven and earth to get their hands on such pieces.
This fanaticism can be found everywhere, but perhaps nowhere more clearly than among fans of the Harry Potter franchise. From the mind of J. K. Rowling came one of Britain’s most significant cultural cornerstones, spawning seven main books, eleven films, countless fans – and far too much fanfiction. If your writing can captivate everyone from Barack Obama to Margot Robbie, you can be sure the fans in between are diehards.
So, where do watches come into this? Look no further than Kross Studio, a brand that has spent the past half-decade blending contemporary watchmaking with popular culture. Marco Tedeschi’s brainchild has already partnered with major franchises including Star Wars, Game of Thrones, Transformers, DC Studios and even Warner Brothers’ Space Jam. Now, teaming up once again with Warner, they’re unveiling a line of watches inspired by the world of Harry Potter.
The new set, limited to just ten references, uses the same silhouette as Kross Studio’s standard Central Tourbillon line. This is by no means a modest timepiece, coming in at 42 mm wide with a gargantuan 55 mm lug-to-lug. The 19.8 mm thickness amplifies the presence even further, making the watch an intimidating wear.
However, the grade 5 titanium case belies the size, as if it had been struck with a Feather-Light Charm. The package also includes an interchangeable set of alligator leather straps in pale brown or black.
The dial of Kross Studio’s tribute is made up of two distinct parts, paying tribute to the Hogwarts clock tower. Constructed in 18k pink gold, it features a black grained opaline finish. The surface is then carefully sandblasted, revealing a golden minute track, numerals and sector markings.
But of course, the main attraction is the central floating tourbillon. At the heart of the dial, this spellbinding complication turns beneath the hands. It isn’t alone, though, as four figures on broomsticks circle the tourbillon in pursuit.
These figures represent four major characters from each Hogwarts house. In green is Draco Malfoy, aristocratic and cold-blooded, standing in for Slytherin; Cho Chang, intelligent and loyal, appears in Ravenclaw blue; Cedric Diggory, dressed in yellow, represents one of the franchise’s most tragic heroes; and Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, is shown in Gryffindor red.
For the unfamiliar, the common thread between these characters is that each served as a Seeker in the magical sport of Quidditch. The Seeker’s role is to catch the Golden Snitch, earning 150 points and ending the game. Crafted in 18k white gold and hand-painted, the four figures circle endlessly around the Kross Studio Central Tourbillon, forever chasing the elusive Snitch.
Given that it’s a central tourbillon, it should come as no surprise that the horology on offer is nothing short of remarkable. Even with fairly high standards for mechanical excellence, I found myself genuinely impressed. In line with their permanent line-up, the Harry Potter Central Tourbillon uses the manually wound calibre KS 7,006. The absence of a crown threw me at first, until I realised something brilliant: the watch is wound from the back.
A feat I’ve rarely seen outside Ulysse Nardin, the movement features an integrated caseback crown for winding and setting the time. Thanks to an oversized mainspring, visible beneath the tourbillon, the watch runs for an impressive five days while beating at a standard 3Hz (21,600VpH). It’s a touch lower than some luxury benchmarks, but let’s be honest – you’re not looking at this piece for the beat rate.
My Thoughts
Harry Potter fans, myself included, have been all but frothing at the mouth over the past year. While I don’t personally agree with the upcoming remake, it will be interesting to see another interpretation of the iconic series for a new generation. Personally, I just hope they handle the final encounter between Potter and He Who Must Not Be Named with more accuracy this time, rather than leaning into the Hollywood blockbuster ending we saw in the last film.
Nerding aside, this month marks a significant moment for us Potterheads. Tom Felton has returned to the stage after fourteen years with his Broadway debut in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and now Kross Studio is honouring the franchise with a release that coincides neatly with the return of one of its most beloved actors.
One thing I didn’t mention is that the watch also comes with a music box that plays the iconic Hedwig’s Theme from the films. A small addition to an already gargantuan CHF 120,000 price tag, but one that collectors will appreciate all the same.
Even without the wizarding connection, the Central Tourbillon from Kross Studio is an architecturally impressive timepiece. Infusing the traditional rules of watchmaking with popular culture is no easy feat, yet time and again this independent brand has managed to pull it off.
Marco Tedeschi and his team approach their designs with a genuine respect for the source material. Because of this, they’re able to draw on the defining characteristics of the franchises they collaborate with without tipping into tackiness. The verdict: a brilliantly designed, expertly engineered watch, that I proudly rate a resounding nine — and three-quarters — out of ten.
Reference: WWHPT25
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 42mm case diameter x 55mm lug-to-lug x 19.8mm thickness
- Case Material: Grade 5 titanium
- Dial: Grained black dial with 18k pink gold accents & 18k white gold painted miniatures of Harry Potter (Red, Gryffindor), Draco Malfoy (Green, Slytherin), Cho Chang (Blue, Ravenclaw) & Cedric Diggory (Yellow, Hufflepuff)
- Movement: Manual wind Cal. KS 7’006 with central tourbillon & integrated rear crown complications
- Power Reserve: 120h (Five days)
- Beat Rate: 3Hz (21,600VpH)
- Water Resistance: 30m (3bar)
- Strap: Interchangeable black or brown alligator strap with titanium pin buckle