In the Chinese culture, the rabbit is the fourth in the twelve-year cycle of animals and is known to be the luckiest of the twelve animals. This creature symbolizes longevity, peace and hope, and promises prosperity and elegance. This year, Ulysse Nardin marks the 2023 event and celebrates the kind-hearted animal with a new timepiece that embodies the Manufacture’s craftmanship, the Classico Rabbit.
Using the centuries-old champlevé and cloisonné methods of enamelling, the artist’s sketch is brought to life. The Ulysse Nardin Classico Rabbit 40 mm produced in a limited edition series of 88 timepieces is powered by the UN 815 self-winding movement with 42 hours of power reserve. It features a black alligator strap with a rose gold buckle and an open sapphire case back. Water resistant up to 50 meters, the rose gold 5 N polished case sets off the rabbit motif to perfection.
Enamelling
Enamelling is a decorative art mastered by a handful of craftsmen. This métier d’art can only be found on the timepieces of the world’s most prestigious watchmakers. In the lead is Ulysse Nardin with Donzé Cadrans its in-house workshop, where the tradition of enamel techniques is perpetuated over time. The process consists in applying an array of enamelling techniques to its watches, including Grand Feu, Cloisonné, Champlevé and Flinqué. Similar yet distinctive, each enamelling process is handcrafted and requires superior skills and precision. The complexity, exquisite detail, lifelike scenes, and overall magical effect achieved through enamelling are a few reasons why timepieces illustrating these techniques have been highly desired for centuries by collectors.
Champlevé technique
The champlevé technique involves carving directly onto the dial, creating individual “ that are then filled with enamel. The colours come from a careful blending of different metallic oxides. The dial is fired until the enamel melts before being smoothed and polished when cooled down. The final step which is also the most delicate involves enriching the motif by chiselling metal elements onto the surface.
Cloisonné technique
The cloisonné technique is the revival of a very ancient method. Dating before the Middle Ages, it was extensively used during the Byzantine Empire and in the West as early as the 4th century. This method consists of creating compartments using a very thin gold wire to deposit the enamel with utmost precision. Folding alone represents up to 15 working hours per dial.
Ulysse Nardin Special Edition Classico Rabbit Champlevé Enamel Technical Specification
Reference: 8152-111LE-9E-RABBIT/1A – 40’600 CHF, Limited Edition of 88 timepieces
Movement
- Calibre UN 815
- Self-winding movement
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
- 21 rubies
- 4 Hz / 28’800 V/H
- Power reserve: 42 hours
Dial
- Rabbit Champlevé and cloisonné enamel
- Produced by Donzé Cadrans
Case
- Rose gold
- Case back
- Rose gold and open sapphire case back
- Diameter: 40 mm
- Water resistance: 50 m
Strap
- Black alligator strap with rose gold buckle
Ulysse Nardin – Manufacture of Freedom
Ulysse Nardin is the Manufacture inspired by the Ocean, producing freaky timepieces for explorers in pursuit of freedom.
Founded by Mr Ulysse Nardin in 1846 the company owes its reputation to its links with the sea its onboard marine chronometers are among the most award-winning and reliable ever designed.
A pioneer in innovative technologies and the use of high-tech materials such as silicium, Ulysse Nardin is one of the few independent and integrated manufactures with the in-house expertise to produce its own high-precision components and movements.
To underscore its commitment to its favourite environment, Ulysse Nardin is active in supporting the preservation of the Ocean, focusing on two major areas encouraging upcycling to reduce marine plastic pollution and developing scientific knowledge concerning the preservation of the sharks, its emblem.
Today, in the Swiss towns of Le Locle and La Chaux de Fonds, Ulysse Nardin remains devoted to its quest for watchmaking perfection in four collections Marine, Diver, Blast and Freak In 2022 the brand continues to pursue its Vertical Odyssey, voyaging from the abyss to the cosmos with its high flying watches.
As of 2022 Ulysse Nardin and sister Maison Girard Perregaux have formed an independent collective of high-horology Manufactures.