Ulysse Nardin, a brand that produces prestige Swiss watches since 1846, belongs to a handful of watch brands in the world that still nourish old crafts and ancient art forms. The Ulysse Nardin’s Classico collection comprises a number of models with cloisonné enamel dials, which are completely produced in-house. Cloisonné refers to a special technique that implies outlining the dial designs either on the dial itself, or on paper, before filling them with vitreous enamel. The designs are typically being made using very fine gold wires (measuring only 0,07mm in diameter) to form individual cells, which, joined together, form an outline of a design. Each cell is filled with a single color, while the nuances are also made by placing a gold wire within the cell. The cloisonné dial is sealed with five layers of enamel, which means that it undergoes baking process for no less than five times. This particular technique introduces more life, depth, and dimension to the dial, thus making it come to life.
The newest addition to Ulysse Nardin’s Classcio Cloisonné collection is a watch that pays tribute to the Amerigo Vespucci ship, which was built in 1930 and launched a year later. This ship that serves today as a training vessel for the Italian Navy, is named after the celebrated explorer Amerigo Vespucci. The vessel, a full rigged three-masted steel hull with 26 sails, is portrayed in detail on a surface of Ulysse Nardin’s new dial. For each of these amazing dials, the artist needs at least 50 hours of work, more than 500mm of fine gold wire, and no less than 26 different processes.
The Amerigo Vespucci watch is issued in a limited collection of 30 pieces made of 18-karat rose gold (8156-111-2/AV) and white gold (8150-111-2/AV 18ct). Their elegant, round cases measure 40mm in diameter, and they are mounted on genuine leather straps in matching colors – blue for the white gold version, and brown to go with the pink gold case.
The beautiful three-hander features an automatic mechanical movement UN-815, and runs on around 42 hours of power reserve. The watch is COSC-certified as a chronometer, which stands for its outstanding level of accuracy and precision. The movement’s golden oscillating weight can be admired through the see-through case-back, which is made of a sapphire crystal fixed with screws. Thanks to thespecial sealing of the case and its water resistant crown, the Amerigo Vespucci watch can withstand the ingress of water to up to 50 meters.
TAGS: Cloisonne, Enamel, Exhibition Case Back, Leather, Limited Edition, Mechanical Watches, Men's Watches, Power Reserve, Rose Gold, Sapphire Crystal, Selfwinding Watches, Swiss Made, Water Resistant, White Gold