The Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) is an opportunity for Swiss watch brands to really showcase their products, and Ulysse Nardin have really set the benchmark high by releasing three new classic watches for the event. There is the Classico Manufacture with a Grand Feu enamel dial, the Classico Rooster that donors the turn of the Chinese New Year – Year of the Rooster and the Classico Hourstriker that chimes the hours and half-hours.

The Ulysse Classico Manufacture Reference 3203-136-2/E3 – sports a elegant ‘grand feu’ blue enamel dial. ‘Grand feu’ is French for ‘great fire’ and implies the specific technique of the preparing of this particular enamel dial.

Ulysse Nardin have described this watch as having a “translucid quality” and given Ulysse Nardin’s mastery and reputation within the industry we expect this watch to really be something special. Enamel dials are considered to be exceptionally special because of colour does not fade, meaning the vibrancy of the dial will certainly stand the test of time.

 

“Grand Feu” comes in a 40mm stainless steel case and is water resistant up to 30 meters. The case thickness is just 9.6mm, making this watch an excellent example for dressier occasions. The watch is powered by the in-house Caliber UN-320, a self-winding mechanical movement developed and manufactured by Ulysse Nardin.

A few top Swiss watch brands have taken the opportunity to celebrate the Chinese New Year by bringing out a new watch. This year Ulysse Nardin have released the Classico Rooster, celebrating the turn of the Year of the Rooster. The watch comes in a 40mm 18k rose gold case and features a stunning intricate hand crafted dial featuring an enamel rooster. It is said that the rooster is crafted using the champlevé technique, a technique of carving pits and then adding enamel on top.

This stunning watch not only looks great but is also considered a precious timepiece. The piece is limited to just 88 pieces worldwide. The watch is powered by Ulysse Nardin’s own self-winding Claiber UN-815, which is COSC-certfied. The watch is water resistant up to 50 meters.

The third and final release has to be our favourite. We have the Ulysse Nardin Hourstiker Pin-Up. The Hourstriker has certainly a reputation of being somewhat provocative and erotic – for example the NSFW Hourstriker Erotica Jarretiere). This particular watch is somewhat more toned down.

 

The watch features a dancer with two peacocks. When the Hourstriker function is activated, the peacock’s wings will sweep to reveal the naked dancer behind.

The dial is brought to life by using acrylic paint that is applied and mixed directly onto the dial. According to officials at Ulysse Nardin, each dancer takes around 50 to 90 hours to complete.

The watch comes in a 43mm 18k rose gold or platinum case and is water resistant at 30 meters. The Ulysse Narrdin movement is the self-winding Caliber UN-610, which provides 42 hours of power reserve and has the hour striking mechanism that chimes the hours and half-hours. These pieces are limited to just 28 pieces worldwide, making them extremely rare and virtually impossible to find.