This year’s Ulysse Nardin Classico collection showcases the beauty of enamel painting, but unlike others, Ulysse Nardin employs the most traditional fired enamel technique. Every detail on the dial is naturally formed by melting different metallic oxides at high temperatures, making each watch truly unique.
This year’s piece, “Pride of Baltimore”, is inspired by the 1812 war between the United States and Great Britain, marking the first foreign war after America’s independence. At the time, Britain possessed the world’s strongest naval power, but to compensate for the small size of the US Navy, President James Madison authorized private ship owners to become privateers, attacking British merchant ships.
In the brutal conflict, even though the British occupied Washington, the US Navy won most one-on-one battles at sea, and privateer ships destroyed over 1,700 British merchant vessels. Meanwhile, the fast Baltimore clipper ship broke through the British blockade and brought weapons and cannons back to the US.
The Classico this year pays tribute to the most famous Baltimore clipper, the “Chasseur”, which played a pivotal role in the war, serving as a symbol of American resistance.
Ulysse Nardin’s commitment to enamel art goes back to the 1980s and culminated in the acquisition of the Donze Cadrans enamel dial factory in 2011, securing this artisan skill.
Only through this exceptional enamel technique could the details of the “Pride of Baltimore” ship be so vividly depicted as it sails across the sea. The process requires mixing different metal oxides to create various colors and tones, including opaque, transparent, and semi-transparent shades. Each color section is distinctly separated by gold lines to prevent enamel powder from flowing into adjacent sections. The production process takes over 50 hours and involves 26 steps to complete a single painted enamel dial.
In essence, this watch is a pure work of art.
Ulysse Nardin Classico Pride of Baltimore Enamel Watch
18K white gold/rose gold case, 40mm diameter, enamel painted dial, sapphire crystal front and back, UN-815 automatic movement, Swiss Official Chronometer certification, 42-hour power reserve, 50m water resistance, crocodile leather strap. Limited to 30 pieces.
