Innovation and tradition are united in the Classic collection, in which the fine art of enameling is high-lighted through classically refined styling. The Classico Lady Grand Feu continues to navigate this path and presents four new models.
Ulysse Nardin was instrumental in reviving this almost lost art, integrating enamel specialists Donzé Cadrans into the Ulysse nardin watches website Replica family.
Using a guilloche silver plate gives the enamel a finely rippled appearance which recalls Ulysse Nardin’s profound connection to the sea. Usually white or beige in color, the limited edition dials on the Lady Grand Feu are crafted in an array of delicate hues, and have a translucid quality which requires an even more complex process than is usual for Grand Feu. The enamel powder required to produce such colored dials is limited within the Donze Cadrans reserve. As a result, only a handful of these colored Lady Grand Feu editions are available.
The bridges and plates of the movement are only minimally existent. This leaves the motion and tourbillon with all the silicon escapement and balance spring that the brand is known for, completely visible from the front and back of this watch.The view from the instance back mirrors the dial with the rectangular frame-like bridge supporting the motion. From the front, regions of the movement seem nearly as if suspended in air, and also the little gears are vulnerable and delicate-looking. Plates and bridges do add important structural stability to movements, therefore tourbillons and skeletonized moves such as this are really delicate and, needless to say, probably best stored for doing “executive things,” and not rock climbing or off-road BMXing. After all – that is, in the context of this high-end watch industry – the price of this Ulysse Nardin Executive Skeleton Tourbillon Blue is not outrageous. The Rotonde de Cartier Flying Tourbillon, for example, is similar in a few ways, however, is greater than twice the price tag. For a similarly daring, modern kind of skeletonization and wearing experience from Roger Dubuis’ “entry” Excalibur Automatic Skeleton, again, the price is much higher, and that’s sans tourbillon. The Ulysse Nardin Executive Skeleton Tourbillon Blue looks cool in this colour and size and is priced $38,000. We’ve found that rolling out a ’60s-inspired dive watch in 2017 is a pretty surefire way to turn some heads. However, when Ulysse Nardin, a brand known for complicated regatta timers and Freakish innovations takes the plunge, you truly have to stop, think twice, and take a closer look. For 2017, they’ve introduced the Ulysse Nardin Diver Le Locle view, a straightforward diver having an in-house motion, silicone components, and actual vintage vibes. There is only one question: Can it sink or swim in a sea of dive watches positioned within an exceptionally competitive price bracket? Let us see.
The Classico Lady Grand Feu models come in a shining 37mm white gold case, completed with an anti-reflective sapphire crystal and an engraved case-back. The limited edition Grand Feu dials here are blue, lavender, seafoam green or pewter grey, and have chic matching straps with white gold tang buckle.
The watches house the self-winding UN-815 movement, with 42-hour power reserve and hour/minute/second functions.
