SimplyAbuDhabi XV

1 1 0 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I T he Hourstriker has been a part of the Ulysse Nardin ‘Exceptional Timepiece Collection’ for nearly 25 years. Now in 2014, the Hourstriker iger marks an evolution of the admired timepiece. For Ulysse Nardin, the idea to incorporate ‘Jaquemarts,’ or animated figures, into its timepieces was derived from the iconic St. Mark’s Clock Tower on the Piazza San Marco, Venice. Since the 15th century, St. Mark’s Clock Tower, with its winged lion of St. Mark and legendary hour strikers, has been a monument to marvel, and is the inspiration behind the Ulysse Nardin San Marco Collection and its Hourstriker timepiece. Drawing from the roots of the original Hourstriker, the Hourstriker Tiger features a completely new case design. Forty-three millimetres in diameter, it features a genuine black onyx dial accented by 18K rose gold. It is reflective of the trend towards classic watch design while remaining modern; its Jaquemarts illustrate this juxtaposition. Classically royal in feeling, the timepiece’s focal point is its two beautifully hand-carved 18K gold tiger figurines that move with the sound of a gong. A sonnerie en passant with a rare automatic movement, the Hourstriker Tiger plays on the hour on demand or can be set to ‘gong’ the time in passing. As it gongs, the tiger Jaquemarts move the precise number of times the hammer hits the gong. Producing mechanisms with a gong is a monumental part of the Ulysse Nardin history. At the end of the 1980s, the gong was combined with the Jaquemart feature, and Ulysse Nardin became one of the earliest manufacturers to fuel the rebirth of the striking mechanism. To this day, Ulysse Nardin remains the only manufacture to use Jaquemarts on the dial. Its minute and hour repeaters cannot be industrialised, making them exceptional examples of high horology. Depending on preference, the striking mechanism can be activated or deactivated by simply pressing pusher one. When the striking indicator is pointing towards the hour glass (on the left), the striking is deactivated; if aimed towards the point, the striking mechanism is activated. Its complex yet fascinating inner workings are well protected and visible through its sapphire crystal case back. It is also water resistant to 30 metres. The new Hourstriker Tiger presents a classic design of regal power and optimal performance for the future. It is a watchmaking masterpiece in the purest – and most original – form. TheUlysseNardinHourstriker Tiger Leaps Forwardwith a NewAesthetic