Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XVIII

1 8 5 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I U lysse Nardin has been steaming ahead, anchored in seafaring roots, for nearly 170 years. Forever inventive and innovative, the manufacturer remains steadfast in its pioneering precision of fusing bold innovation with undeniable style. Breaking new boundaries remains embedded in the Ulysse Nardin culture, often expressed through superb technical achievements and the proactive use of new materials, like Silicium and DIAMonSIL. Its many models, including its most iconic works, are represented within a four-pillar system for simple navigation: Marine, Functional, Exceptional and Classico. And it is on these four pillars that the entire collection is developed and created with outstanding skill and craftsmanship. In this beautiful and striking timepiece, Ulysse Nardin brings history to life with a motif that represents Hannibal’s epic march over the Pyrenees and the Alps by elephant, in the 3rd century B.C. In this latest creation, the central character is portrayed on horseback in the centre of the image, surrounded loyal warriors riding the iconic elephants. The sublime characters are sculpted in white gold, as are the landscapes and the mountains in the background. The entire scene is set on a dial in genuine Alpine granite, which is a true test of the finest craftsmen’s skills, and places the wearer of the watch at the heart of the exploit accomplished not only by Hannibal but also by Ulysse Nardin, one of the very few watchmakers anywhere in the world with the ability to incorporate jacks into the dial of its minute-repeater wristwatches. These animated figures move in time to the four chimes that sound the minutes, quarters, hours and any other combination set by the wearer. The spinning tourbillon at 6 o’clock adds a final flourish to this exceptional timepiece, which is produced as a 30-piece limited series. The end result is a striking, graphic watch of epic standing that blends horological quality with a flourishing, historical visual motif. The beauty in the detail is matched only by the subtlety of the presentation. This watch is clearly an item to be revered by the discerning customer tempted into this luxury market.