Ulysse Nardin is diving headfirst into the art world with the Classico Renado Liu collection
Ulysse Nardin’s new Classico Renado Liu Makes Waves collection pairs maritime heritage with exquisite miniature artistry in four hand-painted timepieces inspired by the philosophy of the Four Seas.
Marine life is built into the DNA of Ulysse Nardin, but artistic flair… not so much. That’s not to say the brand’s watches aren’t beautiful, quite the opposite, but it isn’t controversial to say that horological exoskeletons aren’t for everybody. The new Classico Renado Liu Makes Waves collection watches, however, are.
The collection pays homage to the sea, from which Ulysse Nardin has always drawn inspiration, with four limited edition miniature painting timepieces designed by Renado Liu. The collaboration is the latest in the Classico series, which has previously reinterpreted the masterpieces of Giuseppe Castiglione and Milo Manara. For the Makes Waves collaboration, Liu painted the original ink artworks, which were then transposed in miniature by Ulysse Nardin’s in-house master painters.
50 hours of work are lovingly poured into painting each dial, representing Ulysse Nardin’s true commitment to expert craftsmanship. The paintings are recalibrated on miniature scale just as the House’s horological technology is calibrated for each piece. The wearer is invited to dive head first into the painting, losing track of time and becoming one with the sea and Ulysse Nardin’s maritime history.
As for Liu’s role in the design process, the artist created four bespoke paintings to reflect the Chinese philosophy of the Four Seas. More than just geographical divisions, the seas form a philosophical cycle for how to navigate life’s immensity.
The pieces are finished with Ulysse Nardin’s signature UN-320 self-winding movement, a rose-gold case and brown alligator leather strap. The watch serves as a reminder not just to make waves in the world, but to dive into it headfirst.
Credits:
Images courtesy of Ulysse Nardin
Words: Cable Writer
