Ulysse Nardin Commemorate the Year of the Rabbit with New Classico Rabbit

Photo: Ulysse Nardin

In the Chinese astrological calendar, the Rabbit is the 4th symbol and is regarded as the most auspicious sign. In addition to having the meanings of affluence and intellectual kindness, it stands for longevity, serenity, and hope. 

Mao owns the Rabbit as well as the 12 lands, hence the name “Mao Rabbit.” Mao time, one of the 12 hours, is from five to seven o’clock in the morning as the sun rises. The spirit bunny emerged from the nest upon first light, full of strength and hope. The Rabbit sprints to greet spring while the tiger travels to bring vigor. 

Photo: Ulysse Nardin

Athens Watch has produced a new line of exquisitely crafted gold-plated rabbit zodiac pieces to commemorate the start of the Lunar Year of the Rabbit. A duo of spiritual rabbits anticipates the sunrise and the revitalization of the mountains and rivers in this brand-new watch. The collection is, however, restricted to only 88 copies and features a lovely image for the Lunar New Year. 

Photo: Something About Rocks

The dial of New Classico Rabbit skillfully displays the images created by the expert craftsman on the dial using the centuries-old champlevé technique. If you examine the top closely, you’ll notice the imposing light emanating from the exterior and the warm gold hue reflected in the sunlight. Additionally, every mountain features a distinctively sculpted texture, and the flowing green slopes while the cunning Rabbit are both enamel-filled. The two rabbits on the dial also appear to be about to emerge, thanks to the lifelike rendering of the particular fur tone and the whole appearance of the design.

Enameling:

Few artists have mastered the decorative skill of enameling. The industry’s most renowned watchmakers can produce watches with this Métier d’Art. Ulysse Nardin is setting the pace, assisted by Donzé Cadrans, whose in-house factory continues the long-standing legacy of enamel processes. Grand Feu, Champlevé, Cloisonné, and Flinqué are just a few of the enameling techniques used to create these watches. 

Photo: Ulysse Nardin

Every enameling procedure is handmade and demands exceptional skills and accuracy. They are similar but different.

Post: Ulysse Nardin

Since ancient times, enthusiasts have been striving for watches that showcase these procedures because of their complexity, fine precision, lifelike settings, and general magical impact. 

Champlevé Method:

The traditional skill of enamel is only practiced to adorn the most magnificent clocks by a selected few expert artisans. The art and expertise of full enamel are uncommon, and practitioners are much more so. So in order to create champlevé enamel, channels are first cut out of the dial itself and afterward covered with an enamel-mixing solution. Likewise, various metallic oxides are meticulously blended to produce varying hues and tones. 

Photo: Ulysse Nardin

Next, the dial is burnt at high temperatures till the enamel melts and the shade is set, then refined repeatedly. Lastly, a very delicate procedure is conducted: the expert sculptor meticulously carves the metallic contour patterns on the face. This adds more delicate detail and elegance to the design. 

Cloisonné Procedure:

An ancient method has been revived with the cloisonné procedure. It predated the Middle Ages and was widely employed from the fourth century in both the Byzantine Empire as well as the West.

Photo: Ulysse Nardin

Employing a wafer-thin golden wire that is bent and bonded to the backing metal, the cloisonné approach is used to create discrete regions (or segments) that surround the enameled powder and soak it before being fired. Furthermore, each dial can require a maximum of fifteen hours of labor simply to fold the delicate golden wire.

Technical Features:

When it comes to the specs, this New Classico Rabbit is driven by the 42-hour power reserve UN-815 automatic movement. It also has a transparent sapphire case back as well as a black alligator strap featuring a rose gold clasp.

Photo: Ulysse Nardin

Moreover, the watch’s waterproofness rate of up to 50 meters and 5N refined rose gold casing highlights the rabbit pattern beautifully.

Chinese Zodiac / Lunar Calendar:

The Chinese utilize the lunisolar calendar, which allots a creature to every year in contrast to the “conventional” zodiac, which has a symbol for every month. Since the cycle lasts twelve years, the Year of the Rabbit that follows 2023 will be in 2035. Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig are the other eleven signs.

Photo: Ulysse Nardin

Therefore, we can anticipate more timepieces like New Classico Rabbit in the upcoming months since many watchmakers honor the Chinese zodiac using limited-edition designs. It’s also something premium watch companies like Piaget, Chopard, and Vacheron Constantin perform annually. Nevertheless, budget wristwatch manufacturers do so as well.

Chinese Zodiac Origin:

Documents from old bamboo writings that have been discovered provide evidence that the Chinese Zodiac existed before the Qin Dynasty (221 – 207BC). Sometime during or before the Eastern Han Dynasty, the full cycle of the 12 creatures had been established (25 – 220AD). But what is the background of this enigmatic theory, which has been around for over two thousand years? The different views and stories add to the conspiracy even though there is no conclusion.

Some hold that the 28 creatures used to symbolize the 28 groups in prehistoric Chinese astronomy have been simplified into the 12 animals that make up the Chinese zodiac. On the other hand, others claim that the connection between the zodiac and Jupiter’s reform era is approximately 12 years. Nevertheless, the animal worship-related totem phrase is the most well-known.

Photo: Wikipedia

The genesis of the Chinese horoscope is the subject of intriguing mythology. 12 animals were to be chosen by the Jade Emperor to serve as his palace guardians. He preferred the Ox to be in the lead because of its integrity and diligence. But contrary to everyone’s expectations, the cunning Rat sneakily hid on the Ox’s back and took the lead at the crucial time. Hence, the Ox came in second place, while the Tiger (3rd) and Dragon (5th) were given the titles of King of the Forest and Lord of the Sea, respectively. 

Photo: Studyclie

Having competed against the Dragon, the Rabbit came in fourth. Next came the Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, and Rooster. For attacking the pet Rabbit, the Dog was made the final one. However, due to a candidate being delayed for the assessment, the Pig ultimately took the last spot, making the Dog officially the 11th animal.