Ulysse Nardin has introduced the Classico Rendao Liu Make Waves collection, a four-watch Métiers d’Art series that turns contemporary ink seascapes into hand-painted miniature dials.
The release is a notable change of tempo for a manufacture more commonly associated with marine chronometers, silicon escapements and the disruptive legacy of the Freak.
Four Seascapes by Rendao Liu
The collection is built around four compositions by Chinese contemporary artist Rendao Liu: Zhi Yin, Miao Yin, Xuan Qu and You Ya.
Each work is centred on the sea, with surging water, dark landforms and a sense of movement that suits a brand whose identity has long been tied to navigation.
Rather than printing the artworks, Ulysse Nardin’s in-house micro-painters recreate the ink compositions by hand at dial scale, with each dial requiring around 50 hours of work.
A Rose-Gold Classico Case for the Artwork
All four watches use a 40mm case in 5N rose gold, giving the pieces a warm frame without pulling attention away from the miniature painting.
The Classico format is a sensible choice here: slim, restrained and traditional enough to let the dial carry the emotional weight of the watch.
Water resistance is rated to 30 metres, and each model is paired with a dark brown alligator leather strap.
The UN-320 Inside
Inside is the Ulysse Nardin calibre UN-320, an automatic manufacture movement running at 28,800 vibrations per hour with a 48-hour power reserve.
The watch keeps the display simple with hours, minutes and seconds, which is exactly what this kind of dial needs.
Even in a comparatively understated calibre, Ulysse Nardin includes a silicon escapement, a material area in which the brand played an important role and one that helps reduce friction while improving resistance to magnetism.
Limited Availability and Pricing
Each of the four designs is limited to 25 pieces, making the full Classico Rendao Liu Make Waves collection a 100-watch series.
Pricing is CNY 450,000, approximately £48,600, with availability through Ulysse Nardin boutiques in China and Geneva, as well as by special request internationally.
For collectors who usually look to houses such as Jaeger-LeCoultre or Vacheron Constantin for artistic watchmaking, this collection is a reminder that Ulysse Nardin’s marine identity can also translate beautifully into hand-crafted dial work.
