With its new Classico Collection limited-edition enamel cloisonné timepiece, Ulysse Nardin illustrates the ship of Zheng He, the renowned explorer and mariner, who led seven incredible voyages during the early 15th-century Ming Dynasty.
To accurately portray the appearance of the Zheng He Treasure Boat, Ulysse Nardin called upon its enamel specialists Donzé Cadrans for the intricate enamel cloisonné technique so valued by collectors. In this very ancient art form, which dates back to the early 4th century, craftsmen employ fine gold wire to create the compartments, within which the enamel is carefully deposited. Every cloisonné dial involves effort and patience, requiring 50 hours of artisanal expertise and 26 separate processes to bring a scene to vivid life.
These massive ships (or Bao-Chuan) were 137m long and 55m wide, with nine masts and four decks for up to 500 crew as well as cargo. While they were few in number, Zheng He’s voyages covered extensive territory, traveling through Southeast Asia to faraway Africa and Arabia, his was easily the biggest maritime expedition of that time. Between 1405 and 1433, Zheng made a total of seven voyages, visiting 37 countries.
Handcrafted from 18-karat rose gold and powered by the self-winding UN-815 COSC-certified movement, this Classico Collection timepiece boasts the characteristic accuracy of every Ulysse Nardin mechanical watch. It reveals reliability too, with a 42-hour power reserve and a 40mm dial that is water resistant to 50 meters.
