For 2017, the Swiss watchmaker has introduced a new timepiece to the Classico Collection - a finely executed enameled wristwatch featuring a rooster in a limited series of 88 pieces.

The rooster is probably one of the most punctual timekeepers in the animal kingdom. It’s sound has by now become synonymous with the start of the day. The gregarious creature will get even more attention now that it is 2017, given that this year is the Year of the Rooster according to the Chinese Zodiac.

To commemorate, Ulysse Nardin introduced the “Year of the Rooster” timepiece, which is the most recent addition to its Classico Collection. True to the style of the entire collection, the rooster is depicted classically using the centuries-old champlevé method of enameling.

A rare art form, the technique involves carving cells with a chisel directly on the dial based on a sketch, which are then filled with enamel. The dial is fired until the enamel melts and is then smoothed and polished. As a final step, the artisan delicately chisels all the metal parts on the dial surface.

The watch – which is limited to an edition of only 88 pieces – comes in an 18-karat rose gold case. Similar to other watches of the collection, it is powered by the self-winding UN-815 movement, which also happens to be COSC certified.

Overall, this latest addition is yet another example of Ulysse Nardin’s decades-long expertise in enameling. In fact, the brand remains one of only a few watchmakers devoted to this centuries-old craft today.

Based on the final result, we can safely say that this craft form has been mastered at the Donzé Cadrans works, an in-house member of Ulysse Nardin’s group of companies.

Technical information

• Movement: UN-815, COSC certified
• Power reserve: Approximately 42 hours
• Winding: Self-winding movement
• Functions: H/M/s
• Diameter: 40 mm
• Dial: Enamel champlevé, «Rooster» motif
• Crown: Water-resistant
• Water-resistance: 50 m
• Crystal: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
• Case –back; Open case back with sapphire crystal fixed with screws
• Bracelet: Leather with rose gold tang buckle