Ulysse Nardin Celebrates The Year Of The Monkey

Today marks the Chinese New Year, and according to the Chinese zodiac, it is the Year of the Monkey — the playful but witty creature that symbolizes luck and long life. Now, Ulysse Nardin takes the playful spirit of the monkey to new heights with its Year of the Monkey Classico watch — with a monkey depicted in “comic strip” style among palm fronds on the dial.

The design is created via champleve enamel work, wherein the gold on the dial is hand carved and then the individual cells are filled with enamel. For this watch, the brand's artisans turned to a metallic oxide enamel so the palm fronds glisten. The 40mm watch is powered by the self-winding UN-815 COSC-certified chronometer movement. A transparent sapphire case back allows viewing of the meticulously finished caliber. Just 88 pieces in 18-karat rose gold will be made.