The present Ulysse Nardin Jacquemart Minute Repeater takes us back to a glorious period of watchmaking right after the quartz crisis that nearly wiped out the mechanical watch industry. In the 1980s-1990s brands delved into their past to create modern complicated masterpieces, and the present timepiece finds its roots in this golden epoch.
The present timepiece is as much as feast for the eyes as it is for the ears! Not content with creating a wonderful minute repeater cased in an elegant curvaceous case with strong stepped lugs, Ulysse Nardin created a superb enamel flinqué dial (the base is guilloché then enameled) featuring two engraved automatons representing blacksmiths. When the repeater lever is activated the arm of the automaton on the left rises and falls (as if he is hitting the object he is holding with a hammer) to the chimes of the hours, both figures move in synch with the chimes of the quarter hours and the automaton on the right moves with the chimes of the minutes.
It is important to note that not only Ulysse Nardin was one of the very first brands to introduce a Jacquemart minute repeating wristwatch but remains one of the very few who has mastered the complex mastery of automatons. The present timepiece is number 9 of a limited edition of 30 pieces. In excellent condition, fresh to the market and from the original owner it is a true relevant piece of horological history with every detail constructed with meticulous craftsmanship and sophistication.
Please note that the proceeds of the present timepiece will be donated by the consignor to various charities.