CIRCA: 2000
CASE MATERIAL: Platinum
DIAMETER: 40mm
Strap:
DIAL: Polychrome cloisonné dial with round white gold indexes
MOVEMENT: Calibre based on ETA 2892A2, 21 jewels
FUNCTIONS: Time
BUCKLE: Ulysse Nardin platinum buckle
WITH: Original Ulysse Nardin Certificate dated February 29, 2000, Certificate of Limited Edition and Chronometer Certificate

The present watch features a stunning polychrome cloisonné enamel dial depicting Algiers, Algeria in 1816. Depicted is the Bombardment of Algiers, a battle led by the British and Dutch to end the slavery practices of Omar Agha, the Dey of Algiers. We can see here the British and Dutch ships surrounding the Dey’s fortress and attempting to siege it with a ball of flame emanating from it. The Bombardment resulted in the freeing of over 3,000 slaves.

Handcrafted in-house, the process of enamel cloisonné is extremely intricate and mastered only by very few. Each section is divided by fine gold wire and it takes more than 500 mm of the wire to make the cloisons. The enamel then has to be ‘cooked’, a process that can easily result in failure given the fragile nature of the enamel which can crack and break. Each cloisonné dial requires 50 hours of artisan expertise and 26 processes to complete.

The enamel painting on this watch is a true work of art, carried by a suitably weighty and substantial platinum case. Being one of just five watches, this is a rare opportunity to acquire a piece of stunning quality and one which depicts a scene of historical importance.