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Ulysse Nardin

Especially given the visible progress in enamel dial making when compared with the old "Zheng He" dial

 

... that was released in the Nineties:





(c) Antiquorum


(c) Ulysse Nardin

Regarding General Zheng, it is astonishing that he was forgotten, or better: ignored by Chinese politics for decades, until being brought back to surface only within the last few years. I think this has to do with the infamous decision (in the late 15th and 16th centuries) of discontinuing the empire-funded establishing of intercontinental seatrade that degraded China to the rank of a coastal, or at best regional seapower. It was not before 2008 that China returned to the seas of Africa, when two destroyers were deployed to the waters of Somailia to fight angainst piracy. This year, 2017, China established its first naval outpost in Africa. So it is not astonishing that general Zhen He attracts new interest as a historical person.

Marcus

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42 Comments view entire thread 

Hi UN PuristS, this champleve enamel dragon was my first step into the...

 
By: GLau : September 10th, 2017-11:54
horological world of enamel dials ! How do you like the dragon with the UN shirt with slanted anchor? Cheers, Gordon ...  

An enamel shirt would have been better LOL 😁

 
By: Alkiro1 : September 10th, 2017-12:35
I hope there's no fight between your dragon and lions in your enamel dial collection 😉 Best wishes Alkiro

Hi Alkiro, great idea on the enamel shirt ! I must suggest it to UN !

 
By: GLau : September 16th, 2017-04:52
The dragon had started complaining long before the first (Chopard) lion's arrival and the birth of the second (Patek Rousseau) lion. His complaint began with the UN enamel snake/serpent watch. I try to maintain a harmonious family, just like what is aspir... 

Yes 5170G, the UN enamel pieces represent pure artistry ! A few months ago, I met in person the enameler of my dial !

 
By: GLau : September 16th, 2017-05:11
Below is the earlier post. These dials now mean so much more to me after having met the artisan. Cheers, Gordon ...  

U.N. has always been a very intriguing brand.

 
By: TheMadDruid : September 10th, 2017-13:40
They do the marine chronometers in all kinds of sizes and metals and complications; then they have the big date watches and dual time watches; and then these enamels, and the jaquemarts which are the epitome of haute horlogerie. All of that in one brand. ... 

Hi Padj, thank you ! The UN dragon is beautiful and ...

 
By: GLau : September 16th, 2017-05:45
fierce ! I will soon post another zodiac animal for comparison. Cheers, Gordon

Yes Mitch ! The blue UN cufflinks would go...

 
By: GLau : September 16th, 2017-05:48
well with the blue background in the dragon dial ! The dragon is calling for your companionship ! LOL ! Cheers, Gordon

Wow!

 
By: Bounce781 : September 10th, 2017-14:25
exquisite craftsmanship to add to your enamel "vault"

Hi Bounce781, actually it was this enamel dragon that...

 
By: GLau : September 16th, 2017-05:51
...started my collection for enamel dials. My humble collection has given me an enormous amount of joy ! Cheers, Gordon

Oh I understand.

 
By: Bounce781 : September 16th, 2017-19:49
This was a glorious piece to start your enamel passion. Glorious piece

I like it!

 
By: M4 : September 10th, 2017-15:05
Here's my UN champlevé dial. They're gorgeous. I love your dragon! M4 ...  

Hi M4, I love the work on your Artemis champleve enamel dial !

 
By: GLau : September 16th, 2017-05:55
When was this watch produced and what is the reference number ? Perhaps we could swap our enamel watches for several months. Cheers, Gordon

Winged dragons are a European tradition ...

 
By: Marcus Hanke : September 11th, 2017-00:59
... I doubt UN would find enough customers here, which is sad. I love dragons, without distinction of their typology. Marcus

Hi Marcus, thanks for the observation and reminder of the lineage of the winged dragons !

 
By: GLau : September 16th, 2017-06:19
Your explanation triggered my question of why European dragons have wings and the Asian ones do not ? I would appreciate getting your thinking on this question. Cheers, Gordon

Maybe because the Asian (or Chinese) dragon mostly is a creature living in water ...

 
By: Marcus Hanke : September 17th, 2017-05:56
... while in European mythology, dragons are often living in mountains. Thus the Asian dragon has more resemblance with the giant serpent of our mythology: However, the three or more pair of legs identifies the Chinese dragon as capable of walking on the ...  

Thanks Gordon and Marcus

 
By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : September 17th, 2017-06:17
there is one UN enamel dial watch that caught my eye The new Admiral Zheng He of the Ming Dynasty piece with the Treasure ship. Majestic and very nice ! And I'm a fan of what Zheng He achieved for our region in Asia Cheers Robin

Especially given the visible progress in enamel dial making when compared with the old "Zheng He" dial

 
By: Marcus Hanke : September 17th, 2017-06:44
... that was released in the Nineties: (c) Antiquorum (c) Ulysse Nardin Regarding General Zheng, it is astonishing that he was forgotten, or better: ignored by Chinese politics for decades, until being brought back to surface only within the last few year...  

Bravo Marcus !

 
By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : September 17th, 2017-07:12
you know your history well ! Admiral Zheng He was also Super important to South East Asia including Malacca and Riau etc For someone like me in Singapore, I am truly fascinated with his accomplishments (as well as his boss the Emperor Yong Le). Indeed the... 

Thanks Russell ! May I ask if you have seen one of these dials in the metal ?

 
By: GLau : September 16th, 2017-06:13
If so, do you think that photos, with proper lighting and angles, can mostly capture the hands-on experience ? Cheers, Gordon

Hi Gordon

 
By: russell996 : September 17th, 2017-03:20
No personal experience of this type of piece, but it looks stunning. Capturing a dial is always difficult but patience and lighting are your friends.