Redefining time
Ulysse Nardin, Urwerk and Amida take a unique approach to timekeeping and design
Ulysse Nardin Blast (Amoureuxpeintre)
Ulysse Nardin, known for its boundary-pushing creations like the groundbreaking Freak, has once again partnered with a visionary to redefine watch design.
Famously unconventional, it has now teamed up with fashion designer Amoureuxpeintre to forge a stunning new aesthetic language.
The result is the Ulysse Nardin Blast (Amoureuxpeintre), a unique timepiece that sparks conversation – a dialogue between horological innovation and artistic minimalism.
Amoureuxpeintre’s minimalist vision guided the meticulous reimagining of every element of the Skeleton X; and the watch is a captivating blend of transparency and blurriness that transforms how we perceive time.
By stripping away dial elements, Ulysse Nardin achieved a design that seamlessly integrates minimalism, functionality and readability.
Amoureuxpeintre’s focus on hidden meanings and understated expression has imbued this timepiece with exceptional depth.
A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU
Friday, 2 pm
Lifestyle
Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself.
The 42mm anthracite titanium case houses the intricate Calibre UN-371, a testament to Ulysse Nardin’s technical mastery.
But the centrepiece is the dial which truly captivates: a frosted, blurred sapphire canvas offering a tantalising glimpse into the movement within.
This “window of deconstruction”, the product of a painstaking two-year development process, echoes Ulysse Nardin’s own history of deconstructing traditional watchmaking.
The muted palette, from the anthracite hands to the grey Alcantara strap, exudes understated elegance to complete this mysterious package.
The Ulysse Nardin Blast (Amoureuxpeintre) retails for S$47,900 and is available from The Hour Glass.
Urwerk UR-100V “Hunter Green”
Urwerk’s new UR-100V “Hunter Green” boasts a unique ash-green hue – a sophisticated metallic shade with a distinctly British feel that graces the full-titanium construction, from case to bracelet.
Co-founders Martin Frei and Felix Baumgartner describe the colour as “living”, interacting dynamically with light and time.
The meticulously crafted ash-green finish evokes an antique patina, blending industrial and organic aesthetics.
Instead of traditional hands, the UR-100V features wandering hour satellites that glide across an arc, marking minutes in a captivating mechanical dance.
This 17th-century clock-inspired technology is reimagined for the modern era; and a new hour satellite appears every 60 minutes, continuing the hypnotic display.
The UR-100V transcends traditional timekeeping, connecting the wearer to the cosmos.
Two counters track Earth’s journey through space: one displays the 555 km covered by Earth’s rotation every 20 minutes, the other the 35,740 km Earth travels in its orbit around the Sun during the same period.
The UR-100V “Hunter Green” is a new chapter in Urwerk’s exploration of time, space and haute horlogerie, and is available exclusively at The Hour Glass for S$95,000.
Amida Digitrend
The Amida Digitrend, an iconic 70s “casquette” watch, is back and turning heads once again after being nominated for the “Petite Aiguille” prize at the prestigious Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve 2024.
Its unique case design and innovative way of displaying time caused a stir during its debut in 1976.
The Digitrend made a comeback in 2024 when two young watchmaking entrepreneurs, Matthieu Allegre and Clement Meynier, decided to revive the Amida brand.
Following the launch of the steel “Take-off Edition” last November, two other new variants have also been introduced into the market – the sleek Digitrend Black Edition, entirely clad in black DLC-coated steel, exudes modern cool; and the vintage-looking Digitrend Gold Edition that sports a 4N gold PVD finish.
These timepieces revive the spirit of the original 1976 Digitrend, a driver’s watch inspired by sports cars of the era.
Its unique “LED-style” display, achieved through a sapphire prism and patented LRD (Light Reflecting Display) system, showcases jumping hours and minutes laterally, mimicking a car’s dashboard.
The refined 39.8mm case, crafted from 316L stainless steel, houses a Soprod Newton automatic movement with a 44-hour power reserve, visible through a redesigned case back.
Prices start from CHF 2,900 (S$4,334) for the Steel Edition to CHF 3,500 for the Gold Edition (excluding VAT). The watches are available to purchase from www.amida-watches.com and at select retailers worldwide.
Copyright SPH Media. All rights reserved.
