Uniting the worlds of comic art and horology, the legendary Italian erotic comic book artist, Milo Manara, and esteemed Swiss watchmaker, Ulysse Nardin, come together for a remarkable collaboration.
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Manara’s iconic work, Clicks, they have created a limited edition series of timepieces that blend sensuality, craftsmanship, and innovation.
Milo Manara: A Master of Erotic Artistry
With a career spanning over five decades, Milo Manara has solidified his status as a master of erotic comic art. Born in northern Italy, he underwent classical training as a painter, studying the works of Rubens, Caravaggio, and De Chirico. This foundation allowed him to develop his own distinctive style, resulting in the creation of his seminal work, Clicks, in 1983. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, The Click’s provocative iconography serves as the inspiration for Ulysse Nardin‘s tribute to Manara.
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Ulysse Nardin: Innovators of Haute Horlogerie
Ulysse Nardin, an independent watchmaker with over 150 years of history, is renowned for its expertise in the arts and innovative watchmaking techniques. Nestled in the Swiss Jura mountains, in the town of Le Locle, Ulysse Nardin’s craftsmen carry on the tradition of exquisite miniature painting. This remarkable skill, demanding unparalleled manual dexterity, is utilized to reproduce Manara’s drawings on the timepieces’ dials – a canvas nearly ten times smaller than the original watercolors.
A Partnership Forged in Eternal Eroticism
This collaboration between Ulysse Nardin and Manara is their second venture, following a successful debut in 2019. The new 40mm Classico Manara collection features three distinct timepieces, each showcasing an iconic illustration from The Click. Limited to 40 pieces per design, these watches boast a UN-320 automatic winding movement and Ulysse Nardin’s signature silicon technology, ensuring efficiency and durability. The crown is adorned with red lacquer, a tribute to the infamous remote control featured in Manara’s work. In a subtle yet elegant touch, the watch hands recede to emphasize the illustrations and artistic expression.
Celebrating Art and Timekeeping at Huberty & Breyne
On last April 21 and 22, 2023, Manara and Ulysse Nardin came together at the esteemed Huberty & Breyne gallery in Paris, an international reference for the 9th art. Visitors had the opportunity to admire the collaborative timepieces alongside numerous other pieces from Manara’s The Click. This event not only celebrated the 40th anniversary of Manara’s influential work but also highlighted the exceptional artistry and craftsmanship of Ulysse Nardin’s watchmakers.
The Ulysse Nardin x Milo Manara timepieces are available in limited quantities, with only 40 pieces for each illustration. Priced at $45,750 USD, these exclusive watches offer a unique and luxurious fusion of erotic art and horological mastery, epitomizing the timeless appeal of both Manara’s work and Ulysse Nardin’s craftsmanship.
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