The Classico Luna marks Ulysse Nardin’s entry in its new family of watches incorporating a realistic representation of the moonphase. The Classico Luna runs off the new self-winding caliber UN-829, developed with watchmaking luminary Ludwig Oeschlin and based on his moonphase complication developed for the Ulysse Nardin limited edition Moonstruck.
Ulysse Nardin and watchmaking genius Ludwig Oechslin have a long and fruitful relationship that goes back to the 1980’s when Ulysse Nardin debuted the Oeschlin-designed Astrolabium in 1985, the first entry in the Trilogy of Time. Most recently Ulysse Nardin returned the favor by giving Oeschlin the use of Ulysse Nardin in-house caliber UN-118 for his brand Ochs und Junior, which moved into a hip new home. I discuss the partnership and new digs here.
Even though we don’t utilize the moon anymore to track monthly time periods or the pull of the tides, it still is a satellite that mesmerizes. A full moon supposedly draws out werewolves for their monthly rampage and turn normal folk into insane candidates for a mental asylum. Alternately, the moon is thought to be mysterious and romantic, drawing lovers together. Shoot for the moon if you want to achieve greatness, and if you do, you’ll be over the moon with happiness.
While many watches show the glowing orb, none but the Classico Luna can boast an accurate depiction of its angle of illumination as it rotates clockwise around the earth. Its moonphase disc moves around the center of the timepiece once every 12 hours and even changes color to show the wax and wane in the 29.5-day cycle. In typical Oeschlin and Ulysse Nardin fashion, adjustment of the moonphase is simple, done with a quick corrector located in between 5 and 6 o’clock.
In a slim and dressy case, the Classico Luna presents a sleek and elegant dial with straight indices anchored by Roman numerals at 12, 3 and 9 o’clock for the men’s version and diamond indices for the women’s, choices that highlight the orbiting moonphase. A convenient date window rounds out the picture at 6 o’clock. Notice the cool detailing of the sun emblazoned on the hour hand in line with the celestial theme.
Ulysse Nardin makes a model for each of the sexes. The men’s comes in a not too big 40mm case with a silver and black dial design, while the women’s is in a more feminine 35mm size and offers a choice of a diamond bezel and lugs, and mother-of-pearl dial. Both come cased in either stainless steel or 18K gold with the men’s having the option of a stainless or 18K gold bracelet with deployant clasp.
The Classico Luna for men start at $8,500 and go up to $45,000 for the tricked out version with the rose gold bracelet and diamond bezel and lugs. Classico Luna ladies range from $8,900 and top out at $17,800. I like the starting prices for the stainless pieces. You get a cool complication with an in-house movement touched by the genius of Oeschlin that will dress up any wrist.
Since it’s the 4th of July, enjoy the new Omega Captain’s Watch that captures the spirit of the day!