The Saint Marks’ Clock Tower on the Piazza San Marco, Venice, commissioned by Doge Agostino Barbarigo (AD 1486-1501), is an architectural marvel as well as a horology masterpiece. This clock tower incorporates many horology mechanisms which take us to the golden ages of clock tower making.
With its winged lion of St. Mark and its legendary bronze figures striking the bell hourly, the clock tower inspired the manufacture to create its hour striker timepiece. The idea to incorporate animated figures into the timepieces was inspired by the mythical hour strikers of the monumental clock.
Drawing from the roots of the original Hour striker, the Hour striker tiger features an 18 carat rose gold case measuring 43 mm in diameter that incorporates a beautiful black onyx dial. Two meticulously crafted 18 carat gold tiger figurines move with the sound of a gong. A sonnerie en passant with a rare automatic movement, the hour striker tiger plays on the hour on demand or can be set to gong the time passing. As it gongs, the tiger Jaquemarts move the precise number of times the hammer hits the gong.
Depending on preferences, the striking mechanism can be activated or deactivated by simply pressing pusher one. When striking indicator pointing towards the hour glass on the left, the striking is deactivated; if aimed towards the point the striking mechanism is activated. The beautifully crafted movement and its complex parts are visible through the sapphire case back of this timepiece.
With the Hourstriker Tiger timepiece Ulysse Nardin pays tribute to Tiger, the symbol of power & energy.
Technical details
Reference: 6106-130/E2
Movement
Caliber UN 610, self winding
Power reserve: 42 hours
Functions
Hour striker
Striking of hours and half hours
Automatic chime activation system
Animated Jaquemarts in 18 ct gold
Case
18 carat rose gold
Diameter: 43 mm
Water resistance: 30 m
Crystal: antireflective sapphire crystal
Case back: screwed caseback with sapphire crystal
Crown: water resistant
Dial
Black onyx
Strap
Leather strap with folding buckle
