Milo Manara, legendary Italian artist and writer of erotic comic books, and the independent watchmaking Manufacture Ulysse Nardin, renowned for its know-how in rare crafts, are joining forces to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the artist’s famous masterpiece, “Click!”

Born in northern Italy, Manara has been a graphic illustrator and scriptwriter for over 50 years. A classically trained painter, he studied the works of Rubens, Caravaggio and De Chirico, before establishing his own style and becoming the master of realistic comic books of an erotic nature. “Click!”, one of Manara’s most famous works launched in 1983, celebrates its 40^th anniversary this year and its iconography has inspired Ulysse Nardin in his tribute to the artist.

Following a first collaboration between Ulysse Nardin and Manara on the theme of eternal eroticism in 2019, this second series of three timepieces marks the continuation of this special relationship, revealing three reproductions of iconic and historic illustrations from the erotic comic book “Click!”.

Manara and Ulysse Nardin celebrated this event last 21^st and 22^nd of April 2023 at the famous Huberty & Breyne art gallery in Paris, an international reference of the 9^th art in the comic book world. As well as many illustrations from the work displayed in the art gallery, visitors discovered the 150-year-old watchmaking art of miniature painting. At the heart of the Swiss Jura mountains, in the town of Le Locle, the artisans at Ulysse Nardin Manufacture perpetuate this exceptional rare craft that requires incomparable manual dexterity. Hundreds of hours of painting are needed to accurately reproduce Manara’s illustrations in miniature on the watch dials, whose surface area is almost ten times smaller than the original illustrations.

This new 40-mm Classico Manara collection, presented in a limited edition of 40 pieces for each illustration, features an UN-320 self-winding Manufacture movement and incorporates the silicon technology that Ulysse Nardin has mastered for two decades, and which guarantees operational efficiency and durability. The crown of this new limited edition is adorned with red lacquer, paying tribute to the button on the famous erotic remote control illustrated in Manara’s “Click!”. The hands are discreet, to give pride of place to the illustrations and artistic expression.

Ulysse Nardin is the independent Manufacture producing advanced timepieces for explorers in pursuit of freedom.

Founded by Mr. Ulysse Nardin in 1846, the company owes its reputation to its links with the sea: its onboard marine chronometers are among the most award-winning and reliable ever designed.

A pioneer in innovative technologies and the use of high-tech materials such as silicium, Ulysse Nardin is one of the few integrated manufactures with the in-house expertise to produce its own high-precision components and movements. In 2001, the Maison changed the face of contemporary watchmaking by launching the first Freak.

Today, in the Swiss towns of Le Locle and La Chaux-de-Fonds, Ulysse Nardin remains devoted to its quest for watchmaking perfection in four collections: Freak, Blast, Diver and Marine.

As of 2022, Ulysse Nardin and sister Maison Girard-Perregaux have formed an independent collective of high horology Manufactures.

References	:	3203-136LE-9A-MANARAD/1A 3203-136LE-9B-MANARAD/1A 3203-136LE-9C-MANARAD/1A
Limited	:	40 pieces for each illustration
Movement	:	UN-320 Manufacture calibre Automatic movement Balance spring, escapement wheel and pallet fork in silicon
Frequency	:	4 Hz / Oscillations 28,800 V/H
Components	:	227
Jewels	:	39

Case	:	Polished stainless-steel
Diameter	:	40 mm
Case-back	:	Stainless-steel open sapphire
Crown	:	Red-lacquered
Water resistance	:	30 m
Dial	:	Artistic crafts: micro-painting technique Rhodium-plated hands with Superluminova
Bracelet	:	Black alligator leather strap
Clasp	:	Stainless steel pin buckle
Prices	:	CHF 39,000 incl. tax • EUR 41,455 incl. 20% tax