Nuada Ice Fire

Description

NUADA – A Contemporary Interpretation of the Jump Hour

The Nuada collection is a contemporary reimagining of the jump hour watch, a display concept that emerged during the 1970s as traditional watchmaking responded to the rise of digital timekeeping. Developed over a ten-month period, the project sought to reinterpret this unconventional method of displaying time through a modern design language that prioritizes clarity, balance, and intuitive legibility.

At the heart of the design is a philosophy closely aligned with the Bauhaus principle of “form follows function.” The dial architecture has been reduced to its essential elements: the hour is displayed in a dedicated aperture, while a single central hand indicates the minutes across a sweeping arc. This separation of hours and minutes creates an immediate and highly intuitive reading of time while establishing a distinctive visual identity.

The creative inspiration for the collection originates from Irish mythology and the figure of Nuada Airgetlám, the legendary first king of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Following a devastating injury in battle, Nuada lost his arm and with it his right to rule. Through the craftsmanship of Credne, the divine metalworker, and the healing powers of Dian Cecht, he was given a silver prosthetic arm, restoring both his physical integrity and his position as king. The story embodies themes of renewal, restoration, and transformation.

This narrative became the conceptual foundation for the watch. Just as Nuada’s silver arm restored his status and capabilities, the Nuada timepiece seeks to revitalize the jump hour complication for a contemporary audience. The prominent minute hand serves as the focal point of the display, sweeping across the dial before instantly returning at the end of each hour to begin a new cycle. This dynamic retrograde-like motion evokes the image of a sword returning to its starting position before marking the passage of another hour.

The dial itself is composed of multiple levels, creating depth and architectural structure. The jump hour display occupies the upper section of the dial, while a stylized figure-eight motif provides visual balance below. Depending on the version, the lower display serves either as a weekday indicator or a subsidiary seconds display. Textured steel dials are offered in three colour variations, each paired with a contrasting minute track to enhance readability and visual distinction.

The Nuada collection is available in both quartz and mechanical executions, allowing the same design philosophy to be expressed through different horological approaches.

The quartz version is powered by a Miyota Gearbox movement specifically engineered for jump hour applications. The movement drives a separate jumping hour display, a central minute indication, and a weekday complication. This execution emphasizes precision, reliability, and accessibility while preserving the character of the complication.

The mechanical version is equipped with a customised Swiss ETA 2895-1 automatic calibre. Operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, the movement incorporates 30 jewels, a power reserve of approximately 42 hours, and bi-directional automatic winding. The display combines the jumping hour indication with a central minute hand and a subsidiary seconds register, offering a more traditional mechanical interpretation of the concept.

Both versions are housed in a 40 mm case crafted from 316L stainless steel. The case measures 46 mm lug-to-lug and 12 mm in thickness, including the domed sapphire crystal. The quartz model features a screw-down caseback, while the mechanical version incorporates an exhibition sapphire caseback that reveals the Swiss automatic movement. Each watch is paired with premium suede or calfskin leather straps secured by a polished clasp.

Through the fusion of mythological storytelling, modernist design principles, and an unconventional display architecture, Nuada presents a distinctive interpretation of contemporary watchmaking. It is a watch designed not only to indicate time differently, but also to celebrate the enduring relationship between craftsmanship, innovation, and cultural heritage.

Supplied by the brand to the GPHG for its entry.