When Sun Tzu wrote The Art of War, it is unlikely he ever imagined the title of his masterpiece being so accurately objectified by a watch, much less a whole range! The Ulysse Nardin Hannibal Minute Repeater Westminster Carillon Jaquemarts is a crazy beautiful depiction of an army journeying to war. It is the latest in a series of Ulysse Nardin’s Exceptional watches to feature a military figure from the past. We’ve already seen Genghis Khan and Alexander the Great, so what is it about blending art and war that seems to strike such a chord with collectors?

There are some who will no doubt object to the association of “Art” and “War,” choosing to see one as exclusively beautiful and one as inherently horrific. But as uncomfortable as it may be, it is arguable that both can be what we think of the other. It could even be said they are linked on an intrinsic level: in war we fight for life; art helps us understand and appreciate the spoils.