From the creation of marine chronometers in the 19th century, to its pioneering use of silicon in watchmaking, Ulysse Nardin has always set itself apart by the quality of its innovative watches. At Baselworld 2016 the company unveiled a range of new products. Here are those inspired by its maritime heritage.
All aboard
Ulysse Nardin has launched two new timepieces to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its iconic Marine collection.
The Grand Deck Marine Tourbillon, inspired by sailing boats, is without doubt the most spectacular of the new designs Ulysse Nardin presented at Baselworld 2016. The watch has a strikingly unusual display; in place of the usual hands, a boom – the horizontal spar to which the main sail is attached – points to the minutes along a graduated strip, while the jumping hour is read off two discs. As well as being visually fascinating, it is a complex technical feat. Combined with a 60-second flying tourbillon, this patented system works using wires made from an ultra-strong technical fibre called Dyneema®, which is used in racing yachts. The 44 mm white gold case encloses the UN-630 manufacture movement. Despite its power-hungry boom display, the manually wound movement has a generous power reserve of more than 48 hours. The dial of the Grand Deck Marine Tourbillon reflects the refined aesthetic of a racing yacht. Made of wood marquetry, it brings to mind a weathered teak deck. The watch is available in a limited edition of just 18 pieces.
Another watch unveiled at Baselworld is the easy-to-use Marine Chronograph Annual Calendar. At the heart of the watch is the automatic UN-118 calibre, made entirely in-house, including the silicon balance spring and escapement. This particularly refined movement allows the wearer to adjust the time and date in both directions, and also features a chronograph function. As well as the central hours, minutes and running seconds hands, it has a 30-minute register at 3 o’clock and the chronograph hour dial at 6 o’clock. The third sub-dial at 9 o’clock displays small seconds and months, and the date appears in an aperture at 6 o’clock. The Marine Chronograph Annual Calendar borrows from the classic codes of marine instruments: a fluted bezel, screw-down crown for complete water resistance, solid lugs to ensure excellent stability on the wrist and a generous 43 mm stainless steel case.
Steering a course for independence
The new Diver Chronograph Hammerhead Shark is equipped with the automatic in-house chronograph calibre UN-150 with silicon escapement and balance spring. This movement, which makes its debut in the Diver collection, is a landmark in Ulysse Nardin’s rise as an independent manufacture. With an oversized 44 mm case, 48-hour power reserve, screw-down crown, pushers, solid lugs and unidirectional rotating bezel, it is clearly designed as a functional dive watch. In stainless steel and 18K 5N rose gold, this unapologetically nautical watch is water resistant to 300 metres.
Full sail
Ulysse Nardin confirmed its partnership with Swedish outfit Artemis Racing in 2015, when the team announced its campaign for the 2017 America’s Cup. In addition to the special edition Marine Diver Artemis Racing, the watchmaker unveiled the Classico Schooner America, a tribute to the yacht that gave its name to the America’s Cup. The America is depicted in the centre of the dial, sailing across a choppy ocean, the schooner’s hull slicing through the waves. The scene is created using cloisonné enamel by the master craftsmen of Donzé Cadrans, a member of the Ulysse Nardin group. The case, in either white or red 18K gold, encloses the automatic in-house UN-815 movement. The watch is available in a limited edition of 30.
