An evolution of the first Ulysse Anchor Tourbillon, launched this year and recipient of three consecutive and prestigious awards - the most recent being the Tourbillon Watch Prize from the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève - this new timepiece is a limited edition of 18 pieces in white gold and 18 pieces in rose gold. The 44mm case, water resistant to 30m, is completed with an antireflective sapphire crystal and a sapphire crystal case-back.
Challenging the traditional Swiss anchor escapement, the Ulysse Anchor Tourbillon was eight years in the making and a world first. The in-house movement Caliber UN-178 has 29 jewels, beats at 18’000 and offers a power reserve of minimum 7 days.
Housed in a 60-second tourbillon cage, the watch’s architecture is based on the principle of flexible mechanisms, exploiting the elasticity of flat springs. It presents a constant force escapement made entirely of silicium, and features a circular frame with a pallet fork that moves without friction. The pallet fork is fixed in the center and supported in space on two minuscule blade springs. Mounted perpendicular to each other, they are subjected to a bending force that curves and keeps them in a bi-stable state. The result is a positive energy balance that maintains the oscillations of the balance wheel at a constant rate without motor torque influence.
Enameling is a hallmark of Ulysse Nardin. The blue dial of the Ulysse Anchor Tourbillon is handcrafted in-house at Donzé Cadrans, a member of the Ulysse Nardin group of companies. Cavities are formed in a thick metal surface then filled with moist, powdered, blue enamel and fired until it melts. After cooling, it is sanded by hand by the master enameler to expose its authentic azure radiance.
The watch is fitted with a leather strap equipped with a simple buckle.
