Ulysse Nardin reveals exciting novelties at Baselworld 2016
This year, another interesting chapter has been added to the 170 years of history of the renowned Swiss watch brand Ulysse Nardin with its unveiling of highly remarkable host of timepieces that fall under the collections Marine, Diver, Classic, Executive, Freak and Jade
Upon entering its 170th year, the highly distinguished eponymous Swiss watch brand Ulysse Nardin makes a mark as an imaginative futurist, uniting its exploratory nature with its expertise to clear the path for more inventiveness and adding milestone pieces into its core collections. The beholder of six exquisite families of watches and the greatest number of patents in mechanical watchmaking, Ulysse Nardin continues to flow forward, stretching the limits of design, engineering and technology, and, of course, surprising watch enthusiasts around the globe.
Looking back, Ulysse Nardin traces its rich heritage from the picturesque town of Le Locle, Switzerland where the young passionate watchmaker dedicated his years to follow the footsteps of his father, Léonard-Frédéric. In 1846, after working for the precision timepiece expert William DuBois, Ulysse Nardin, who was then 23, founded his very own company that still bears his name as a globally renowned brand.
Over its long history, Ulysse Nardin secured 4,300-plus watchmaking awards, 18 of which are gold medals. Yet, it was in 1983 when things became even more interesting. Rolf W. Schnyder took over the company and joined forces with Dr. Ludwig Oechslin, and they formed a collaboration crowned with monumental achievements.
Today, Ulysse Nardin is dedicated to innovative masterpieces with the proactive use of new materials, like Silicium and DIAMonSIL. In addition to these remarkable technical accomplishments, Ulysse Nardin has launched several fascinating novelties at Baselworld 2016 that fall under its six remarkable collections namely Marine, Diver, Classic, Executive, Freak and Jade.
Grand Deck Marine Tourbillon
Inspired by the high seas, Ulysse Nardin delves into cutting edge technology and innovative mechanisms in its new high-precision craft decked out in a nautical-inspired design.
In a proud nod to its maritime roots, the Grand Deck Marine Tourbillon model incorporates the elements of a ship’s deck to display the time in a creative and original manner. On the dial, hand-crafted wood marquetry evokes a ship’s deck, while the time display is original and creative: A boom pulled by super-strong nanowires indicates the minutes, while the hours are displayed on two concentric disks. The patented device, which is regulated by a second barrel, also incorporates a majestic tourbillon.
This compact example of mechanical ingenuity is housed in a white-gold case measuring 44mm in diameter and water-resistant to 100 meters. Powered by the Manufacture’s Caliber UN-630, a 60-second flying tourbillon with manual-winding movement, the movement contains 469 components and offers optimal precision and a generous power reserve of over 48 hours.
This timepiece is exclusive by nature, available in a limited edition of 18 pieces on an alligator strap with a white gold folding buckle.
FreakWing
To celebrate its partnership with the Artemis Racing team for the 35th America's Cup, Ulysse Nardin has adorned its new FreakWing with the most emblematic features of this high-tech catamaran: The upper bridge for the minutes is inspired by the internal structure of the rigid sail, while the texture of the rotating hours disc evokes the mesh net of the multihull. The bezel and caseback are forged from carbon fibre, an element that is omnipresent in high-level sailing.
Without a dial or hands, it is made in such a manner as to pivot its movement on itself. It offers a highly readable hour and minute display, as well as the date at four o'clock. On the technology side, it features the UlyChoc safety system, a new generation of shock absorbers. Entirely conceived, developed and produced in-house, it replaces three traditional micro-elements with just one made from silicium. This is a true world-first, and is the subject of a patent application.
Cased in black DLC titanium and fitted with a carbon-style strap with yellow stitching, its powerful movement is designed for a power reserve of eight days.
Marine Chronograph Annual Calendar
With the new Marine Chronograph Annual Calendar, Ulysse Nardin has successfully presented a piece that is imbued with the values of simplicity and innovation. Halfway between a perpetual calendar, which doesn't need correcting before the year 2100, and a simple calendar that requires five manual adjustments a year, the annual calendar is mechanically programmed for one year.
It features the UN-153 calibre, entirely manufactured in-house, with the silicium balance-spring that beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour, proof of its extreme precision. Working also as a chronograph, it is a worthy inheritor of the lineage established by the Marine Chronometer Manufacture (2012) and the Marine Chronograph Manufacture (2013) models – bearing the same outstanding classic forms as sailing instruments, including a ribbed bezel, a screw-crown guaranteeing perfect water resistance, a full lug width ensuring admirable stability on the wrist and a generous 43mm diameter case for excellent readability.
Diver Chronograph Hammerhead Shark
Ulysse Nardin celebrates an evolution with the Diver Chronograph Hammerhead Shark, featuring for the first time to the entire Diver collection the self-winding manufacture chronograph caliber UN-150 with silicium escapement and balance spring.
A quintessential marine instrument the Diver Chronograph Hammerhead Shark is presented as a limited edition in both stainless steel (300 pieces) and 18-carat rose gold 5N (99 pieces). Exceptionally nautical in style, both versions sport a deep blue dial with a signature hammerhead shark motif.
Equally, it offers supreme readability and presents ultimate performance backup, water resistance to 300 meters, wrist stability, and ease of time tracking and measurement. Meanwhile, the chronograph gives seafaring adventurers the timekeeping necessities they need – right at their fingertips. A regal red accents the most notable elements on the timepiece’s face, including the luminous indexes, watch hands and even the lone shark.
Classico Schooner America
In August 1851, members of the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) raced the “America” schooner to victory in England’s Royal Yacht Squadron’s 100 Pound Cup. Celebrating the ground breaking engineering of the original “America” that led to this landmark moment in yachting history and showing support of the 35th America’s Cup as an official partner of Team Artemis Racing, Ulysse Nardin introduces Classico America. A limited-edition of 30 pieces, each in 40mm 18-carat white and rose-gold case with enamel cloisonné dial, the Classico America is a winning timekeeper.
Jade
For the first time, the Ulysse Nardin family of high horology unveils its signature timepiece for women: Jade. Uniquely, this special piece does not call for pushing or pulling of the crown in order to set the date and time. A nail-friendly mechanism, it is intended to protect a woman’s manicure, which is made possible by its ‘1-2-3’ caliber; each manipulation is easily made by turning the crown forwards or backwards without any need to pull it out. As well, ladies no longer need to fiddle to adjust the date.
It features a diamond-filled mother-of-pearl dial, which is further accented by a diamond-set bezel and diamond drops and swirls across its face. The theme of curves continues in its time markers, detailed in rich, bold colour, as its stainless steel case reveals strength and confidence.
Now a collection all its own, the Jade assemblage presents endless possibilities for its female clientele, whom Ulysse Nardin is dedicated. Sensual creations meet Ulysse Nardin innovation.
