Ulysse Nardin’s innovative materials

Ulysse Nardin was born in 1823, in the picturesque town of Le Locle, Switzerland. From a young age, his passion for crafting timepieces grew and in time he followed the footsteps of his father, Léonard-Frédéric, who allowed his young son to apprentice for him and by the time Ulysse Nardin was 23 years old, he founded his very own company that still bears his name as a globally renowned brand

Today, Ulysse Nardin is dedicated to innovative achievements with the proactive use of new materials, like Silicium and DIAMonSIL. Some of its successful models fall into one of four iconic groups of Marine, Functional, Exceptional and Classico. The ‘Marine’ pays tribute to the brand’s rich history with the sea and includes exquisite timepieces such as the Marine Chronometer Manufacture, Marine Diver and Lady Diver. ‘Functional’ presents the Perpetual Calendar, Dual Time and Sonata, whereas the ‘Exceptional’ showcases the Trilogy of Time series, which catapulted the brand’s comeback, and of course, one cannot forget the Freak, which stunned the Swiss watchmaking industry for its groundbreaking use of Silicium. The ‘Classico’ comprises of timepieces that integrate in-house dials with the rare, centuries-old art of enameling. For the year 2015, Ulysse Nardin has added even more variety to its existing collections, some of which are detailed below, whilst the others are the Marine Perpetual, Classico Kruzenshtern and the Classico Goat.

Ulysse Anchor Tourbillon

The Ulysse Anchor Tourbillon is the latest member to join the Classico collection, and features a 60-seconds tourbillon, whose cage comprises of 35 components but weighs no more than 0.4 grams. Just above the cage, which is positioned at 6 o’clock is an arc that displays the 7 day power reserve indicator. Crafted in a choice of 18K rose or white gold, the watch is a limited edition of 18 pieces and is powered by a caliber UN-178.

Freak Lab

The new edition of the Freak Lab boasts an uncluttered dial and re-centred balance wheel. The original has been modified with a date function at 4 o’clock and incorporates the UlyChoc safety system, a new generation of shock absorbers.  The timepiece is constructed so that the movement turns about its own axis, as connected together at the centre of this unusual ship, the lower deck thus displays the hours, while the upper deck – which carries the gear train, the balance-wheel and balance-spring unit and the exclusive Dual Ulysse silicium escapement – shows the minutes.

Minute Repeater Hannibal

Considered as one of the world’s greatest military commanders, Hannibal crossed the Pyrenees and Alps with an army of soldiers and his secret weapon – elephants, taking triumphant victory in Italy. The Minute Repeater Hannibal pays homage to this journey with a limited edition of 30 timepieces that are crafted in platinum and genuine granite from the Alps. The watch dial features Hannibal, straddling his horse, with his warriors by his side; these main figures are all hand-carved from 18 carat white gold and are mounted on granite.

Stranger Vivaldi

Initially introduced in 2013 as the “Stranger”, the latest 2015 edition features an in-house developed, self-winding movement that performs the Vivaldi melody, Violin Concerto in E. The Stranger Vivaldi features an on/off pusher at the 10 o’clock position, and a traditional crown that is used to set the time and date. The white dial illustrates gold hands that indicate the time, whilst on either side of the seconds counter are the musical on/off indicator and the function indicator that shows if the watch is in ‘winding’ mode or setting ‘time’ and ‘date’ mode.

Hourstriker Oil Pump

This timepiece is the newest addition to the Exceptional Collection and honours the oil industry. Delicately hand-engraved in gold, and enamelled in black, the watch dial depicts the magnitude of oil fields and the harmonic rhythm of their oil pumps at work. Limited to 18 pieces in either rose gold or platinum, the watch’s main feature are the arms of the oil pumps that move up and down in concert with the sound of a gong striking the hours, which can be activated simply by pressing pusher one.

Marine Diver Gold

Powered by a self-winding caliber UN-26, the Marine Diver Gold is equipped with time functions, the date in an aperture at 6 o’clock and a power reserve counter at 12 o’clock. With a choice of a blue or black dial, the watch is emblazoned with the brand logo on a wave-like motif that is housed in a secure case, water resistant to a depth of 300 meters. Crafted in 18 carat gold, the timepiece is completed with a rubber strap that makes this divers watch a reliable instrument.

Lady Diver Starry Night

TheLady Diver Starry Night boasts a unidirectional turning bezel that is detailed with 12 diamonds. The dial is available in a choice of black or white and is further accentuated with diamonds either as hour markers, or sprinkled around the face of the dial. The watch is energised by a self-winding, UN-815 caliber that is housed in an 18 carat rose gold case, complete with 30 diamonds on two tabs between the polished lugs, making it a sophisticated modern day divers watch.

Marine Chronometer Manufacture Ladies

The Marine Chronometer Manufacture Ladies is a fresh take on ladies watches with its pastel shades and a fluted diamond encrusted bezel. The feminine mother-of-pearl dial features baby blue or pink hued Roman hour numerals, where the hands are powered by an Ulysse Nardin 118 caliber, known for its DIAMonSIL escapement and silicon balance spring. Manufactured in a limited edition of 150 pieces in each dial colour, this exceptional marine timepiece is offered with a leather strap stitched in pastel matching the dial.