Ulysse Nardin Watches

Based in Le Locle in Switzerland since its founding, Ulysse Nardin is one of the greatest names in high-end watchmaking. The brand was established in 1846 by Ulysse Nardin (1823 - 1876) for producing precision marine chronometers. A well-trained and talented watchmaker, Ulysse manufactured chronometers and high-complication watches in his own company. His high-precision marine chronometers and navigational instruments equipped commercial ships and navies throughout the world. Over 50 navies and international shipping companies had been using the marine chronometers produced by Ulysse Nardin. In 1876, Ulysse Nardin passed away, and his son Paul-David Nardin took over the manufacture and perpetuated the horological tradition.

Under the eminent leadership of Paul, the manufacture developed several patented mechanisms and innovations that ensure precision timekeeping. He also won a gold medal at the 1878 Paris Universal Exhibition for his pocket and marine chronometers. In 1935, Ulysse Nardin introduced a split-second pocket chronograph capable to measure tenths of a second.  

In 1975, Switzerland’s Neuchâtel Observatory released its last official publication regarding chronometer performance from 1846 to 1975. According to this official report, Ulysse Nardin obtained 4,324 certificates of performance for mechanical marine chronometers out of a total of 4504 awarded.

In the late 1970s and the early 1980s, the so-called quartz-crisis shook the traditional watchmaking industry in Switzerland. In 1983, visionary Swiss-German businessman Rolf Schnyder took over Ulysse Nardin and revived the great watchmaking tradition that dates back to 1846.

In 1985, Ulysse Nardin unveiled the Astrolabium Galileo Galilei watch. This was the inaugural timepiece of the ‘Trilogy of Time’ collection of astronomical watches envisioned in partnership with visionary watchmaker Ludwig Oechslin. The other creations were the Planetarium Copernicus (1988) and the Tellurium Johannes Kepler (1992). In 1989, Ulysse Nardin San Marco, the first minute-repeating wristwatch integrating a Jaquemart was launched.

In 1996, the company celebrated its 150th anniversary by releasing the Marine Chronometer 1846 and the Perpetual Ludwig. In 1999, Ulysse Nardin introduced the innovative GMT± Perpetual watch. Launched in 2001, the revolutionary timepiece ‘Freak’ was equipped with a 7 day-tourbillon-carousel, a first in watchmaking. In 2003, the incredible mechanical music wristwatch Sonata was unveiled.

In 2005, Ulysse Nardin unveiled two spectacular wristwatches: the Freak 28’800 V/h Diamond Heart and the Royal Blue Tourbillon. In 2006, celebrating its 160th anniversary, the brand launched UN-160, the first self-winding base caliber that is entirely conceived and manufactured in-house. In 2007, the manufacture unveiled the Freak DIAMonSIL®, a new patented Dual Ulysse Escapement utilizing a revolutionary combination of diamond and silicium.

In 2011, Rolf Schnyder passed away. In 2014, French luxury group Kering took over Ulysse Nardin. In 2012, the brand acquired the Swiss artisan enameller Donzé Cadrans SA, a leading specialist in producing enamel dials of high-end watches. In 2013, the manufacture launched five in-house movements enhanced with silicium technology. In 2015, Ulysse Nardin unveiled a new type of shock absorber, called UlyChoc, which was designed, developed and produced entirely in-house.

In 2016, the iconic brand celebrated its 170th anniversary. The year equally marked the 15th anniversary of the revolutionary Freak timepiece and the 20th anniversary of the iconic Marine Chronometer. In 2016, Ulysse Nardin launched the Marine Chronograph Annual Calendar with the new UN-153 caliber and the Marine Tourbillon Grand Deck. The brand introduced the new ‘Freak Out’ collection in 2018. In 2019, Ulysse Nardin launched the Freak X and the Skeleton X watch collections. In 2020, the Maison expanded their Executive line by adding the Blast models.

Marine

This comprehensive line includes nautical-world inspired fine mechanical timepieces. The important timepieces from the Marine series are Torpilleur, Chronometer, Chronometer Annual Calendar, Chronograph, Regatta, Tourbillon, Grand Deck and Mega Yacht. Earlier, this collection was called as ulysse nardin maxi marine.

Made of stainless steel or 18-carat gold, Marine Torpilleur 42 mm models display hour, minutes, small seconds, power-reserve and date. Powering these timepieces is Caliber UN-118, the in-house self-winding movement endowed with the patented DIAMonSIL escapement and the patented inertial balance wheel with silicium hairspring. Ulysse Nardin also offers the Marine Torpilleur Military limited edition featuring 44 mm diameter case, made of bronze or stainless steel.

The Marine Chronometer is available in 45mm and 43mm versions, with the choice of stainless steel or 18-carat gold case. Equipped with the in-house UN-118 self-winding movement, these timepieces display hour, minutes, small seconds, power-reserve and date. Dressed in a 43mm case, the Marine Chronometer Annual Calendar watch is equipped with the UN-113 Manufacture self-winding movement. The Marine Chronograph model combines annual calendar and chronograph functions. Equipped with the UN-153 self-winding movement, this ulysse nardin watch is available with a 43mm diameter case, made of stainless steel or 18-carat gold.

Equipped with the UN-155 manufacture self-winding movement, the Marine Marine Regatta 44 mm watch in stainless steel combines chronograph with countdown timer, which is extremely useful during sailing competitions. The Marine Tourbillon 43 mm models display the eye-catching tourbillon complication at 6H and the power reserve at 12H. This timepiece houses the UN-128 Manufacture self-winding movement inside the stainless steel case.

Introduced in 2016, the manual-wound Marine Grand Deck 44 mm watch incorporates a 60 seconds flying tourbillon at 6H, Jumping hour display and a boom indicator for minutes. Powered by the manual-winding UN-631 caliber, the Marine Mega Yacht 44 mm displays a flying tourbillon at 6H, Patent pending Power reserve indicator with an anchor and windlass linked to the winding mechanism, Moon phase and Tidal indicator.

Depending upon the model, water resistances of the Ulysse Nardin Marine watches can be 50, 100 or 200 meters.

Diver 

The Diver collection has been known for its highly functional, robust, sporty and technical watches. Dedicated to ocean explorers and adventurers, the ulysse nardin watches are equipped with mechanical self-winding movements. The range starts with the entry level models featuring 42mm diameter stainless steel case. Equipped with UN 816 movement, these timepieces display hour, minute, seconds and date. The Diver 42mm variants are available with a leather or fabric strap or with a stainless steel bracelet. Next in the lineup is the Diver Chronometer 44 mm, which houses the UN-118 manufacture movement. Available in titanium or titanium with 18-carat rose gold case, Diver Chronometer models display hour, minute, small seconds and power reserve. The newly inducted DiverX 44mm limited editions feature titanium case, UN-118 caliber and rubber/fabric straps.

Equipped with UN-150 manufacture movement, the Diver Chronograph features 44mm diameter case in stainless steel, titanium or 18-carat gold. For women, the brand offers two case sizes: 39mm and 40mm. The Lady Diver 39mm model houses UN 816 calibre whereas 40mm versions are equipped with UN 320 manufacture movement. Available in stainless steel or 18 carat rose gold case, the Lady Diver line also offers diamond set versions. All the above-mentioned Diver models have water resistance up to 300 meters.

The collection additionally includes a Diver Deep model, which has an incredible water resistance of 1,000 meters. Featuring a 46mm diameter case and powered by the UN 320 calibre, this professional diving watch incorporates a removable titanium guard on the crown at 2 o’clock and a helium release valve at 9 o’clock.

Freak 

The Freak collection by Ulysse Nardin has been known for innovative mechanical watches that incorporate cutting edge technology, world-premiere design features and time-honored horological expertise. The Freak watch does not feature crown, dial and hands; instead, it incorporates a Carrousel Tourbillon displaying hours and minutes. Presently, the ulysse nardin freak line offers new generation models like Freak X 43mm, Freak Vision 45mm and Freak Out 45mm. Dressed in titanium case, these models are respectively equipped with the UN-230 self-winding, the UN-250 self-winding and the UN-205 manual-wound movements.

Executive

This comprehensive collection from the House of Ulysse Nardin offers contemporary styled mechanical wristwatches. Presently, the Executive line is comprised of models like Dual Time 42mm & 43mm, Skeleton Tourbillon 45mm, Skeleton X 42mm & 43mm, Skeleton X Sparkling, Blast 45mm, Tourbillon Free Wheel 44mm and Moonstruck 46mm.

Ulysse Nardin offers exceptional skeleton watches from the Executive family. They feature almost similar design features, inspired by the world of architecture. Made of titanium or gold, the Skeleton X models are equipped with the UN-371 manufacture mechanical hand-wound movement. The Skeleton X Sparkling variants are adorned with diamonds.

The Skeleton Tourbillon 45mm is endowed with a manual-winding flying tourbillon movement, the Calibre 171. Blast is the first Ulysse Nardin skeleton timepiece to feature an automatic tourbillon movement and platinum micro-rotor. Equipped with the UN-172 manufacture self-winding movement, this timepiece boasts a complex architecture encased in 45mm diameter case made of titanium, titanium with ceramic or 18 carat rose/white gold.

These skeleton watches are water resistant up to 50 meters. Made of sapphire crystal, both dial-side and rear-side glasses allow the owner to admire the intricate mechanisms.

The Executive Dual Time watch displays addition time zone functions with a patented indicator of the Home Time, situated at the nine o’clock marker. Equipped with UN-24 self-winding movement, this timepiece is available in 42mm and 43mm versions, with case made of stainless steel or 18-carat gold. The second time-zone function can be quickly changed by simply pressing the pushers. The watch also has a date window at two o’clock and small seconds at six o’clock. The 42mm and 43mm versions have water resistances of 50 meters and 100 meters respectively.

Made of 18-carat white or rose gold, the Tourbillon Free Wheel 44mm is an exclusive limited edition manual wound mechanical watch. Its boasts a captivating dial design that offers floating like view of uniquely positioned horological mechanisms, including tourbillon bridges and the 7-day power reserve indicator of the Free Wheel. This watch is fitted with sapphire crystals and has 30 meters water resistance.

The Executive collection also includes Moonstruck Worldtimer, the only watch to depict the movements of the moon and sun in relation to the Earth, as well as a map of the tides. Made of platinum or 18-carat gold, this timepiece incorporates the manual-winding UN-106 manufacture movement. Featuring sapphire crystals, this watch is water resistant to 100 meters.

Classico

The Classico collection is the centre stage to showcase the iconic brand’s classical timepieces, which highlight its traditional expertise in the field of fine horology complications, decorative techniques, gem-setting, dial manufacturing and automata.

The popular watch models are: Classico (31mm and 40mm), Classico Manufacture, Classico Manara, Classico Jade, Dual Time and Lady Dual Time. The high complication watches from this extraordinary collection are Sonata, Perpetual Ludwig, Tourbillon Ulysse Anchor, Hourstriker, Minute Repeater, Grand Bleu and Stranger.

The timepieces like the Classico Manara manufacture highlight the Maison's immense expertise in the miniature painting. Available in 34mm and 37mm versions, the Classico Jade watches are the excellent examples of the brand’s technical know-how in the production of dials using delicate materials like mother-of-pearl.

Ulysse Nardin’s outstanding collections accurately reflect various facets of the long-established watch manufacture, which often breaks the barriers of traditional horology by inventing and re-inventing new concepts and technologies.

The Marine collection pays tribute to the rich history of the Manufacture in the production of high precision marine chronometers. These watches boast nautical-inspired designs along with groundbreaking technology and innovative mechanisms. Dedicated to ocean explorers and aquatics enthusiasts, the Diver watches by Ulysse Nardin have been renowned for their ergonomic design, water resistance and reliability.

The Freak is a technical timepiece collection that highlights the interpretations of the brand’s world-premiere carrousel tourbillon movement. The Executive line offers contemporary styled, technical timepieces. The extensive Classico collection follows the long-established traditions of premium watchmaking.

Since January 2017, Ulysse Nardin has been offering an extended 5 year warranty on all newly purchased watches.