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Ulysse Nardin | Chronometry


Ulysse Nardin introduces a new squadron of seven new Marine Torpilleur models, showcasing the brand’s 175 years of Haute Horlogerie expertise: silicon technology, tourbillon and astronomy legacy, chronograph in-house enamelling and design are the hallmarks of these timepieces.

The Marine Torpilleur model, launched in 2017, vividly embodies Ulysse Nardin’s roots and history, joining the long line of illustrious Marine Collection chronometers of the 19th century when explorers roamed the oceans with their deck chronometers. The watch that today most embodies this innovative and far-thinking creativity is the Marine Torpilleur. To celebrate this momentous 175th anniversary, Ulysse Nardin has widely enlarged its collection of the Marine Torpilleur with two new movements, complications, chronographs, and enameled dials. All the new releases are produced in limited editions.

In 1846, Ulysse Nardin founded the company in Le Locle that bears his name to this day. He and his descendant, Paul-David Nardin, earned a stellar reputation as masters of marine chronometers for navies all over the world. The company won competitions for horological excellence and received commissions for its indispensable navigational tools. It would go on to supply over 50 navies, geodesic institutes and astronomical observatories with its inventions. Ulysse Nardin’s pocket chronometers were among the most coveted ever created – prized by naval officers and merchant captains the world over. That vibrant marine history led to the creation of the iconic Marine Chronometer, the expression of technical performance and sleek design.

The year 2017 saw a new generation chronometer, made for the modern era: the Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur. Named after the small, fast ships of that earlier time, whose agility ensured that they could easily outmanoeuvre bigger ships, this is a timepiece for contemporary explorers. A lighter, thinner version of the iconic Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer, the Marine Torpilleur is made for free-spirited adventurers.

The fleet of Marine Torpilleur, an armada of choices
These precision instruments all bear the codes of historical Marine Chronometers, such as the fluted bezel, Roman numerals and the double counter. Each model, equipped with a silicon escapement, has a distinctive look and its own design, bearing the legacy and codes of the brand’s history. Fitted with an alligator leather strap, they are all compatible with the R-strap, made from recycled fishing nets. Every watch is as distinctive as its wearer and ready to accompany each modern Ulysses on the high seas of their unique voyages through life’s adventures.

Marine Torpilleur Blue Enamel 42mm
Enamelling is a delicate art, one that Ulysse Nardin continues to employ today. One of the new Marine Torpilleur models features a magnificent Ulysse Nardin blue in-house enameled dial (Grand Feu technique). Thanks to the company’s collaboration with Donzé Cadrans, an enamelling workshop based in Le Locle and acquired by the Manufacture in 2011, Ulysse Nardin has been able to constantly innovate and improve on this artisanal technique, which requires over 90% of the process to be done by hand.

Characteristics such as their cathedral hands, Roman numerals and indication of how much longer they will keep ticking before needing to be worn or wound stem directly from the first designs produced by Ulysse Nardin. Endowed with a 60-hour power reserve, these unusual models represent the successful technological improvements made upon the original historical chronometers, which required winding, but were designed to continue accurately counting the seconds ticking by day after day during ocean voyages. This model was issued in a 175-piece limited edition.

Marine Torpilleur Panda 42mm
One of the most striking new models to weigh anchor in 2021 carries with it all the history of Ulysse Nardin’s values of technical exploration and unprecedented precision in marine chronometry. The Marine Torpilleur Panda model, featuring two small dark blue subdials (one indicating the power reserve and the other small seconds and the date) is a design that is unprecedented at Ulysse Nardin.

The varnished Panda dial with rhodium-finished hands bears the inscription “Chronometry since 1846” on the lower subdial displaying the small seconds. The watch is equipped with silicon and DIA-MonSil technology and houses the iconic UN-118 movement. Issued in a limited run of 300, the 42mm diameter Marine Torpilleur Panda comes with a choice of either a brown or blue leather alligator strap, metal bracelet, a rubber strap or an R-Strap.

Marine Torpilleur Annual Chronograph 44mm
First produced from 1936 to 1980, the Chronograph Marine Torpilleur pocket watches of that time featured the ability to display time to the nearest 1/10th of a second. Used during the 1936 Berlin Olympics, this degree of accuracy transformed timekeeping. These chronographs, employed by automobile clubs, geodesic commissions, as well as scientists on expeditions, were delivered with official certification that guaranteed their extreme precision.

The 2021 version includes a varnished white or matt blue dial, and the UN-153 Manufacture movement, which is an evolution of the earlier Calibre UN_150. The white dial is adorned with small silver-toned counters and the annual calendar, which sits at 9 o’clock. The distinctive annual calendar system, based on the one devised by Ludwig Oechslin for Ulysse Nardin’s 1996 perpetual calendar model, has been improved, with all settings adjustable both forward and backward by using the crown, making it easy to set the time and date. This model is issued in two limited series of 300 for each dial variation.

Marine Torpilleur Moonphase 42mm
The Marine Torpilleur Moonphase comes with either a blue or white dial and its use enhances the pleasure of being able to admire the Moon from Earth and its vast seas. The Torpilleur is the French name for a torpedo boat, an attack ship that needed above all to be quick and to fire accurately. Used in combination with a sextant, historical chronometers enabled detailed astral navigation which included following the phases of the moon in order to understand ocean movements to the best of human ability. This Marine Torpilleur Moonphase, issued in a limited edition of 300 and the most recent descendant of an illustrious family, permits modern man to do the same, whether on the deck of his own sailing vessel or simply admiring the seas from afar.

Marine Torpilleur Tourbillon Grand Feu 42mm
At Ulysse Nardin, tourbillon chronometers are derived from an art dating back to the end of the 19th century. The tourbillon contributed to the quest for ultimate precision, its primary function being to compensate for errors due to the effects of Earth’s gravity on a vertically positioned movement. From 1983 onwards, notably under the leadership of Rolf Schnyder who headed the company for over 30 years, Ulysse Nardin has been perpetuating its proud heritage, constantly developing new rotating cages and enriching the long list of its watchmaking accomplishments.

The Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur Tourbillon Grand Feu is at the helm of this new outstanding collection. This rose gold model features a transaprent sapphire caseback and a fluted bezel. The black Grand Feu enamel dial by Donzé Cadrans proudly displays the power reserve at 12 o’clock, while the time is indicated by rose gold hands. A black alligator strap sets the finishing touch to this mechanical gem, which can also be paired with a rubber strap or an R-Strap. The rose gold folding clasp enables easy fastening of this highly functional timepiece, while the Calibre UN-128 Manufacture-made automatic movement operates the flying tourbillon, another highlight of the Marine Torpilleur. This tourbillon with its patented constant escapement enabled Ulysse Nardin to win the Tourbillon Watch Prize in 2015 at the annual GPHG (Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève) award ceremony and is one of the special features of this stellar model. Water-resistant to 50m, the stunning 42mm-diameter case of this 175-piece limited edition houses 208 components and 36 jewels.

Published on 2021-10-22