Ulysse Nardin is celebrating their 175th anniversary of a long line of Marine Collection chronometers, a collection filled with history and Maison’s Haute Horlogerie savoir-faire and techniques. The brand released the Marine Torpilleur model back in 2017, which today is the watch that showcases Ulysse Nardin’s innovative and far-thinking creativity.
In celebrating this momentous anniversary, Ulysse Nardin is adding several watches to the Marine Torpilluer collection that feature two brand new movements, enameled dials, chronograph models, and other complications. All the models released as a part of this new Marine Torpilleur collection will be limited edition and be produced in varying quantities. Every single one of these limited edition pieces will bear the signature “Chronometry since 1846” at the 6 o’clock position.
These new models are released at Geneva Watch Days which is held at the Swiss capital of watchmaking. The Marine Torpilluer collection represents the brand’s maverick mentality and their never-ending quest for excellence and high precision timepieces.
Marine Torpilleur Blue Enamel – $16,000.00 AUD
This 42mm timepiece is created from the delicate art form of enameling. Ulysse Nardin has done the enameling in-house to create this beautiful blue dial. The brand can do the enamel work in-house thanks to their acquisition of the Donze Cadrans back in 2011, which is an independent enameling workshop. From that point forward, Ulysse Nardin has been able to improve on this intricate art technique.
The Marine Torpilleur Blue Enamel takes design codes from the traditional Marine Chronometers that Ulysse Nardin used to produce. The roman numerals and cathedral-style hands are all indications of past designs. The watch features a power reserve indicator at the 12 o’clock position and a large sub-counter for the constant second’s indicator at 6 o’clock.
The movement powering this model is the Caliber UN-118 Manufacture. Ulysse Nardin with this movement can give out a power reserve of approximately 60 hours while being operational at a frequency of 28, 800 VpH (4hz). The timepiece is offered in either a blue or brown alligator leather strap. Extra strap options, which are available for all of the models in the Marine Torpilluer collection, include a metal bracelet, rubber strap, or R-strap. While the brown breaks up the colours somewhat, the blue strap is certainly what compliments this watch the best. Ulysse Nardin is limiting the production of the Marine Torpilleur Blue Enamel to just 175 pieces.
Marine Torpilleur Panda – $11,450.00 AUD
The Marine Torpilleur Panda is the first time that Ulysse Nardin is using a panda-style design on their watch dials. The Marine Torpilleur Panda has a varnished white dial with two blue sub-counters making up the panda dial design. The watch is exactly similar in features and appearance to the Marine Torpilleur Blue Enamel, with the exception being of course the colour codes used.
The top blue counter is the 12 o’clock power reserve, while the large bottom blue counter is the constant seconds. The movement used for this model is the same as the Marine Torpilleur Blue Enamel, the UN-118, which offers 60 hours of power reserve.
The Marine Torpilleur Panda is offered in the same strap options as its blue counter-part with the choice of either a blue or brown alligator leather strap. The Marine Torpilleur Panda will be limited to a production of 300 pieces.
Marine Torpilleur Annual Chronograph 44mm – $16,850.00 AUD
The Marine Torpilleur Annual Chronograph 44mm comes in two different dial colour variants; varnished white or matte blue dial. This particular model is a reference back to the Ulysse Nardin Chronograph Marine Torpilleur pocket watches that were produced between 1936 – 1980. Using design codes from these earlier models, the Marine Torpilleur Annual Chronograph has been given a fresh take with modern touches. The 44mm models feature roman hour indices, along with cathedral hands.
The two sub counters are the small seconds at 3 o’clock and the annual calendar at the 9 o’clock mark. The hands are done with contrasting colours so the dial readability is kept easy and clean. The blue dial has gold-like hands for the minute and sub-counters, while the white dial features blue hands.
The movement used for the Marine Torpilleur Annual Chronograph 44mm is the Un-153 Manufacture movement, which is an upgrade from Ulysse Nardin’s UN-150 movement. The movement has a frequency of 28,800 VpH and a power reserve of approximately 52 hours. Like the previous models in the Marine Torpilluer collection, the watches are offered standard in either blue or brown alligator leather straps. Both the white dial and blue dial variants will be limited to 300 pieces each.
Marine Torpilleur Moonphase – $13,800.00 AUD
Ulysse Nardin has been creating moon phase watches since the late 19th century. The Marine Torpilleur Moonphase is the latest edition with this complication and comes in two dial colour options. Astronomical complications play a part in Ulysse Nardin’s history, as the different phases of the moon can control the tides, which in turn affects the navigation of the vessel. Ulysse Nardin’s timepieces in the early 19th century were used as a helping hand for the navigation of vessels, so having these complications allowed astral navigation to comprehend the Ocean’s movements to the best of human ability.
The Marine Torpilleur Moonphase is available in either a blue sun-brushed PVD dial or a white varnished dial. The timepieces feature two counters; a power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock and a small seconds with the moon phase complication at the 6 o’clock position. Much like the previous models in the collection, the hour markers are Roman numerals, while the hands and cathedral design.
The movement used inside is the Marine Torpilleur Moonphase is Maison’s own calibre UN-119 Manufacture movement. The movement has a frequency of 28, 800 VpH and has a power reserve of approximately 60 hours. Both the blue dial and white dial variants are offered in a choice of blue or brown leather. Both the blue dial and white dial variants are limited to a production of 300 models each.
Marine Torpilleur Tourbillon Grand Feu – $67,200.00 AUD
Like the moon phase and other astral complications, Ulysse Nardin has quite a history with tourbillon watches too. The tourbillon complication helps Ulysse Nardin’s quest for ultimate precision, by removing the effects of Earth’s gravity on the movement. The Marine Torpilleur Tourbillon Grand Feu features a 42mm rose gold case with an open sapphire case back upon which the movement can be seen. The black “Grand Feu” dial created by Donze Cadrans acts as the perfect contrast to the white roman hour indices and rose gold cathedral hands. The dial features a power reserve indicator at the 12 o’clock position and the tourbillon escapement at the 6 o’clock position.
The movement is the calibre UN-128 Constant Manufacture automatic movement. The movement operates at a frequency of 18, 000 VpH (2.5hz) and gives out a power reserve of approximately 60 hours. This calibre Un-128 features the flying tourbillon which is the patented UN Constant Escapement Tourbillon that won the Tourbillon Watch Price at the annual 2015 (Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève) award ceremony. The Marine Torpilleur Tourbillon Grand Feu is offered in a matching black alligator leather strap which helps to perfectly accentuate the features of the dial. The Marine Torpilleur Tourbillon Grand Feu is limited to a production of 175 models.
