Ulysse Nardin Watches

Ulysse Nardin is one of the few visionary watchmakers who made Horology what it’s today. He is the father to the renowned Ulysse Nardin SA which came to borrow his name in 1846. At the time, he was just a 23-year-old teen, thus I don’t believe he could ever name his creation otherwise. Although the Swiss watchmaker was acquired by the Kering Group in 2014, its name was already recognized in the marketplace, thus was retained.

In the mid-1800s, Ulysse Nardin was already shining on the seas through the navigational timepieces in both civil and military realms. At the time, marine chronometers were on great demand and visionary Nardin was always desiring to assist in its solution. After his desire and efforts came to thrive, by the 1870s more than 50 military navies and shipping companies were using Ulysse Nardin marine deck chronometers. Around the same period, the founder’s son- Paul-David Nardin was even awarded a Gold Medal for the marine and pocket chronometers.

At the start of the 19th Century, Ulysse Nardin designers, together with Paul-David marked the timeline with scaled precision on their pocket chronometers. They equipped 9 of them with tourbillon escapements to enhance their accuracy and overall functionality greater.

Although Ulysse Nardin SA has a very high ranking for quality and ultra-modern wristwatches, the exact date of its first watch is not yet clear. However, in 1916 the brand introduced smaller 13” movements which are perfect for both pocket and wristwatches. Also, in 2017 Ulysse Nardin introduced a classic divers’ watch from the 1960s that most people have started to forget it, despite its good history. Just as the original Diver, the new Diver Le Locle comes with a black profile, knurled unidirectional rotating bezel, and luminescent sword-shaped hands. The water resistance, however, has been downgraded to 100 meters to distinguish it from rest of divers’ watches like the Diver 42 mm.

After the Quartz crisis of the 1970s-1980s, the Ulysse Nardin Company was one of the Swiss watchmakers affected by it. To restore the brilliant reputation of the brand which was now drowning, entrepreneur Rolf Schnyder acquired it in 1983. Through the help of Ludwig Oechslin from Ochs und Junior AG, the new management facilitated the launch of Astrolabium Galileo Galilei watch in 1985. Following its intricate complications, the astronomical watch not only beguiled watch enthusiasts but even the watchers of Guinness Book of records in 1989.

After the global recognition in the Guinness Book in February, Ulysse Nardin SA released the first minute-repeating wristwatch with jaquemarts. As a limited edition and in a precious design of gold and platinum, the San Marco model didn’t even stay for long in the market.

In 1996, Ulysse Nardin was to celebrate its 150th anniversary since establishment in 1846. To commemorate the day, the brand introduced the Marine Chronometer 1846 and the Perpetual Ludwig wristwatch. The latter was named after its creator Ludwig Oechslin, while the former was to bring the Marine Chronometer on the wrist.

Just as their oceanic navigational counterparts, the Marine wristwatches have showcased remarkable success and of now, the collection has about 8 different watch series. Though you will not find it in the brand’s chronicles, Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine series has shone the brand’s chronometer history brilliantly for several years. Introduced first in 2007, the encompassed watches came in either rose gold or stainless steel case which houses a sunburst dial with thick Roman numerals.

In 2008, Ulysse Nardin presented another limited edition of the Maxi Marine, though different from the previous release. Known as Ulysse Nardin Blue Seal Maxi Marine Chronograph, the timepiece was limited to only 1, 846 pieces in stainless steel. For the fans of golden gold brilliance, Ulysse Nardin Blue Seal Maxi Marine Chronograph was available in Rose gold as well.

As a brand that cherishes an innovative beginning, Ulysse Nardin Watch Company started the 21st century with a new watch collection, Freak. Extraordinary and with an avant-garde design, the timepiece has got no true case, hands or crown. To know of the time, you have to forget of the other timepieces you have ever used as Freak uses its movement to indicate time. In 2002, the watch even won the Watch of the Year prize, topping to the other over 4,300 awards of the brand.

Literally, the Freak collection has been like a testing ground for Ulysse Nardin. After the completion of the diamond Dual Ulysse Escapement in 2005, the Swiss watchmaker fitted it to a Freak model, Freak 28'800 V/h Diamond Heart. In 2015, another escapement- Dual Ulysse Silicium was introduced to a new Freak Lab series.

In 2016, Ulysse Nardin SA was not only celebrating its 170th Anniversary but over a dozen milestones which it has accomplished throughout the years. The year was the 15th birthday of the Freak Collection and 20th for the iconic Marine Chronometer which debuted in 1996. For the latter, the Ulysse presented the Marine Chronograph Annual Calendar which ticks with the newly-released caliber UN-153.

As a brand that is evolving along with the immeasurable speed of technological advancements, Ulysse Nardin Company has been creating new innovations progressively. The Swiss-born watchmaker has over 4000 awards from its technological developments and innovations. Thus, I still have got more to share with you.