Editor’s note: Until we can get our hands-on these new beauties for a detailed review, here’s a sneak peek into the unique world where the chant of the day is “Chronometry since 1846”. Here’s our Gut Reaction Review (Grr…) of the new Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur Chronometry Collection. For our standard detailed hands-on reviews, please head to our dedicated reviews section here.
Gut Reaction
A crimson, purple hue sets in. Far off in the distance, the twinkling of stars slowly but surely begins to enchant. The waters rush to the shore in the distance, hit the sand and the rocks, and despite their best efforts to push past, recede. The tall firm trees catch the fleeting rays of sun that caresses some leaves while leaving some out in the dark. Nature yawns, leaving shadows carelessly.
It is in this that you catch a glimpse of one of the striking new Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur Chronometry Collection on your wrist.
With the night waiting to reveal its mysteries, you walk calmly on the deck of your yacht, sailing gently along the shoreline. There is something almost calm about the moment, and all you have to really bring your thoughts back to earth is simply a watch tied to the wrist.
From marvelling at the subtle beauty of the blue enamel dial of the new Marine Torpilleur Blue Enamel to witnessing the movement of the moon synchronised on the new Marine Torpilleur Moonphase Blue, you can almost feel the touch of some celestial beauty.
You have to admit, one can’t but love the new Ulysse Nardin Chronometry Collection purely for the poetry its simplicity commands; on blue, black or white backdrops, the majestically elongated Roman numerals sit proudly. No frivolous distractions, even in the creeping darkness, the timepieces are intrinsically legible.
As time relentlessly keeps on going about its business, minute by minute, trying to advance this chapter of night into day, the cogs of motion inside these precise mechanical beauties churn about, with life and time in perfect harmony.
It is in this serene environment you come to terms with the true magnitude of this new collection; with various complications such as a panda chronograph, a tourbillon, or an annual calendar at your disposal, true connoisseurs of time will appreciate this marine world inspired collection’s innate charms.
Built upon a legacy spanning 175 years, presenting the new Ulysse Nardin (UN) Chronometry Collection for Geneva Watch Days 2021
What is it: The new Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur Chronometry Collection comes in 7 models spread over 5 variations. Announced at the ongoing for Geneva Watch Days 2021
When released: 31 August 2021
Who is it for: Those who love nautical themed watches, and for those who would like handsome Swiss made, precise, functional tool-meets-dress watches
Set Sail With Some Context
The new Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur Chronometry Collection is released to mark the brand’s 175th anniversary, though the Marine Torpilleur is relatively new for the brand, having only seen daylight since 2017.
UN’s current Marine collection boasts of 59 models, ranging from 42 to 44mm, and the new models sit at 42mm (with the exception of at the annual calendar version). This collection that is named after the smaller faster ships of a bygone era aims to relive the life of the explorers that roamed the oceans with their UN award-winning marine chronometers.
Besides being distinguished by newer complications and aesthetics such as a panda dial, moonphase complication, a flying tourbillon, and an annual calendar complication, all the 7 new Marine Torpilleur models are produced in limited editions, feature the brand’s haute horlogerie saviour-faire and silicon technology, bear the signature “Chronometry since 1846” at 6’o clock on the small seconds counter, feature cathedral hands and a lightened minutes circle compared to the core collection.
Thanks to the brand’s acquisition of Donzé Cadrans — an independent enamelling workshop based in Le Locle, Switzerland — two of the models feature a handsome in-house enamelled dial (Grand Feu technique) in blue or black.
As an architect I particularly admire the inclusion of a power reserve indicator that not only balances out the dial symmetry, but also harps back to first designs produced by Ulysse Nardin that informed sailors of how much longer the watches will keep on ticking.
Strong Waves
Before we dive into the specifications for these models, there are two grievances I wanted to address.
One, based on my experience with the Marine collection’s wrist presence, I feel some of these new models — perhaps the pound dial execution — should have been in 40mm diameter instead. For those of us struggling with slimmer wrists, that 2mm change could be the difference between adding these to our collections or not.
Second, a Marine collection that is all about navigating the seas of the world — and inspired by about two centuries of this lifestyle — features only 50m water-resistant. This is kind of an anti-thesis of its purpose of existence.
Other than this, sign me up, for these are some handsome timepieces that get my heart sailing.
Charter Your Own Course
The cost of entry to the delightful world of UN’s Marine timepieces starts at 7’200 USD for the 42mm Marine Torpilleur with a date, small seconds and a power reserve indicator. This essentially looks like the Marine Torpilleur Blue Enamel but without the specially enamelled dial.
There are 5 basic new Marine Torpilleur models for you to choose from, with extra variations. Based on dial colour or strap options. Take your pick.
New Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur Panda
- 42×11.13mm polished & satin-finish stainless steel case with a fluted bezel and an exhibition casebook;
- Calibre UN-118 Manufacture COSC-certified automatic movement comprising 260 components and 50 jewels, beating at the frequency of 4Hz, offering a decent 60-hour power reserve and featuring a balance spring in Silicium & escapement wheel & anchor in Diamonsil;
- The varnished panda opaline dial features double counters with power reserve indicator at 12’o clock and small seconds with date at 6’o clock and “Chronometry since 1846” signature on the small second counter;
- Limited to 300-pieces
- Retails for 8’200 USD or 7’800 CHF
New Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur Moonphase White or Blue
- 42×11.13mm polished & satin-finish stainless steel case with a fluted bezel and an exhibition casebook;
- Calibre UN-119 Manufacture COSC-certified automatic movement comprising 222 components and 45 jewels, with rest of the specs same as above;
- The blue sun-brushed PVD dial or white varnished dial features double counters with power reserve indicator at 12’o clock, small seconds and moon disc at 6’o clock. The moonphase display comprises of a multi-layer decal atop a ‘starry sky’ backdrop made of blue PVD;
- Limited to 300-pieces each colour way
- 9’900 USD or 9’400 CHF
New Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur Annual Chronograph Blue or White
- 44×13.66mm polished & satin-finish stainless steel case with a fluted bezel and an exhibition casebook;
- Caliber UN-153 Manufacture non-COSC-certified automatic movement comprising 406 components and 53 jewels, beating at the frequency of 4Hz, offering a 52-hour power reserve and featuring the balance spring, escapement wheel & anchor in Silicium in Diamonsil;
- The blue mat PVD dial or white varnished dial features a silvered small counters chronograph counter at 3’o clock, annual calendar and small second at 9’o clock, and “Chronometry since 1846” signature at 6’o clock;
- Limited to 300-pieces each colour way
- 12’100 USD or 11’500 CHF
New Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur Tourbillon
- 42×11.93mm polished & satin-finish 5N rose gold case with a fluted bezel and an exhibition casebook;
- Calibre UN-128 Constant Manufacture automatic movement comprising 208 components and 36 jewels, beating at the low frequency of 2.5Hz, offering a good 60-hour power reserve, and featuring the balance spring, escapement wheel & anchor in Silicium in Diamonsil; besides the functions of central hours and minutes, the movement offers a flying tourbillon with Ulysse Anchor Escapement (constant) / blades technology at 6 and a power reserve indicator at 12;
- The black Grand Feu enamel dial by Donzé Cadrans features rose gold-coloured hands;
- Limited to 175-pieces
- 48’400 USD or 45’900 CHF
New Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur Blue Enamel
- Last but not the least — and my second favourite after the panda versions from his collection — is the 42×11.73mm beauty with a polished & satin-finish stainless steel case with a fluted bezel and an exhibition caseback. It features the same movement and specs as the panda dialled variants, barring the special blue Grand Feu enamel dial by Donzé Cadrans;
- Limited to 175-pieces
- Retails for 11’500 USD or 10’900 CHF
That’s All Folks!
A soft breeze lightly touches your face; the night is now pitch black, the moon playing hide and seek with the clouds. It’s time to turn in, call it a day. And whatever new adventures tomorrow brings, with a new Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur timepiece strapped on your wrist, you know you are at the helm of your own horological destiny.
A detailed hands-on review hopefully coming soon. For more information on the new Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur Chronometry Collection and other UN watches, please head to their website here. All images unless otherwise stated are ©2021 Ulysse Nardin. Make sure to check out our reviews of other 2021 novelties here.
