Launched in 2017, Ulysse Nardin says the Marine Torpilleur model embodies the history of the brand and pays homage to the prestigious Marine Chronometers created in the 19th century.
This year, it is expanding its Marine Torpilleur permanent collection with three new timepieces.
They are the Marine Torpilleur Dual Time, the Moonphase in rose gold and the Tourbillon in white Grand Feu enamel.
ULYSSE NARDIN’S WATCHMAKING HISTORY
Over the 19th and 20th centuries, Ulysse Nardin earned a reputation as a master of deck chronometers for naval forces around the world.
The accuracy of these instruments was crucial for calculating longitude to determine the ship’s position at sea.
The House won awards for its excellence at the time and supplied its inventions to over 50 navies, geodesy institutes and astronomical observatories.
Ulysse Nardin’s pocket chronometers were some of the most prized and coveted chronometers among navy officers and merchant navy captains and it was this nautical history that led Ulysse Nardin to design the iconic Marine Chronometer, an expression of its technical performance.
A new generation of chronometer was born in 2017: the Marine Torpilleur which was named after the torpedo boat – a small, rapid historical vessel so agile that it could easily evade the most imposing ships – this timepiece adopts the aesthetic codes of marine chronometers, including the fluted bezel, Roman numeral hour markers and the dual counter.
MARINE TORPILLEUR DUAL TIME
The new Marine Torpilleur Dual Time offers the technical advantages of the UN-334 manufacture calibre and the vintage DNA of the Marine Chronometer (fluted bezel, counter and Roman numeral hour-markers). The movement offers hour, minute and small seconds functions at 6 o’clock, and a large date in a double aperture at 2 o’clock, which can be adjusted in both directions.
While the “home time” display operates continually over a 24-hour period in an aperture at 9 o’clock, the small hand can be moved forward or backward very easily to the local time using the “+” and “-” push-pieces at 8 o’clock and 10 o’clock.
To top off the refined mechanics, the calendar function syncs automatically no matter the direction of the adjustment.
The Marine Torpilleur Dual Time 44 mm in a polished and satin-finished stainless-steel case offers a power reserve of 48 hours, water resistance to 50 meters and a sunray satin-finished blue dial. The timepiece is fitted with a blue alligator-skin strap with a steel folding clasp and is also compatible with a fabric strap with a velcro fastening.
Like all of Ulysse Nardin’s manufacture calibres, the UN-334 incorporates silicium technology, with the escapement wheel, anchor and balance-spring all made from this metalloid, which offers non-magnetic, elastic and durable properties to guarantee the utmost accuracy.
MARINE TORPILLEUR TOURBILLON GRAND FEU
While last year the brand launched the Marine Torpilleur Tourbillon in black Grand Feu enamel as a limited edition of 175 pieces, it is now unveiling the Marine Torpilleur Tourbillon in white Grand Feu enamel as part of the permanent collection. With an open sapphire crystal case back, this polished and satin-finished steel model is completed by a fluted bezel.
The white “Grand Feu” enamel dial designed by Donzé Cadrans proudly displays the power reserve at 12 o’clock. The UN-128 self-winding manufacture calibre powers the flying tourbillon with constant escapement, which is fitted with a flying silicium anchor, a system patented by Ulysse Nardin that won the Tourbillon Watch Prize at the 2015 annual GPHG (Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève) ceremony.
This 42 mm-diameter mechanical masterpiece, water-resistant to 50 meters, is finished off with a blue alligator-skin strap with a folding clasp and is also compatible with a rubber strap or metal bracelet.
MARINE TORPILLEUR MOONPHASE
Ulysse Nardin began to design watches with moonphase displays in the late 19th century. The first Marine Torpilleur Moonphase models were presented in 2021 with a stainless-steel case and a blue or white dial, as a limited edition of 300 pieces per model. Given its success, this year Ulysse Nardin is introducing the Marine Torpilleur Moonphase into its permanent collection, with a 42 mm rose gold case powered by the UN-119 self-winding calibre with a silicium balance-spring and a DiamonSil escapement wheel and anchor.
The dual counters display the power reserve at 12 o’clock and the small seconds and moon disc at 6 o’clock. The moon is transferred onto the counter, which adds elegance and sparkle when it shows itself against the starry blue PVD sky. This timepiece, which is water-resistant to 50 meters, is fitted with a dark blue alligator-skin strap with rose gold folding clasp.
