Ulysse Nardin has launched a Marine Tourbillon Grand Feu, a stunning new timepiece in the iconic collection of Ulysse Nardin marine watches. The marine world has been an integral part of Ulysse Nardin’s history since 1846, when a young Ulysse Nardin created the first coveted marine deck chronometers. These precision navigational instruments, prized by mariners and navies the world over, were valued for their accuracy at a time when even few seconds’ difference could mean life or death, success or failure.
These early timepieces were the precursors of the Ulysse Nardin Marine collections to come, like this exquisite Marine Tourbillon. In one magnificent timekeeping instrument, the Marine Tourbillon unites the three fundamentals so essential to Ulysse Nardin’s identity: in-house production, technical avant-garde and rare artistry.
Produced in-house at Le Locle, Switzerland, the self-winding UN-128 caliber is entirely new. Expressing the brand’s development and continued independence in the movements manufacture, it harnesses the properties of silicium technology, with a 60-hour power reserve and a magnificent flying tourbillon. From its position at 6 o’clock, the tourbillon is the central focus of this highly desirable timepiece and celebrates the watchmaker’s continued pursuit of the technical cutting-edge.
A flying tourbillon is one of the most impressively complex mechanisms in the world of Haute Horlogerie. Designed to counteract the negative effects of gravity on the accuracy of a movement, it is one of the finest achievements in mechanical watchmaking. And in this particular high-precision timepiece, the cage, wheels, screws and hairspring of the flying tourbillon are produced entirely in-house by Ulysse Nardin.
The power reserve has always been a historically important aspect of the Marine Collection, as it harks back to a time when sailors relied on the power of their precision navigational instruments to determine their position at sea. With its 60-hour power reserve, the Marine Tourbillon proves itself a reliable partner to all those who require reliable accuracy over time.
The Marine Tourbillon, possessing as it does several of the design characteristics of those heritage marine timekeepers, combines functionality with enduring style. At its heart, a Grand Feu white enamel dial, made in-house by Ulysse Nardin enamel specialists Donze Cadrans. Its lovely pale milky color is a direct result of the process of this challenging art. Dating back to the 17th century, the Grand Feu enamel gets its name from the incredible heat required to fuse the enamel powder in a kiln. The skill of the Donze Cadrans craftsmen at creating these delicate dials is renowned, and their work highly sought after.
Complementing the classic elegance of the Grand Feu dial, are the elegant hands and roman numerals that instantly mark the timepiece as belonging to the Marine Collection. They indicate hours and minutes, while the indicator at 12 o’clock shows time remaining on the 60-hour power reserve. A 43 mm stainless steel case with beveled edges combines sophisticated design and pure practicality. The crown, too, is designed for easy handling, complete with a rubber notch for comfortable winding, and water resistance to 100 m. An alligator strap completes a Marine Tourbillon whose combination of technical and artistic excellence forms a new modern classic.
