iW Magazine Spring 2019 | Page 51

A yacht anchor hangs from the white gold ‘bow’ to become the watch’s power reserve indicator. THREE YEARS AFTER ULYSSE NARDIN LAUNCHED ITS WOOD-DIALED Marine Grand Deck Tourbillon, the watchmaker christens the equally complex Marine Mega Yacht, the brand’s latest ode to its rich nautical history. But where the earlier watch echoed historical sailing vessels, Ulysse Nardin’s new limited edition (of thirty) is rife with features that mimic many of the modern instruments yacht owners rely on to launch and navigate the world’s oceans and moor in its harbors. Like a yacht cruising any glamorous locale, there’s a lot of activity above and below the Marine Mega Yacht deck, and much of it requires some explanation. ON DECK The watch’s 44mm platinum case frames what appears to be a yacht cutting through the mist, which Ulysse Nardin depicts with blue grand feu enamel (the sea) and a white gold bow. Continuing the tribute in miniature, Ulysse Nardin has cast the watch’s flying tourbillon as the boat’s propeller by creating tiny blades that rotate once per minute with the tourbillon cage. And, more vividly, a yacht anchor hangs from the white gold ‘bow’ to become the watch’s power reserve indicator. The three-dimensional anchor, of contemporary nautical design, is linked to the chain by an anchor ring and protruding arrow. All three elements rise and fall in response to the turning of the winding-crown and throughout the day to indicate the remaining power reserve. At the top of the chain is a windlass, or winch, that turns to simulate the raising of a boat’s anchor. Thankfully, wearers can continue to turn the crown and continue to enjoy this bit of nautical simulation, even when the winding process has been fully SPRING 2019 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | 51