W
elcome the 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 instrurment, the Marine
Tourbillon unites the three fundamuntals
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
con- tinued 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 Donzé 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 Donzé 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.
APRIL - MAY 2017
Perle
39