THE RIGHT TO BE DIFFERENT
With new editions to pad out this avant-garde collection, Ulysse Nardin takes us on an astonishing journey through time, beyond fashions and trends.
Go off the beaten track. Ulysse Nardin often achieves this with surprising timepieces using attractive aesthetics to enhance a function, a complication or a regulating organ. The Executive Tourbillon Free Wheel model, or rather models, make this a reality, offering an architectural alternative on the dial side. Presented in 2018, they surprised us with their mechanical elements such as bridges and wheel trains visible on their dials, a pair of stylized hour and minute hands soaring above. This year, four materials offer as many distinct faces to the watch. Osmium, a rare and very dense metal, illuminates the composition with sparkling crystals. A version in dark blue aventurine shoots us into a starry sky. One made from straw marquetry tinted with glossy black brings a touch of elegance. As for the version in Carbonium® Gold, a material lighter than aluminum, used in aeronautics, it is distinguished by its ribbed texture and its shades obtained thanks to carbon fibers and gold particles.
Within the 44mm cases, in white or rose gold, presides the UN-176 caliber. This hand-wound flying tourbillon movement with silicon components and constant escapement offers a considerable power reserve of up to 7 days.
All these references are worn on a black or blue alligator strap.
Price: 99,000 EUR (aventurine, straw marquetry or Carbonium® Gold) – 102,000 EUR (osmium)
By Dan Diaconu