Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur
Review: Angus Davies gets hands-on with the new Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur.
This detailed review of the Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur includes live images, specification details and pricing.
Euripides once remarked, ‘Man’s best possession is a sympathetic wife’. However, for a mariner in the 19th century, arguably his best possession was a pocket chronometer. It was used as a navigational tool and, as such, was of vital importance. Furthermore, a captain’s watch, used both on shore and at sea, denoted the man’s elevated station in life.
Ulysse Nardin pocket chronometers were revered and highly prized throughout the world by naval officers. Now, the Swiss watch brand has unveiled the Marine Torpilleur, ‘a new generation chronometer, made for a modern era’.
Inspired by smaller ships which exhibited impressive manoeuvrability, the Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur is a lighter, thinner version of the iconic Marine Chronometer. It shares many of the design codes of the 19th century pocket watches, but affords the convenience of being wrist-worn.
The dial
The dial is a sea of pure white calm. Gorgeous sinuous, blued steel hands articulate the time with perfect enunciation.
Black, elongated numerals populate the dial. They sit flush with the dial surface and deftly collaborate with the hour and minute hands to proclaim the time.
At 6 o’clock, a small seconds hand rotates around a sunken subdial. This subdial is framed with a chemin de fer. At the base of the subdial is a date display. Crisp black numerals are presented on a pure white disc. Despite the small scale of the date display, readability is excellent.
Below noon, a second sunken subdial plays host to the power reserve display. It is suitably labelled with ‘Bas’ and ‘Haut’, low and high.
The dial of the Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur is a paragon of legibility. Moreover, it brims with elegance and style with its pure white complexion.
The case
Measuring 42mm in diameter, the stainless steel case exhibits much refinement. The bezel is enhanced with a neat crimped edge. The case-band is highly polished, while the upper section of the lugs are satin-brushed.
The case-back is very flat and features a broad sapphire crystal, affording wide-screen views of the self-winding movement within. The case-back and underside of the lugs are highly polished.
The crown is neatly knurled and the vertical flank of the crown sports the brand’s maritime-inspired logo. Manipulating the crown proves simple and the grip capably aids adjustment.
Adorning the left hand side of the case, a cartouche proclaims the serial number of the watch.
The scale of the Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur lends itself to comfortable wear. Indeed, the watch should prove suitable for a broad array of wrist sizes.
The movement
While the Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur shares similar styling to the maison’s 19th century pocket chronometers, the in-house designed movement, the Caliber UN-118, is very up to date. It employs a state of the art silicon anchor escapement.
The watch is a COSC certified chronometer, providing independent assurance on the accuracy of the timepiece when tested in different positions. The oscillator consists of an inertia balance wheel fitted with a silicon hairspring.
Circular Côtes de Genève graces the bridges and sports blued screws upholding watchmaking tradition. The oscillating mass is partially open-worked and features the brand’s logo.
The movement contains 50 jewels and has a power reserve of approximately 60 hours.
Unusually, the date can be adjusted in either direction without fear of damaging the movement.
Closing remarks
The dial of the Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur is exceptional. Not only does it prove effortless to read, but it is imbued with a notable degree of style.
The scale of the Marine Torpilleur lends itself to comfortable wear. Indeed, the slender profile of the watch, together with the neat 42mm diameter, should prove universally appealing.
While the Marine Torpilleur is inspired by the styling of the 19th century Ulysse Nardin pocket chronometers, it remains a contemporary watch, drawing on modern day know-how and materials. The use of cutting-edge silicon mitigates the danger of magnetism and corrosion.
Ulysse Nardin has not eschewed traditional watchmaking craft, enhancing the movement of the Marine Torpilleur with Côtes de Genève motif and blued screws.
Recently, a fellow professional in the field of watch journalism asked me why I love Ulysse Nardin watches and I replied, ‘Gorgeous dials, foolproof movements and great value for money.’ The Marine Torpilleur is a case in point, possessing all of these attributes in a wearable format.
Perhaps Euripides was mistaken, ‘Man’s best possession is a meritorious timepiece, befitting one’s status.’
Further information
https://www.ulysse-nardin.com/
Technical specifications
• Model: Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur
• Case: Stainless steel; diameter 42mm; water resistant to 5 bar (50 metres); sapphire crystal to front and caseback.
• Functions: Hours; minutes; small seconds; date; power-reserve indicator.
• Movement: Self-winding movement; 50 jewels; power reserve 60 hours.
• Strap: Black leather strap with steel folding clasp.
• Price: €6,900 (RRP as at 10.7.2017)
Related links