Ulysse Nardin Ludwig Perpetual Calendar Review

Ginger · 2010-02-10T15:01:42Z

Ginger shares her acquisition of a Ulysse Nardin Perpetual Calendar, highlighting its 38.5mm fit, guilloche dial, and horological charm. A collector s review.

Ginger

WPS member · Ulysse Nardin forum

24 replies2345 views8 photos

Ginger shares her excitement over acquiring an older Ulysse Nardin Perpetual Calendar, a piece she had long desired. Her post beautifully articulates the personal connection collectors form with their watches, emphasizing the blend of horological interest, aesthetic beauty, and practical wearability. This article offers a heartfelt perspective on collecting and the enduring appeal of Ulysse Nardin's classic complications.

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Last week my local dealer got in an older decorative limited edition watch that I had been hoping for a good while to acquire. As I prepared to go in to see it, I took a good look at his stock online because I was "in the mood" and if I didn't choose this one I wanted to come home with something else. My eye kept returning to another older LE from another fine brand, and I began to suspect that this was going to be my choice. I have been collecting my vintages and hi beats for a while, and had been saving up for a special purchase - hopefully something that would see a good bit of use and be of horological interest as well as beautiful.

Full credit should be given to Marcus for his rapturous reviews of his Christmas acquisition, which convinced me that this was the one.

Not much surprise here - it is the UN forum

The original

Beautiful turned subdial, guilloche dial and blued hands

If you look carefully you can see the photographers reflection.

Obligatory wrist shot. See how well it fits at 38.5mm!!!

I personally prefer this to all of the other versions. I have to think of wrist size and comfort, and this one fits me well. The curved lugs, the design of the bezel, the lack of pushers all contribute to the fit and the pleasing dimensions. The guilloche dial is killer, and makes the watch somewhat dressy and more feminine for me. I wanted a complicated watch I could actually read without reaching for my glasses, and the large date, the clear markers and blued hands make this version both beautiful and useful. And I like the yellow gold, although I think I would have liked rose gold as well or better. I saw photos of this watch in white metal (I believe it was white gold, not platinum, but I could be wrong), and it was much harder to read without the contrast of the markers against the dial.

I understand that for most owners GMT is a welcome addition, at least in a larger size. (i find the 38.5 mm dial a bit busy or cramped with the GMT hour ring and third hand, and harder to read). But I prefer the single wondrous crown both as a horological and design feature, and I prefer the elegant plain blued hands to the lumed hands.

Now I just have to find a party for February 28th!!!

Best,

Ginger

Key Points from the Discussion

The acquired Ulysse Nardin Perpetual Calendar is identified as the 'original' Ludwig Perpetual, named after its designer Dr. Ludwig Oeschlin, and is highly valued for its historical significance and ease of setting.
The 38.5mm case size, curved lugs, and lack of pushers contribute to the watch's comfortable fit and pleasing dimensions, making it suitable for various wrist sizes.
The guilloche dial, blued hands, and clear markers enhance legibility and give the watch a dressy, elegant, and somewhat feminine appeal.
While the GMT function is appreciated by many, some collectors prefer the simpler, less busy dial of the non-GMT perpetual calendar, valuing the single crown and elegant blued hands.
The contrast of yellow gold with the dial and markers is preferred for readability over white metal versions, which can be harder to discern.
The community expresses strong congratulations and enthusiasm for the acquisition, highlighting the watch's beauty and the joy it brings to collectors.

The Discussion

respo

Feb 11, 2010

Oh, wow, Ginger! Congratulations!

That is a wonderful piece. How lucky for you to find one at your local dealer. It is just beautiful. UN really knows how to make a perpetual, and this one is, as you said, a very good size and in in some ways a bit streamlined without the addition of the GMT. I for one really like to have the GMT function, but I agree with you, I kind of prefer the single crown here and the less busy dial with just the perpetual. I do not always love UN's design aesthetics, but this one to be has such a good old

Ginger

Feb 11, 2010

I confess I have been staying up to midnight just to watch the day date change! [nt]

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G99

Feb 11, 2010

Congratulations Ginger, a superb aquisition, although i am biased.

i've owned mine for 2 1/2 years and love it to bits. it is truly the 'original' UN perpetual. forget all the GMT +/- models, this was the one named after the genius who designed it and many others, Dr Ludwig Oeschlin. its a lovely size at 38.5mm with beautiful blued hands, guilloche dial and nicly bevel edged holes for the dates. i notice yours is 132 and mines 135, how about that for a close match out of 150? congratulations again Ginger and let me put a couple of my pics up just for the heck o

Ginger

Feb 11, 2010

Eric likes it too and was wise enough not to inquire as to price.

FanFrancisco

Feb 11, 2010

congrats, Ginger..

this model is the one i like most among all UN watches. congrats, very nice watch, i especially like those little blue hands, crown etc. stefan

Ginger

Feb 11, 2010

I used a light tent and the blue of the hands really pops in the photo

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