Ulysse Nardin Sonata 17th Birthday

amanico · 2021-07-23T09:42:09Z

Celebrate the 17th birthday of the Ulysse Nardin Sonata, a unique alarm watch with GMT and grande date, praised for its innovative design and enduring appeal.

amanico

WPS member · Ulysse Nardin forum

24 replies4154 views8 photos

Nicolas's reflection on his Ulysse Nardin Sonata's 17th birthday offers a deeply personal perspective on a watch that defied conventions upon its 2003 unveiling. His insights into its unique complications and daring design underscore its lasting impact on horology and its continued relevance to collectors. This post celebrates the Sonata not just as a timepiece, but as a companion through life's milestones.

24 collectors discussing this on the WatchProSite forumJoin the Conversation →

I still cannot realize that one day,in a few years, now, it will become a vintage. This watch is so timelessly modern!

17 years ago, it was an UHO ( Unidentified Horological Object ). What? An alarm watch which sounds like a minute Repeater? On 24 hours? With a 24 hours alarm countdown? Which you can set to the minute? With a grande date and a second time zone you can set forward and backward???

There was nothing like the Sonata at that time, in 2003 when it was unveiled, and still nowadays, the only existing watch, the only rival is a certain Patek introduced in the catalogue one or two years ago six times more expensive than the Ulysse Nardin...

And what about the style, the design? Daring, mad, innovative, with this concave bezel and this dial bending smooth parts and Cotes de Genève, without forgetting the skeletonized leaf shaped blue hands.

The only thing which has aged a bit is the case, but I can and I will live with that, as the rest is just a feast for the eyes AND the ears!

This Sonata is one of these rare watches which provides such an intense pleasure, a medication against horological fatigue, with a bit of nostalgia, though, as the early 2000's were clearly inspired and inspiring, due to the genius and the talent of some magicians / wizards and visionary men, such as Rolf Schnyder, Lucas Humair, Ludwig Oechslin, Pierre Gygax and some others.

17 years, that makes a lot of pages written in our common book, a lot of moments, good, bad or sad, lived together. A lot of souvenirs. Almost a whole life. Which makes this watch so important to me. Oly these old companions have this special flavor, to us.

And, that will make some of you laugh, but this is a wath which brings me luck. I always wear it when I have something important, challenging, to do. Or... When I travel, as it is a perfect travel watch with its unique combination of complications.

Happy birthday to mine, still alive and... Ticking.

Best,

Nicolas

Key Points from the Discussion

The Sonata is described as a 'medication against horological fatigue,' offering something truly new and refreshing in a market saturated with similar releases, especially for seasoned collectors who have seen many innovations.
The Sonata's unique combination of complications and daring design is highlighted as a 'thrilling example of watch genius and madness,' serving as a source of inspiration for watch enthusiasts.
A community member expresses admiration for the Sonata's functions after a closer look, suggesting the watch deserves greater recognition for its innovative features.
The absence of Rolf Schnyder and his team at Ulysse Nardin is noted as a shame, implying a loss of the innovative spirit that characterized the brand during the Sonata's creation.
The Freak and Sonata lines are identified as the defining watches for Ulysse Nardin, with a sentiment that it is unfortunate these innovative models are not seen more frequently.
A question is raised regarding the cost of servicing the Ulysse Nardin Sonata, indicating a practical concern for potential or current owners of this complex timepiece.

The Discussion

Jay (Eire)

Jul 23, 2021

“ a medication against horological fatigue”

This sums it up for me. As I’ve said a few times before, on the first few passes I don’t think I saw the beauty in this watch. But, increasingly my eye is coming to see a watch that gives us exactly what you said which is a much needed “medication against horological fatigue”. This aspect has become more and more important for two reasons in my opinion. First because as we age as collectors and therefore have seen so much (or everything) little is truly new. And second because of the change in t

amanico

Jul 23, 2021

How true you are. We've seen a bit of everything, we lived cycles, not only in watches, but also in our passion fro watches, with good and less good moments...

Look at Panerai, for example. We were a bug bunch of true enthusiasts, echoing to exciting offers. We can say the same with and for a lot of brands. This Sonata is a thrilling example of watch genius and madness. A real fuel for us, watch lovers. Best, my dear Jay.

Jul 23, 2021

Wonderful write-up and photographs!

Thanks for sharing. M4

MichaelC

Jul 23, 2021

Many milestones with this terrific Sonata!

I know how much you love it. Congrats on having such a wonderful companion!

amanico

Jul 23, 2021

Thank you so much, my dear Michael.

aris d

Jul 23, 2021