Amanico's 2014 post celebrates the 10th anniversary of his Ulysse Nardin Sonata, a watch he cherishes for its profound sentimental and horological significance. His detailed account highlights why this timepiece, a favorite of the late Rolf Schnyder, stands out as a true queen among alarm watches and an ideal travel companion.
There are few watches which, in my collection, have this importance.
A sentimental and horological importance, I mean.
Sentimental, because the Sonata is one of my first original " high end " piece which lived many important events of my Professional and private life, on my wrist.
Sentimental because I travelled a lot with it, for Professional reasons, but also for the pleasure.
Sentimental because it became a kind of fetish Watch, for me.
Sentimental because it is well known that it was one of Rolf Schnyder's favourite Watch, and I always admired Rolf vision and talent when he was at the helm of the brand.
Horological , because I am a fan of Alarm watches, and the Sonata is certainly THE Queen of all Alarm watches.
Indeed, this was the first wristwatch to offer an alarm which can be set on 24 hours, with an alarm countdown, a big date you can change forward and backward, and... a GMT, this summing what can be an ideal travel watch, in my opinion.
Horological, because the alarm sounds like a minute repeater, in the same elegant and sophisticated way, and, while most of the alarms sound between 15 and 20 seconds, the Sonata plays this melody for one minute!
Horological, in a more subjective way, because of the design of its case, dial and hands: Young, fresh, original, blending character and elegance.
To try to sum my feelings on this watch, I would say that I was attracted in the magic world of Ulysse Nardin with the Astronomical watches, the Perpetual Calendar, the Chronograph Monopusher and, of course the Freak, this last one having been, for me, a Grail for many years before I could get mine, but the Sonata drove my love for the brand in another dimension: With it, I started to dream of travels, romantic moments, a kind of elegant life style.
With the Sonata, it was love at first sight, when I saw the press file pictures in 2003, a feeling which was a pure confirmation when I had the chance to try it at my AD, a certain 23rd of July 2004.
But you already know that...
Ok, I had several problems with it, always the same, by the way, with the alarm which didn't work when you prorgammed it, but Ulysse Nardin alway gave me an impeccable service and treatment, I must say.
For the rest, it is pleasure, only pleasure.
So, no Wonder why the Sonata is one of the watches I most often wear, in any circumstances, elegant, dressy, or casual, everywhere...
Here are some pictures to celebrate this milestone, its 10th birthday.
At the Meurice:
At Tea Time:
On Charms, during Epiphany,
Toys for boys and travels:
As we are on pictures related to trips, what about those?
The " 2 cents " picture, to end with a touch of humour...
An endless love story...
Best,
Nicolas
