Ulysse Nardin Sonata Streamline Review

You know my indefectible love for the Sonata, a watch which was unveiled in 2003, and which I had the pleasure to get in July 2004.

The " First " Sonata:



So, you can imagine how impatient I was to see it in the flesh, when our Dear Marcus announced us that, this year, there will be a totally new Sonata, a revolution rather than an evolution.

We learned that the revolution was not really mechanical, as the former Sonata received some evolutions.

Indeed, the first generation had a solid case back, then a see through case back, to end with the Silicium escapement.

The movement is basically the same than the Silicium version.

The Cal U.N 67:



But the cosmetic radically changed.

Now, the case is 2 mm bigger ( 44 mm instead of the previous 42 mm ) totally differently shaped, too.

More technical, should I say " agressive ", with larger and outlined embossed lugs, this case has a lot of character.



The use of titanium enhances the personality of the watch.

Now, you have the choice between two versions: Titanium case / Gold bezel, or Titanium case / Ceramic bezel.

Having quickly seen the two versions in pictures, I have to say that the only one which I found intriguing was the Titanium case / Ceramic bezel.

I was not impressed at all by the gold bezel, which I find somehow ambiguous.



The gold bezel gives a touch of dressy elegance which, in my opinion, sounds weird, on the new Sonata, while it goes very well on the former model.

The 2 crowns ( one to wind the movement, to set the home time and the alarm time ) and the 2 dual time pushers are in gold and they match with some of the details and parts of the dial, as well as they bring some life to a watch which would, without them, be very dark. Surprising, but not shoking.

The dial is another part of the new Sonata which substantially changes, too.

Hera again, I prefer the Ti / Ceramic version, which I find less busy and mre balanced that the Ti / Rose Gold one, mainly because of the date, which is not designed in the same way, on these 2 " Streamline ".

Here is the Ti Rose Gold, with the aperture in the date zone:



And now, the Ti / Ceramic Streamline:



You will also notice that the hands are not treated in the same color, depending on the versions, as well as the dial, which offers two different personalities to these new Sonatas.

The backside is not disorienting for a Sonata lover:



So, what to think about the Sonata Mainstream?

The Titanium / Ceramic version is, as you already understood it, my favourite, compared to the Titanium / Rose Gold.

But, compared to the original, what to think?

They are so different!

The original had this undisputable touch of romantism and poetry the new one has lost, in my opinion.

The latest Sonata is much more macho, dynamic, though:



Totally enchanted when I saw the first pictures of the Sonata when it was unveiled, in 2003, I was rather disoriented, not to say disappointed when the Streamline was announced and the visuals popped out.

But, as often pictures are pictures, and cannot beat the " in the real experience ".

In the real, the new Streamline is still surprising, but it is much less disenchanting.

Would I trade mine for it? Honestly, I would not.

BUT I guess that for those who didn't know the previous Sonata, or who didn't onn it, yet, they will be more enthusiast about it.

This is the issue when you are used to a certain aesthetics of a watch, and when it changes.

I didn't notice a big difference with the Cathedral, for example, while i heard more differences between the Cathedral and the solid case back model.

The sound is a bit higher, less low, less round, a bit more agressive than with the solid case back, I found.

Therefore you also have the impact of the titanium case, which " transmits " the sound in a higher way than an all gold watch.

Nothing very significative, though, at least for my ears.

I didn't notice a big difference in the size of the case, despite the 2 extra millimeters. More presence on the wirst, certainly, but not shocking.

THE huge difference is the feeling of the " Streamline " once on the wrist.

The titanium case is, naturally, much lighter than any gold case, and if you keep in mind that the sonata is a big and thick watch, you can understand how important it is, in terms of weight.

If you are used to the previous Sonata, you will be surprised!

The comfort of the Streamline is much better, I have to say. you almost don't feel it on your wrist.

As I said, I will not trade my Sonata for the Streamline, BUT I was positively impressed by it, in the real, and in a perfect world, I would even imagine doubling the pleasure.

One issue, on all the Sonatas, by the way, is the power reserve, which I find a bit short, with 42 hours only.

Let it aside for a week end, and you will have to reset and rewind it...

Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts,

Best.

Nicolas.

PS: I would thank Mrs Susanne Hurni for her disponibility, despite the crowd at the Salon and in the booth.

PS 2: Some of the pictures posted here are coming from the press files. U.N has to be credited for them. This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-12-09 01:18:57 This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-12-15 23:04:38