Ulysse Nardin Stranger Music Box Watch Review

amanico · 2014-10-15T05:17:27Z

Amanico reviews the Ulysse Nardin Stranger, a 45mm music box on the wrist watch, discussing its aesthetics, size, and sound quality.

Key Points from the Discussion

An owner of the Ulysse Nardin Stranger confirmed that the watch is much more stunning in person than in photos, with a fantastic dial and comfortable wear, even on smaller wrists, despite its 45mm size.
Ulysse Nardin often designs cases to fit the movement, explaining the Stranger's large size due to the complexity of integrating both watch and music box functions. This approach is also seen in models like the Moonstruck.
The sound of the Stranger's music box, while high-quality, is noted to be quieter than expected, especially compared to other chiming watches like the Sonata or JLC Minute Repeater.
The crown control system, allowing winding, date, and time adjustments with a simple push, was reportedly designed to accommodate Rolf Schnyder's wife's long nails, a detail also associated with the Jade model.
The dial of the Stranger is significantly more dimensional in person than in press photos, contributing positively to its visual appeal despite adding to the watch's thickness.
A collector questioned whether the movement size dictates the case size across all UN watches, noting that models like the Freak have seen case size increases over the years despite similar movement dimensions.

The Discussion

Mitch K

Oct 15, 2014

Overall I agree with your assessment.

I ordered mine with a bit of skepticism. The pictures were nice and I liked the concept. When I received the watch, I must say that I was bowled over. In the metal it is so much more stunning then I had imagined. Yes the dial is fantastic. It was truly love at first sight. I have read your concerns about the date and I must say that it doesn't bother me. It is small and not terribly obtrusive. Yes it is a big watch but it doesn't wear big. It actually wears comfortably even on my 6 1/4 inch wris

amanico

Oct 15, 2014

Thanks for your very interesting feedback, Mitch.

As for my acoustical observations, you are right. I have no comparisons in mind, other than the Sonata, the Master Minute Repeater, and my Alarms. So, I was expecting a louder sound. But never heard other " music box " on the wrist. It had to be added, indeed. As well as the typical construction of the " music box ", compared to the Sonata or the JLC Minute Repeater ( whose gongs are welded to the sapphire ). I heard the same explanation about Rolf's wife nails, but on the Jade... As for the cro

Dave G

Oct 16, 2014

I saw one this week...

In WG at a large dealer here in Hong Kong. Like so many other UN pieces (Hourstriker, Freak, Moonstruck) from UN, they have such originality. But you are right....what a big watch. 42mm or less would be great...but perhaps the movement needs the larger case. I had the same problem with the Moonstruck...3-4mm too large for me. Dave

amanico

Oct 16, 2014

The Moonstruck is very impressive, yes. A tad too big for me, sadly. [nt]

Mitch K

Oct 16, 2014

Unlike in other watch brands, UN tends to make the case to fit the movement.

The Stranger is a larger case because it had to be and still be a watch. I could imagine that a music box alone could be in a smaller case but you have to not only include the music box function but also the watch function as well and all that goes along with it. The movement fills the case and I highly doubt that the movement could have been smaller. Again, look at the Breguet and you will see a truly huge watch that had to be that size because of its construction and yet it is not louder then

Dave G

Oct 16, 2014

Thanks for your insight. ...

Thanks for your insight. I do like all these unique pieces, and would have guessed the Stranger size was for reasons you suggest or for acoustical properties of the case, etc. Your points on the Moonstruck are interesting and I wonder how the complexity compares to any of the trilogy pieces (Tellurium, Astrolabium, Copernicus) which are in 40-42 mm case sizes? DAve