Ulysse Nardin

Testing the rubber-coated Ulysse Nardin Marine Diver "Black Sea" in the field by Marcus Hanke “We need more shovels!” - “And bring another two sand boards!” - “Quick, it could tumble down!” Frantically I was digging away the sand from under the hillside w...  

Cool report, very interesting to see it out in the field. Did you try to bash into something or drop it to see how durable the coating is? Did you expose the UN Red Sea to any oils, brake fluid or gasoline? =MW

I did not deliberately expose it to specifically harsh treatment, if you mean that. It banged into so many hard things since I received it, that I do not consider it necessary to bash it against a steel carrier with force. I also did not try to scratch it... 

It is one thing to claim that a coating can resist to hard contexts and experiences, it is another thing to verify these statements, and here, you proved that this Red Sea is a real toolwatch. Which is fundamental for this kind of watches. The sand and th... 

... so with my compromised hearing capabilities, I am not the right person. One of the directors here at the Salzburg Festival would be the perfect reviewer, but, unfortunately, I am lacking the right contacts. Regards, Marcus

I will try to see it in thev flesh, just hoping that I will not have to wait till November and the Salon Des Beles Montres. Best, Marcus. Nicolas

And this is now one of my favorites (I'll always rank the debut of the UN160 as the best UN post). I had been wondering specifically about the rubber coating and its durability. Question answered. The unique look at multiple Bremachs is awesome. Certainly... 

To be honest, I am dreaming of a camper version of this beast: http://un1.watchprosite.com/img/watchprosite/un1/98/scaled/un1_image.2869998.jpg (c) Mercedes Benz However, it is simply too large for tight old Europe - and most other parts in the world, too...  

Tracie wants a small camper we can pull, but that really limits where you can go. I like your idea much more ;-)

My Friend, As we are both "of size" and have to mind our blood cholesterol content, I fully understand the dance you have to do with 2 adults and 2 large hounds in a small Italian truck. :-) It's good to know that you can swerve with alacrity wearing the ... 

... and - just in the most unlikely of cases that you forgot my astonishing abilities - I'd like to recommend to your valued memory how I move with the legerity of a gazelle: Just add the watch, now ... Best regards, Marcus ...  

Dear Marcus, I should not have been surprised but the illustration of the 2nd most famous pachyderm to serve as an erstwhile reminder of your terpsichorean ability was superfluous, as that was EXACTLY the image I had flitting around in my mind's eye, like... 

In his reply further up, Ming raised an issue that I had completely overlooked: How does the "Red Sea's" rubber-coated case fare when exposed to chemicals? Of course I am aware that any material can be damaged if the chemical is only aggressive enough, Co... 

NT

Good test, Marcus. As DRMW enquired, It'd be interesting to find out what composition the rubber is. One recommendation, no matter what the composition is, I'd recommend keeping ANY watch with plastic or rubber components away from anything containing Tol... 

When walking the dogs on the river banks in summer, the mosquitoes try to eat me alive. I found DEET to be the only effective repellent, so I am using a gel containing 30% of DEET since some years, very often together with rubber-strapped watches. Until n... 

...that will avoid any issues. As you wrote, time and concentration are the key. I've split dive band where I hadn't cleaned out the grooves (mind you, it was after weeks of wearing insect repellent everyday) and melted plenty of headphone cord coverings.... 

but it's quite hard for me to understand that you had fun in such a moon area, full of sand, dust and dirt and hard work all the time :-) Vielen Dank! stere

... others claim to have fun in a crowded, loud and dark discotheque, I do so in a moonlike landscape. It's good that we all are so different! Regards, Marcus

Did i say that right? Anyway, one good way to clean that piece is to use a blower (what we use to clean out dust from lenses and sensors) to take out the excess water from your watch after you wash it. Then probably just use microfibre for the glass. Than... 

... but in fact, there is not much sense to it. With maked eye, you won't see the thiny fibres sticking on the rubber. It is only an issue for the high-res macro photography, but not in everyday experience. Wash, wipe, c'est ca! Regards, Marcus

One quick question - is the rubber coating on thiis UN Marine Diver a proprietary rubber coating? Or is it just a standard rubber coating that all the watch brands use such as IWC & JLC which have rubber coated watches? I'm a big fan of your real worl... 

I will ask about the rubber issue. However, I suspect that it is done by the case manufacturer, that might be the same for several high-class brands. In practice, I am positive that the other timepieces made by IWC, AP etc. will not perform differently. I... 

nt

I've always found your posts, especially your reviews to be quite informative. While I was not necessarily interested in the UN Marine Diver, I was quite curious to find out whether the rubber coating would perform well in the field. The underlying narrit... 

... here is some more info: http://www.steirisches-kuerbiskernoel-gga.at/index.php?lang=en It is really very tasty! Best regards, Marcus

I don't believe it: All the time I used a wrong designation of the watch! Due to its bright red markers and hands, I simply assumed it was called "Red Sea", in spite of having used the correct name back in 2011 myself .... oh my, there are so many seas an...  

You are in the clear!