Ulysse Nardin

Hi All,

This is my first post to the Ulysse Nardin forum, having purchased a new UN Anniversary 160 in rose gold today. 

My favorite Bay Area retailer was having a UN Trunk Show, which also included the cool Orbita travelling circus.  Er, um, I mean travelling van.  It's actually a nice exhibit, tucked away inside a black van that tours the country displaying their full line of products. 

UN Trunk Shows are always good because the manufacturer brings a number of different model examples for customers and collectors to ogle.  This, in comparison to some manufacturers, who bring very few watches with them and rely too heavily on the retailers' own inventories.  Obviously, the key is to attract customers who might already be familiar with what their local retailer has in stock.  It did the trick for me.  After taking a quick tour with the latest Freak, Royal Blue Tourbillon, as well as UN's spectacular "Circus" minute repeater, I floated back to Earth only to espy the Anniversary 160.

I had never seen one in the steel before and, as is often the case, pictures really don't do the watch justice.  I quickly tried it on after the helpful young sales guy stepped me through the technical particulars of the watch, all the while under the careful guidance of the president of UN North America.  Forgive me for forgetting his name.  I'm not sure that, with the possible exception of a Vianney Halter Trio, I've ever tried on a watch that felt so good against my flesh.  It just had this silky, almost dreamlike quality to it, no doubt do to the slightly curved gold case.   But, also the UN deployant clasp, which is as nice as any I've encountered.  Anyway, I was smitten.  After figuring  I really shouldn't "do it", I did it.  Nothing like a little fiscal responsibility.  Sound familiar to you watch junkies?...

I've posted a few pictures of my prize.  Forgive the quality of the photos.  I'm not very good with my digital camera, especially having to shut the flash off at night, and find suitable lighting.  By the way, this is my second UN, the first being a Maxi Marine Chronometer in steel with a white dial.  Hope you like the pics.  I love the watch...

bill

And congrats for this 160.
This is a fantastic watch, in red or white gold.
The case is spectacular, very well finished.
The dial is perfctly executed.
I see this watch as a modern interpretation of the Marine Chronometer.
Wear it in the best of health!
Nicolas

Thanks, Nicolas.  Very well said. 

The case really is one of the crowning achievements of this watch.

best,

bill

A modern interperetation of the Marine Chronometer.

As stated, the case is very unique, and I cannot think of a higher quality "base" movement in use today.  Enjoy it!

Just a funny experience...Put side by side an AP Millenary, and a UN 160 Anniversary....
You will be defintely convinced...The 160 is much nicer and better finished..
OOOOPS, Sorry, AP fans ....
Nicolas

Spectacular. What else can I say!

The case is like you have noticed..very special.

The dial is also very detailed and unique..also special.

MOST..the movement carries what has never been done, for centuries...a new escapement and a new and important way to make watches. Not a gimmck or sales trick, but a serious answer to making a NEW way to manufacture watches with utmost precision. The silicium way, and the transmission of power from the barrel to the escapement is seriously a new horizon. This watch, is very similar to a freak, but carries a conventional layout.

Congratualtions!

Indeed, Bernard.  The Caliber UN-160 uses the Dual Elysse Escapement, which was first introduced in The Freak.  Said to be essentially friction-free, the caliber actually doesn't need lubrication.  And the ceramic ball bearings used, also eliminate the need for lubrication in the rotor. 

While I'm no techie, I was attracted to the clear technical innovation in the watch, as well as the caliber's potential importance to UN as a company.  In this case, my attraction really is more than skin deep.

I'm still waiting for the large book on the making of the caliber.  I'm keen to find out more about UN's R&D effort.  The book is actually hundreds of pages long, so UN obviously put a lot behind their first in-house engine.  But, the sales guy from UN actually neglected to bring along the packaging for my watch!  That makes my purchase somewhat incomplete, given that the packaging is something to see even apart from the watch.  It looks more like an expensive jewelry box than a watch box.  They even include a precision desktop barometer, which takes up about a third of the box, if you can believe it.  Based on what I saw, I'd say the box is a good 15" long.  Crazy.

bill

Case design is very unique ( like a bath tub ). Rich blue dial with interesting details that grows on you . Very comfortable deployant . Most of all a very significant movement !  But the shiny and polished watch case is

a scratch magnet so be careful with it !  Bernard and me can testify to that .

George

Thanks for the tip, George.  Great advice.  I was actually wondering about this myself, given how much front surface area there is to the case.  Fortunately, I'm pretty careful when it comes to even my less valuable timepieces.  I'll be extra careful with this one.  Of course, it only takes one slip...

bill

This allows you to polish off, with a mild cloth, most scratches.

The brushed side of the case, you have to be careful with the cufflinks.

One point of note, is that there are deep polished watches and deep polished watches...and UN is very good at executing the art of the deep polish.

The surface of the Cal 160 shows off the tradition better than most ...just spend time to admire the deep almost 3D polish on that bezel, next go to another brand..you will see what I mean.

If you have spent time in the military, you will recall the sergeant inspecting the polished boots...and that is the deep shine.

Sans operating manual - I'm still waiting to receive the full packaging from UN - I haven't been very successful manually winding my 160.  I was told, by my dealer, that 40 clockwise turns would be sufficient, but the watch still stops every night, usually around 4:30am or so.   I tried a couple of extra turns to no avail. 

Any thoughts on why it might not be keeping time through the night?  I haven't actually worn the watch yet, "saving" it until Thanksgiving tomorrow to show friends...

bill

This is sometimes possible in the watch, in the 160, you will note that the date mech is special, and can be adjusted back and forth.

The crown can may be in the first position, but not touching thebarrel at all. gently push it inwards..gently.

When the crown is pulled out to the first position, try to listen as you wind, to a rachet sound, as it indictes that the barrel is engaged, or else, you will simply be turning the crown without delivering energy to the barrel.

Hope this helps.

Hi Bernard,

I took your advice about gently pushing in the crown as I wind the watch.  Hopefully, that will do the trick.  My retailer also told me the watch wouldn't be hurt by winding it 80 times, or so, as opposed to the recommended 40 times, since it can't be overwound.

By the way, I finally received the elaborate packaging of the 160.  I'm simply stunned.  It came in two heavy boxes, the first containing the main watch box, and the second box containing a second watch box, made from the same materials as the main box, and of my Maxi Marine Chronometer.  I'm actually using the second, smaller box, since it's easier to store.  But, it's a nice, not to mention expensive, touch. 

Speaking of expensive, for those of you who don't know, the 160 comes with a beautifully constructed and presented desk barometer.  This is a package that would easily cost a $1000 retail.  I can't imagine what came over UN to provide it, except it must have to do with their nautical roots.  At any rate, it's just a gorgeous piece.   I liked it so much, I've displayed it in my living room on a side table with a couple of Waterford crystal pieces.  It's that nice.  I will provide a picture when I get a moment. 

And congratulations on your photography effort in the Making of a Masterpiece hardcover book, Bernard.  Beautifully done.  It must have been a really fun project, especially since I'm of the understanding that photography is your avocation, not your vocation.

best,

bill

Congrats to your new acquisition. 

The Blue Dial with the Pink Gold is a great combination. I particularly like the thickness of the case.

Happy Thanksgiving Day..

Cheers,

You have class, great taste Bill.  The watch looks like there is an epic play waiting behind the velvet blue curtain sitting under the hands.  Love it..

Guru