Ulysse Nardin

Every good thing has an end, and sadly, Holidays are not an exception to the rule...

This year, I brought with me 2 UN watches, the Sonata ( I never travel without it, as it is a perfect companion for travels with its precious alarm function, even if in Italy or in Croatia, I didn't have to use the GMT function ), and the Freak, for its mesmerizing and strong originality.


The Freak and the Sonata represent the genius of their Creators, indeed.

Different, they are.

To me, The Freak is designed like an horological madness, aesthetically, a bit like a concept watch, while the Sonata although original, is more classic.

Italy and Croatia share an essential thing with UN...The Love of Blue, and certainly a bit more, as we will see....

It seems that for UN, Blue is an important color, as it is present on a lot of their watches.

Sometimes, on the dial, like on the Blue Wave, the Freak, or the 160 Anniversary for example.



Sometimes, it is more subtle, like on the Sonata, with its blued hands and indexes, which bring a nice, discret, yet elegant contrast to the dial.



Italy is also a source of Inspiration for U.N.

We all know that Mr Oeschlin was inspired by the Farnèse Astronomical Clock ( in fact, he restored it ! ) at the Vatican, when conceiving the Trilogy of Time ( Astrolabium Galiléo Galiléi, Planetarnium Copernicus and Tellurium Johannes Kepler ) .

Here, the Galiléo Galiléi:



We also have to keep in mind that another monument, or should I better say Masterpiece was a source of inspiration, too: The Torre Dell' Orologio, but this time in another City...

In Venezia, more precisely in the famous Piazza San Marco.



Three Hints...Three links with UN...

San Marco ( the name, but also the symbol ), the dial of the clock, and the top of the Torre Dell' Orologio.



The legend says that the creators of the Torre Dell' Orologio were taken their eyes off, to not reproduce the masterpiece.

Hopefully, times changed!



Created in 1496, this monument displays digital hours and minutes, an astronomical dial showing the Hours, location of the Sun, Zodiac Signs, and the Seasons.

Just above the Lion, which is the San Marco Symbol, you will see 2 Automatons striking the hours.



Does it remind you something?

No?

And now, have a look at that marvel:



Or, if you prefer something in blue...



Mr Schnyder said it himself, in the " Making of a Masterpiece " book:

" I looked up and I saw the Jacquemarts strike out the passage of time with their hammers and I knew that this was the beautifully human touch that will distinguish our repeaters ".

The Piazza San Marco gave its name to other U.N Watches...

Here with a stunning blue dial: ( Don't know who to credit for ):



Or there, my wife's watch:





Like for UN Watches, Blue is ommipresent, in Italy...

Blue as the Sky:









Blue as the sea... I took the last pic of the Freak ( above ) at the Miramar Castle, in the gardens:



Another evidence of the amazing importance of the brand in the Sea World:



Sorry, I couldn't resist...

Holidays are really a great time to appreciate these very special Beauties, to " dive " into their captivating dials, to enjoy each moment in their company, in a total destressed environment.



Time to give time to time, and to appreciate every passing second...

Now, you get why I feel so ...Blue!



Best to all.

Nicolas

thanks for sharing

Regards,

Jeff

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These vacation posts of yours have been very enjoyable for me, as your enthusiasm for the watches always comes through, along with some great pictures and relevant background information that allows me some additional context for appreciating the timepieces in question.  Thanks very much for these write-ups.

Cheers,

Daos

I should probably pay you -- you saved me a lot of $$$!

Thanks for the many wonderful posts, including this one.

Best,

Jed

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A bit crazy to bring all these watches with me, but this is only pleasure, as Vacations are the only moment in the year where you can really relax and appreciate them.

Finding new backgrounds, lights is a very pleasant game, and it also allows to enhance their Beauty.

Appreciating them more, and understanding them more, too.

Best, Sister.

Nicolas

Nicolas,

Thank you for this reflective post.  I had once heard the connection on the Jacquemarts, but had forgotten the story you replayed.

 

 

Obvisoulsy another link wit the " Torre Dell' Orologio " !

Another fantastic watch from UN.

Thanks for your input, my friend.

Best,

Nicolas

Good to see some of the "lesser known" watches by UN.  And always, always good to see some fresh photos of the Freak getting freaky on a red hot roof.  Next time you go on holiday, may I offer to carry your photo equipment? 

Thanks for posting on this UN theme.

respo

U.N and JLC are certainly my 2 favourite brands.

A touch of madness, genius, originality, inventivity, and ...Beauty.

All of this is shared by these 2 brands, IMO.

They both " wake up " the horological world, as well as the Independants.

As for my photo equipment, I'm afraid I can carry it alone, as a D Lux 4 doesn't take a lot of place!

Best, my friend, and thanks for the compliment!

Nicolas

This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-09-10 00:46:27

but the dealers that have it are far away and I'm not comfortable in dealing with someone so far away for the first time for such a sum.

And your vacations.... you seem to be on vacation every other month. I'm taught not to envy and I'm happy you can enjoy such getaways so frequently.

Thank you for this thread.

When you buy a Freak 1.0, you must know ( and be ready to ) struggle with some problems ( movement, bezel which turns too easily ).

But you also have to know that U.N knows how to set these problems, and that once set, your watch works in a perfect way.

I guess this is the price to pay to own ( and live with ) such a star.

These problems don't exist anymore with the Freak II.

Theerefore, the hunt on a Freak is not an impossible mission, and with a bit of patience, you may find a nice one.

Believe me, rare are the wathces which may be considered as a milestone in Horology.

The Frea is one of them.

On another side, I have to say that UN can't be only summed to the Freak.

The Perpetual Calendars, the Sonata, the GMTs, the Astronomical watches or the simpler but not less interesting Marine Chronometers are all dign of interest.

A brand to discover!

Or to rediscover.

Best,

Nicolas

Even with the upgrade in movement, it still have some problems and can run very slow per day.

As for the Freak II, it may be problem free but its way too big for my wrist.  There are several Freaks on the market now but some are asking a bit more than I think is fair. I like the Freak but I don;t believe in overpaying for anything which then begs the question of whose valuation is more fair I guess

Hi WMcClarenf1, just reading your posts and wish to share my upgrade Freak experience. Original purchase in March 2004 and it spent most of time at UN spa until movement issues resolved with upgrade to 1.5 in Sept 2006. I believe that mine was one of the first upgrades and since the return not one performance problem. I have observed reliable and consistent time accuracy since then and I attribute much of this to faster beat. I would be surprised if performance of my sample of 1 is an exception. I highly recommend the watch.

Two of my favorite things... UN and Italy.

I am reminded of how special a brand UN is, how deep the designs are.  This is not a watch company pumping out "cash cows".  Rather, each piece has a purpose. 

Thanks for the insightful post.

With a lot of audacity.

Who had the willing in 2001 to use the Silicium for the escapement?

Best, and thanks, Michael, for your nice comments.

Nicolas

you've managed to get right through the depth to the bottom layer, something that is hard to do. now i have the same camera i must motivate myself to get out in what sun we have left and practice.

best

Graham

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Love that FREAK!

The Blue Phantom has been is my "WISH LIST" since I saw it for the first time. Something SPECIAL.

Gracias.

Vte

PS: Cool Sonata also.

Another pure marvel, and without hesitation, my favourite " modern " Freak.

A sculptural and strong design.

As for the Sonata, it was my first U.N watch, and my first very special watch.

I live with it a big love stroy, for sure!

Best,

Nicolas

…Astronomical Clock of Prague.

 

By the way, a fellow Purist’s avatar is a picture of it.

 

The UN with the Jacquemarts is really something, Nicolas!

 

Your UNs are bad either  Really hard to say which one I like most...

 

Best regards!

Marcelo

And therefore, living with them for several years now add to their charm, for me.

So, no favourite here.

Thanks for your input, my friend.

Best,

 

Nicolas

Great history and heavenly blue

Best,

--

Richard.

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Just admiring this beautiful FREAK and the surrounding scenery.

I love your work Nicolas. What is the case thickness on a FREAK?

I cannot seem to find the specs?


C

I would say around 12 mm.

Thanks for your ind comments, my friend.

Best,

Nicolas

Hi Nicolas ... The freak is a watch in it's own ... and your pics do it a lot of justice .... (i'll have to buy that camera like yours i think .... but unfortunately i don't have the right watches to photograph). Thanks again for the wonderfull report & pics, and coincidently i remarked an amazing coincidence ... it seems like one of your ancestors must have been a very important guy in Venice .... .

Maybe he was a famous watchmaker .. Yours truly, Filip