Ulysse Nardin

Dear friends,

I am interested to know how you discovered Ulysse Nardin: Did you notice the watch at a dealer, while you were looking for a completely different watch, or were you intrigued before, and only curious, before you realized that you liked the UN? Or were you thinking about UN in general and/or a particular watch for a longer time already, slowly developing some kind of passion, before you finally strapped "your baby" to your wrist?

And, please, don't forget to post a pic or two of your "first"!

My first one was this (and still is):



Regards,
Marcus

Sonata, immediately followed by a Monopusher, a Freak, a Perpetual Calendar GMT, and my last was ( still have it, though ) the 160 Anniversary.

The Freak was the one which lead me to U.N and to this very particular world, made of originality, madness ( in the good meaning ), and technicity.

I discovered U.N  at one of my friend's shop, who is also an AD for UN.

Since the love at first sight, and my first UN, 3 years passed.

Here are 2 pics.

The Guilty, the responsible for my passion for U.N:

My first love:

Best,

Nicolas

 

 

I absolutely have no idea about UN before, as I am still new in horology world back then,
I started collecting watch 3 years ago,
When I saw the Freak, I began researching about UN background and Freak, which is very interestingly my first serious watch as well. I found this forum and read many great review by many UN enthusiasts, Dr. Bernard Cheong, Nicolas, and including you, Dr Marcus Hanke,

I also dont have much budget as we all have to work hard to earn it, once I got an offer for Freak 1, I took it straight away.
i try to make my collection small but very meaningful in the horology achievement in modern age. The Freak is truly a revolutionary watch in our era.

Hopefully, this is my first step to continue my journey and passion of collecting fine watch. still long journey to come.
Thanks to this forum, to keep and sharing our passion together.

have a great day
Eddy

 

I picke up my UN in late 2003. It was researched as I was looking for something with a GMT function. I don't recall how I heard about the brand, perhaps here as I have lurked since about that time. I ordered a catalog from UN and found a local AD. The rest is history.

For me it was a very long process. I had been admiring the unique styling of UN and the Perpetual Calendar that I saw in advertisements in Airports, Magazines and Newspapers for years. I finally had the opportunity to examine the majority of the UN collection up-close at an AD. I was impressed with the look and feel of UN and in particular the Perpetual Calendar and the Sonata. I liked the hands and those unique "pushers" - the marvelous chime of the Sonata and the sophistication of the Perpetual Calendar. I knew it would be a difficult choice between the two. This was back in 2008 and the Sonata Silicium had just been announced.  I thought long and hard and decided to wait until I had the opportunity to see the Sonata Silicium in person before making a decision.  That took another year but I’m glad I waited. I have worn this watch at least 5 days a week for over a year and I am still just as impressed with it as the day I received it.. Here is a picture of it today. Unfortunately you can't capture the true look of this watch in a photograph - you have to go see one for yourself.

 

For my 50th birthday present to myself I decided that I wanted to switch my having worn quartz watches for the past 40 years to a mechanical watch, and one that can be passed onto my one and only son once I kick the bucket.  So I searched for that special first mechanical watch over a six month period looking at magazines, internet sites, forums, and ADs.  I was drawn by the look, history, reliability and trusted servicing of UN watches.  Here is the watch that I chose ...

 

 

I love them all, the " simple " and original version, the Cathedrale, and the latest Silicium.

The Sonata is certainly a blend of originality, poetry, and magic.

An envouting watch!

Best,

Nicolas

That's how beautiful I thought the Ulysse Nardin Acqua Marine Perpetual was.  I specifically went to to my AD to look at that Lange Datograph and if I liked it on my wrist, I was going to buy the Datograph that very same day. 

However, the Datograph was too small so then I looked around and the salesman brought out the UN Acqua Perpetual.  The intense blue was so captivating that I whipped out the plastic and walked out the door with it. 

Ahhh the good old days...

Cheers,
Anthony

 

As I write, seeing the Maxi Marine Diver in person was what did the trick.
I had known of UN through my father who had one when he was young, and he had spoken of the great brands of Patek, Vacheron, AP, Ulysse Nardin, Girard Perregaux and of course Rolex.
 
So I had owned an AP Royal Oak (Ref.14790) for about a year and sold it as it didn't really convince me.

So I kept on looking for a 'modern' watch (as I used to collect vintage watches a lot). And my brother incidentally was telling me about the UN MMD, I saw the pictures in magazines, etc. but one day walking in downtown San Francisco I saw one in the display at the AD there.... and that was simply it. I hadn't even strapped it on my wrist, but just seeing it there I was blown away by it.

As all UN's they create a magical world in that space between the crystal and the dial... just a beauty to admire and wear every day.

Been enjoying mine ever since!!

My acquisition process of my Freak was a long and considered one where I relied alot on this forum and talking to owners and afficionados.  The Michaelangelo UTC was more of an impulsive thing.  I wear the Freak a lot more and have not had teh UTC on my wrist for a good 6 months or so... I need to not be impulsive

reading reviews and many posts.

The Freak as soon as I had enough funds. I made up my mind to buy it when I first read about it here on the purists, there was a post of a lauch at Basel with a parade of characters.

It was the fact that there was a host of engineering and industrial processess that were so radical, and that I felt it would change the world, and it later did so...that I was compelled to buy it. I was at the time, not able to afford one. I had to save for more than 18 months to pay for it.

Now, in 2010, I am buying my second freak as in the Diavolo.

I am sure a "google" on my name Bernard Cheong will bring up my old posts.

Thanks Marcus!

Your story on the Freak purchase is really a must-read, and can be found here:

www.sbg.ac.at

Regards,
Marcus

Neuchatel?

" Doubling " the original Freak with the Diavolo is something I also have in mind...

Which would be a " first " on my golden rule : " Never double a watch " ...

We must be so ...Freaaakie!



Best,

Nicolas

... due to the completely changed escapement in the "Freak". Nobody would speak of "doubling" when adding a Breguet Tradition Tourbillon to his "pure" Tradition.

Regards,
Marcus

They don't share the same escapement, indeed.

But let'si nverse the proiblem:

Would you go for a simple Tradition if you laready own the Tradition Tourbillon?



Best,

Nicolas

A friend of mine came from New York for a visit and he had with him his new toy, a 353-66 (MMChronograph) with the ivory dial.  I was taken with the classic look and craftsmanship of the watch.  I also loved the idea of the serial number being a plate on the side of the watch.  At the time I only new of Rolex and Cartier so this was quite a revelation.

I did spend the next year or so researching and finally pulled the trigger on 263-66 (MMChronometer) with the white dial.  To me this watch spoke of class, t was simple and elegant.  It didn't jump off your wrist as a super expensive watch yet the people in the know, knew exactly what it is.

Being blessed with a larger wrist, nothing smaller than 45mm looks good to me so I finally let go of the 263-66 and purchased the 263-90 (MMDT)

I also converted a few friends into UN lovers...  One day I will buy the 353-66 just to have the watch that sparked the love.





Rusty

I was actually looking at another watch brand and doing some research on it, when I came across Ulysse Nardin. I instantly fell in love. I then decided to forget about the other brand altogether and just buy a UN. It was the Blue Max, which in fact was also after reading the amazing review by non other, Marcus Hanke. Thank you, you helped me make a great choice. In the photos bellow I switched out the blue rubber strap for the SS, just to give it a different look. I still use it with the rubber strap depending on occasion. Luis

I have always loved everything that relates to the nautical world.

Before purchasing my UN, I remembered that I had seen a swiss brand using an anchor to represent its logo. But at the time their watches were too classic for my taste, not enough "diver's look".

My interest for the brand woke up at the moment that I saw the Maxi Marine Diver. That was it! A diver's watch with an anchor as logo and quite a nice finish to top it all. I was sold.

And still, to this day, I find that my MMD represents one of the nicest piece around in terms of finish and elegance. Simply timeless!

Regards,

Yves

Hi Marcus,

Everything is said in your post........yes I was walking in a watch shop area in a mall and I passed in front the UN boutique; I have been "strike" by the Squeleton 45mm behind the window, went inside, had a look at this beauty  and decided that this timepiece must be mine asap. 

UN are GREAT pieces !!!

Cheers, Phil.

 

... are seen very rarely, but are a great facet of UN's rich tradition. A perfect choice!

Regards,

Marcus