Ulysse Nardin Sonata: 19th Birthday!
amanico
There are few watches which provide such a strong feeling. At that point I remember the moment and the conditions of the purchase very well. I also remember how long I waited to get it. An instant dream since the day Ulysse Nardin unveiled it.
I received the call from my Ulysse Nardin AD and great friend on the 23rd of July 2004 in the morning... Two hours later, I was at his shop.
I also learned something with this kind of innovative watch... you should not jump on the first one, but take your time, because you might face some issues. I had a few, since then totally solved.
I just couldn't wait, I had to get one, and it was not that easy to secure one. These issues are also a part of the story I wrote with this watch.
What I didn't tell you is that this Sonata is one of my " fetish watches ". 8 days after buying it, I wanted to try it during a tough case to plead, in a court located in the east of France and to give it a " baptism of fire ". And it proved to be a very good one, at that game!
The Lawyer's shot:
So it is not only a good companion, a great travel watch ( with its dual time you can set forward and backward ) a very original and quite unique alarm ( Patek came with the same idea a few years ago and Harry Winston some years after the Sonata ) as it chimes like a minute repeater on one gong and you can set it on 24 hours, and, cherry on the cake, a " lucky watch ".
I now understand why it was one of Rolf Schnyder's favorite watches!
Credit: Ulysse Nardin for the photo, Rolf for the wrist:
Along with the Freak, the Astronomical Set and the Perpetual Calendar, one of the watches which will always have a place apart in a collection, and in my heart.
Definitely a true Ulysse Nardin!
Best,
Nicolas
Comments:
Weems@8 July 22nd, 2023-21:01
A beautiful Sonata Happy birthday Sonata. Rolf his birthday is not long away. When i got my first UN. You will be the first person that i will show my first UN. But i want only a Omega CK859 enrich my wrist before i buy other watches anyway. So after my Omega CK859 purchase...
stabilizer July 22nd, 2023-23:19
Achingly gorgeous and super cool Congrats on such a great journey with this one
KCLQMULKU July 23rd, 2023-06:45
What a wonderful post, and great watch! I do enjoy hearing about the stores behind each watch journey! What were/are your thoughts on the titanium iteration of this piece?
amanico July 23rd, 2023-19:55
I prefer the original, but I can't deny some appeal to this more modern looking one.
KCLQMULKU July 23rd, 2023-20:23
I agree. The new version looks almost like a different watch. A little on the flamboyant side (which is not a bad thing), not as pure as the original, but still a treat to see (and I am sure to wear).
amanico July 24th, 2023-07:49
Yes, I was even tempted to get this one, in addition to the original!
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