Ulysse Nardin Unveils In-House Caliber UN-118

When ships were the only way to cross the seas and the voyage was treacherous, many lost their lives simply because they became lost. On October 22, 1707, four British Men 'O War sank just off the Cornish Coast, 2000 men were lost, because they did not know their longitude.

Finding a precise timekeeping instrument was a matter of life and death. (read about the Longitude Act  of 1714)

In the current economical ebb and flow finding a perfect time keeping instrument has more to do with the success of a company than "Men 'O Wars" sinking off coastlines.  In today's treacherous sea of competition, finding the perfect timekeeping instrument will ensure companies stay afloat. Now you may be wondering why I am stressing sea terminology, I mean this is not a nautical blog, but when it comes to reviewing a Ulysee Nardin Watch, my mind immediately takes to the open sea.  - Read about the role Ulysse Nardin played in the success of Marine Chronometers.

Now Ulysee Nardin has embarked on another voyage with newly appointed Patrik Hoffman at the helm.  Ulysee Nardin, the first brand to introduce components made from artificial diamond grown on silicon or DIAMonSil, unveiled its groundbreaking in-house Caliber UN-118.  Aside for this movements model of timekeeping efficiency,  thanks to the constant innovation efforts of Ulysse Nardin and Sigatec (Sion, Switzerland), Caliber UN-118 can be produced on a large enough scale to power 70 percent of its watches.  Sigatec is one of the most technologically advanced companies in terms of nanotechnology with the capability of creating watch components in both Silicium and DIAMonSIL.

 Caliber UN-118, containing 248 pieces,  is a culmination of many years of research.  The Caliber UN-118  comprises of an in-house-produced and patented DIAMonSIL escapement and an in-house-produced oscillator, patented in 2007,  adjustable with four screws and affixed with a silicium 1.1.1 hairspring.

 The movement is a certified Chronometer (not to be confused with a seafarers instrument - difference explained below ) and is equipped with a  power reserve of 60 hours.

After many years of hearing about watch components comprising of Silicium and Diamond on Silicon, it is a true breakthrough to finally see this groundbreaking technology used prolifically.


Distinction Between Marine Chronometer and C.O.S.C. 

A Marine Chronometer is not the same term used for a Chronometer today -A "chronometer" in today's term is a high-precision watch capable of displaying the seconds and housing a movement that has been tested over several days, in different positions and at different temperatures, by an official neutral body (COSC).
Each movement is individually measured. Any watch with the denomination "chronometer" is provided with a certified movement by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres, the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute or the C.O.S.C. All of Ulysse Nardin's Timepieces which carry the title Chronometer have been tested by the C.O.S.C and given the title of Chronometer.

The Ulysse Nardin Monaco YS Maxi Marine Diver

The latest creation from Ulysse Nardin brings to mind waves crashing against the immense looming hull of a pirate's ship. Tattered sails whip around in screaming winds as sea farers grip the mast. Ulysse Nardin is a Company with deep ties to the ocean.

This particular model was crafted with Prince Albert of Monaco ,an avid environmentalist, in mind. Prince Albert latest mission is to protect the Mediterranean Bluefin Tuna from overfishing by getting it added to the Endangered Species List.

The watch is essentially a redressed Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine Diver Watch 

However the Monaco YS is fiercely black crafted from DLC or Diamond Like Carbon. A coating of DLC can dramatically increase the lifetime of the underlying steel. A dusty rose gold ring surrounds the sub dial below the hands, reminiscent of a life ring thrust out to sea into the flailing arms of the man overboard. Within the ring "Monaco" is branded in a fiery red.

The hands are dipped in gray colored lume which glow in dark adverse conditions. The watch is powered by a UN Caliber 26 automatic Chronometer.

Only 100 pieces of the Ulysse Nardin Monaco YS Marine Diver will be available for purchase.

Another luxury watch company goes mobile!

Ulysse Nardin has partnered with SCI Innovations to create a smart phone. We only have a glimpse of this creation as the full extent of its glory will be unveiled at Basel World 2009. What we have uncovered is that the phone, dubbed "The Chairman" is not only smart, but green. "The Chairman" utilizes environmentally- friendly kinetic technology inspired by the winding mechanism of an automatic mechanical watch. I am not sure how this will work as the phone is not strapped to ones wrist, but the mechanics I am sure are fascinating. The phone will be able to operate on any of the global communications networks. The aesthetics of the phone is as intriguing as the inner workings, the partial view in the above image only wets our appetite for more. The phone has an exhibition window in which the guilloche engraved energy-driven kinetic rotor is revealed.

The Ulysse Nardin Smart Phone is a limited edition of 1846 smart phones, the date where ...

In 1846, a young boy of 23 years old settled in Le Locle to create his own chronometers. His name - Ulysse Nardin, and he was a technical genius. He had a wealth of experience too as he had worked under the intense guidance of Federic-William Dubois, a renowned specialist in the manufacturing of marine chronometers and astronomic watches. Although, Ulysse Nardin worked on his marine chronometers 1000 miles above sea level, his heart was at sea...

Tag Heuer has also delved into the phone market with its Meridiist phone and the official launch of its website dedicated to the Meridiist. The seven phone models are introduced to the public, displaying all the phones features and components.

Ulysse Nardin anchors itself in the World of Horology

Brief History of the role Ulysse Nardin played in the success of Marine Chronometers.

When ships were the only way to cross the seas and the voyage was treacherous, many lost their lives simply because they became lost. On October 22, 1707, four British Men 'O War sank just off the Cornish Coast, 2000 men were lost, because they did not know their longitude.

Finding a precise timekeeping instrument was a matter of life and death.

Man's struggle to determine longitude spanning four centuries, fueled the inventions of precise timekeepers. Timepieces which lost time, lost men at sea, as they were unable to calculate their location, and wandered among invisible lines of longitude, weaving in and out of degrees.


Click here to learn about the Longitude Act of 1714

Ulysse Nardin FREAK

Through decades and decades of intense research and experimentation, and through much trials and tribulations, marine chronometers were introduced. The precision and the resilience of a marine chronometer was of the utmost importance: A life line between a sea captain and the success of his voyage. The instrument had to be precise to the half a second, if not, death and destruction to the entire ship was possible. You see, at the equator, a single second off, correlates to an error of 463 meters. 463 could mean sailing in deep waters or being ripped to shreds on jagged coastal rocks.

In 1846, a young boy of 23 years old settled in Le Locle to create his own chronometers. His name - Ulysse Nardin, and he was a technical genius. He had a wealth of experience too as he had worked under the intense guidance of Federic-William Dubois, a renowned specialist in the manufacturing of marine chronometers and astronomic watches. Although, Ulysse Nardin worked on his marine chronometers 1000 miles above sea level, his heart was at sea, and his chronometers quickly became known as an instrument to depend on. In the 1800's when industry burgeoned and goods were being moved at an increasing rate around the globe, people realized the importance of keeping their fleets safe. More and more people purchased Ulysse Nadin's marine chronometers. The instruments were shipped from Basel down the river Rhine to the toll ships which sailed across the furious seas.

As life depended on the precision of the marine chronometers, the House of Ulysse Nardin regularly submitted their Marine Chronometers to the Neuchtel and Geneva Observatories where they were subjected to rigorous testing. Each Chronometer underwent 9 tests each lasting 7 days, where they were exposed to temperatures of 36,28,20,12 and 4 degrees, then again 12, 20,28, 36 degrees. These tests were designed to examine the resiliency of the chronometers in extreme conditions such as what the chronometers may experience in the harsh realities of time spent at sea.
Ulysse Nardin's Marine Chronometers excelled at the tests and their development of such fine and precise instruments were honored with the highest possible extinction throughout the world.
With these Marine Chronometers Sea Captains could rest assured that there sea vessel remained on course and the safety of all on board could be certain. Ulysse Nardin's Chronometers were installed in over 50 navies on 5 continents. In addition the company claimed over 4300 1st prizes and 18 gold medals at world fairs and international exhibitions.

As the world becomes increasingly advanced satellites have replaced the marine chronometer, the sextant and other navigation instruments; however Ulysse Nardin's timepieces are sought after by collectors and watch lovers alike. It is no wonder that the company sports the ships anchor as their logo. It could be said that when a ship was floundering within murky misty waters off the rocky coast of Africa, a Ulysse Nardin Chronometer would anchor the vessel in a moment of precise time and the vessel would continue its secure unhindered voyage along its precise predetermined longitude.

A Marine Chronometer is not the same term used for a Chronometer today -A "chronometer" in today's term is a high-precision watch capable of displaying the seconds and housing a movement that has been tested over several days, in different positions and at different temperatures, by an official neutral body (COSC).
Each movement is individually measured. Any watch with the denomination "chronometer" is provided with a certified movement by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres, the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute or the C.O.S.C. All of Ulysse Nardin's Timepieces which carry the title Chronometer have been tested by the C.O.S.C and given the title of Chronometer.

Ulysse Nardin timepieces are not only incredibly precise, but exquisite. The vivid colors are the result of perfected enameling techniques. A technique which Ulysse Nardin has brought back from the brink of extinction. The subject of enameling will be discussed at a later date.


Today Ulysse Nardin is at the forefront of discovering the ultimate watch component materials able to withstand friction, magnetic fields, temperature changes, humidity, pressure changes and shocks while increasing wear resistance and decreasing the need for lubrication. Ulysse Nardin also focuses on reducing the weight of the component while increasing efficiency and power reserve. Water, Dust and Vapor resistance is also plays a major role in research.


One of its major watch component breakthroughs was the DIAMonSIL Freak, which was the first watch of its kind equipped with a synthetic nanocrystal diamond escapement grown on a silicium raw part. The watch component is a technological breakthrough to be produced in abundance as part of in-house Caliber 118.