GP Opera 3 vs. UN The Stranger Music Box

A music box strikes two strings, in my opinion: Nostalgy and Magic.

Who, among us, was never in awe when listening to and admiring a music box?

The nostalgy of some tender moments from our childhood, the magic of the melody, born in the mysterious music box.

In the modern horological world ( I don't know the vintage world enough to tell that it was never made with Pocket watches ), two brands distinguished themselves in this domain.

Chronologically speaking, Girard Perregaux, in 2003, with the Opera 3, and 10 years after, Ulysse Nardin, with The Stranger.





The Girard Perregaux is not only the first, it is the most sophisticated one, with the choice between two melodies, Mozart ( A Little Night Music ) or Tchaikovsky ( Swan Lake ), while the Ulysse Nardin offers only one, the famous Franck Sinatra's song Stranger in the Night. You'd better like Franck Sinatra!

Therefore, the Opera 3 has a smaller case ( 43 mm ) and in white metal ( Platinum, or White Gold ) when the Ulysse Nardin is only available in rose gold and is 2 mm biger. For the moment, as I don't see Ulysse Nardin not releasing a Watch of this kind in a white metal, and with another melody.

A last point, the Opera 3 has a see through case back showing the mechanism playing the melody, while The Stranger has a solid case back, the " show being located on the dial side.



Horologically speaking, I prefer the Opera 3. Having the choice to admire the " music box system " or not is a big plus for me, like the Tourbillon. The White metal case is another argument, as well as the choice between two melodies.

But these arguments / assets have a price... For 5 to 6 times less expensive, The Stranger is a pure beauty, a magic one. In white metal, that could be a very dangerous and tempting Watch!

What is your opinion on those two?

Best,

Nicolas