Comments:
Here's a photo of the Marine Tourbillion taken from Monochrome. The enamel dials are gorgeous. UN is carving out a nice niche with the use of enamel on the dials of the Marine watches.
Hopefully you can see the straight anchor on the logos in this marginal photo. Marine Regatta on the left and Marine Tourbillion on the right. It's still an attractive logo.
Good catch but it shouldn't be a show stopper by any stretch imo. M4
As can be seen from the two different UN Executive Skeleton Tourbillons here (from GPHG and A Blog to Watch, respectively). Since you put pic of the rotor of the regatta, just for comparison's sake, here's the rotor for the annual calendar (Escapement Magazine), which I think, was made just a bit earlier.
You can see the italicised UN logo plus italicised/slanted anchors on either side of the logo.
Change in Logo and A Question of Dials
Good day to all.
I don't really log on to this stie often but stop by every now and then. A big thank you to all of you who do spend time putting up posts on interesting matters, particularly about date windows in UN watches.
A somewhat inconsequential post this, but am wondering, since you guys do pick up on the minutiae of a date window, what thoughts are out there, if any, about the change of the UN logo from a slanted anchor to a straight anchor. Incidentally, the rotor also reflects this change, i.e., where the rotor has an anchor on either side of it, the slanted anchor is also replaced by a straight acnhor. For what it's worth, I thought the slanted anchor was unique (as the straight anchor are used by other brands as part of their logo), and the slanted anchor rotor somehow looked better. Maybe it's because I have only known UN with the slanted anchor logo.
On the question of dials, I was originally eyeing the Marine Tourbillon Grand Feu, and came across the Marine Quantieme Annuel (QA) Chronograph Grand Feu, and I know that these are quite different watches at different price points, but I am somewhat really smitten by the QA chrono's dial. Both are great watches, yet I am tempted to go with the QA chrono because of the dial. I find it immensely beautiful in terms of the blue "print"(sorry, don't know if there is proper term for the numerals et al that appear on the dial), with the red detail, heat-blued hands, and the railroad minute rail being inset instead of out-set (not sure if my description is correct, but if you compare the 2 dials, you will know what I mean). Has anyone seen both in the flesh, and if so, what are your thoughts about the dials? I ask about having seen them "in the flesh" because I find that pictures don't do justice to an enamel dial; I reckon it has to be seen in the flesh to truly see the beauty of an enamel dial.
As I said, somewhat inconsequential, as both questions relate very much to a matter of personal taste ultimately, but just thought I'd hear some views, if there any.
About the date thing mentioned earlier, was just kidding. 
Have a great weekend ahead.
I hadn't even noticed the logo change . . .
. . . and will have to check out my two UN Marine watches, both from 2017, to see what logo is on the rotor. I don't have a strong feeling either way as the watches are exceptional in virtually every way.
The Marine Annual Calendar is a fantastic looking watch. I own and adore the UN Marine Tourbillion, but would add the Annual Calendar in a heartbeat if I had the funds. I'm the opposite of you, though, in that one of the attractions of the tourbillion for me is the black "print" rather than blue "print." It's purely personal preference.
Here's a photo of the Marine Tourbillion taken from Monochrome. The enamel dials are gorgeous. UN is carving out a nice niche with the use of enamel on the dials of the Marine watches.
So, go get the Marine Annual Calendar! You can't go wrong.
Cheers,
M4
Thanks for your thoughts and recommendation, M4.
Like you, if I had more funds; I'd take both in a heartbeat and not agonise for one over the other. I'll drop a note here to let you know what I end up with.
I'll drop a note here to let you know what I end up with.
The new straight anchor logo ...
... was internationally registered in January 2017, so it is consequential to be in use on all products since then. I assume it was chosen to express more symmetry than the slanted anchor.
Marcus
Marcus
Go for the Tourbillon. The Annual Calendar is cool, but the Tourbillon is, in my opinion, a step above. [nt]
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You are right that the Tourbillon is indeed a step above.
Thanks for the recommendation; I guess I need another visit to my AD here in Doha to have a second look for a decision.
You're right about the logo.
Hopefully you can see the straight anchor on the logos in this marginal photo. Marine Regatta on the left and Marine Tourbillion on the right. It's still an attractive logo.
Good catch but it shouldn't be a show stopper by any stretch imo. M4
Definitely not a show-stopper, but an interesting change from UN...
...I guess reflecting a "slight" change in the philosophy/direction of the company? The logo on the front changes as well from the italicised anchor to the straight anchor.
As can be seen from the two different UN Executive Skeleton Tourbillons here (from GPHG and A Blog to Watch, respectively). Since you put pic of the rotor of the regatta, just for comparison's sake, here's the rotor for the annual calendar (Escapement Magazine), which I think, was made just a bit earlier.
You can see the italicised UN logo plus italicised/slanted anchors on either side of the logo.
Thanks again for your comments and time in dropping a reply.
Thanks.
Just a side note . . . I've seen the Executive Tourbillion in person and it's darn nice. I liked it much more in person than I ever imagined.
Looking forward to your photos when the day comes.
M4
Looking forward to your photos when the day comes.
M4
Pulled the trigger...
...and picked up the Quantieme Annuel Grand Feu chronograph. I will have to save the Tourbillon Grand Feu, or maybe the Executive Skeleton Tourbillon, for the next UN purchase. But, very happy with the chronograph. The Grand Feu enamel dial is really something different. Obviously, having heat-blued steel hands, the blue print on the dial works very well with the hands, and the red month marker and date are indeed wonderful little accents (as mentioned by a reviewer's article posted on watchcollectinglifestyle.com), and the classical style of the seconds and chronograph minute counter hands (I don't know if there is a specific name for it, but the hand with a kind of counterbalance extension opposite to the indication point of the hand - sorry, limited knowledge of watches here) fits really well with the whole design and layout of the dial.
The presence of a date window here is less "obvious" compared to the non-grand feu dial annual chronograph given the absence of the 12-hour chronograph counter. Noticeably unique is the inset of the minutes' railroad (in finer lines comparatively to other dials) with the triangles at the indices "outset" from the railroad. It's the first I have dial I have seen from UN Marine watch being presented in this manner, but then, I may not have seen enough UN marine watches in my life (yet). But, I do wish I could watch the tourbillon movement ticking away..... I can understand why you love that Grand Feu Tourbillon piece that you have. Well, generally speaking, hard not to love a UN watch once you've known it.
I can understand why you love that Grand Feu Tourbillon piece that you have. Well, generally speaking, hard not to love a UN watch once you've known it.Thanks again for your posts.
Is the logo change really significant or just a marketing decision? [nt]
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Not just a marketing decision as I understand it
The logo change seems to have started when Kering acquired UN, and is reflective of the change in strategy and philosophy intended for the future.
Perhaps the movement of the CEOs, mentioned in a different thread, is also a reflection of this development. I am better acquainted with other types of businesses than the luxury watch segment, so hard to see what the changes are/will be, but one thing I do pick up is the number new/re-issued watches released first in steel only. Again, perhaps I have not seen enough UN watches, but from the time I have been acquainted with this brand, it was normal to see UN watches coming out in rose gold, white gold, platinum, etc. before the steel version followed. Perhaps that is a reflection of the general luxury mechanical watch market in that the precious metals/materiel were/are pricing the watches out of reach of too many segments of market.
Interestingly, for example, besides being released in steel only so far, the latest GMT perpetual dual time, the classic dual time, Marine Torpilleur do not have luminescent material on the hands. I am not sure if that is due to an operational efficiency/cost reason - I think those better acquainted with watches and their production thereof will have a better idea. At the end of the day, UN is a business, and like any business, it has to not just survive, but continue to grow in line with its market.
I admire the guys who do the strategy and planning in the luxury goods area; human nature is as fickle as the weather and luxury "desires" that have sustained for eons may no longer be that way in the future (e.g. smartwatches, millenials).
Anyway, the speculative future is discussed at the other thread re the CEO change.
For now, I am just enjoying the ones I have - and just acquired - and looking forward to more from UN, even with a straight anchor being used to steady the ship.
Thanks for your posts.
The lack of luminous material is certainly not a cost decision ...
... but a decision for and against a specific style. The Torpilleur hands follows the classic standard of marine chronometers and deck watches. while the hands with luminous material have been designed by Raimondo Brenni and where a signature design element when the first UN marine chronometer wirstiwatch was released for the 150th anniversary.
Marcus
Marcus
Luminous hands were not introduced for the 150th Marine Chronometer.
Hands are blued steel.
Possibly luminous hands came in with the series production piece in SS and with square date window? [nt]
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You are correct, of course. Sorry for the confucion. Here is Brenni's original design study ..
... for the new (unlimited) Marine Chronometer:
Marcus
Marcus
Thanks for your insights, Marcus and Russell. Very much appreciated, and Marcus, FYI, your 2003 article was the reason I ended up buying...
...my first UN, which was a Maxi Marine chronometer. And your later article (2004, I think?) in 3 parts on the GMT perpetual... Thanks again.
Thanks again.