Comments:
Improvement ideas for Ulysse Nardin
We recently had a good conversation regarding the current direction of a brand many of us have dear to the heart. It was rather unanimous that UN has come off the rails these past 10 years +/-.
So, what are our ideas for improvement?
Many agree the insistence to use the X and rectangle on so many watches is a big mistake. So starting there, PLEASE, make some new watches that exclude these very polarizing design elements.
I would like to see some Arabic numerals used again.
How about you? Please post your thoughts. I will be emailing both threads to one of my contacts at the brand after we have had time to discuss. Maybe we will even arrive at a special WatchProSite edition after our ideas come out...
I have a few suggestions.
1. Agree they should get rid of the recent X/Square motif.
2. Add Arabic numerals as you suggest to the Marine 42mm line.
3. Make an executive decision to chop the Executive collection. Or, at least rename it to something more evocative of your clientele for these. I typed in a suggestion but deleted it as I don’t want to be rude on this forum. Few (actually no) “executives” I know would be caught dead wearing one of these.
4. Highlight and better market your high end complications as a brand halo - they really are something.
4. Focus again on unique mechanical innovations. Without that, you lose your brand identity.
Here’s hoping you survive and prosper.
Step 1 is is acknowledging you had a bad hangover from inhaling I don’t know what, for the past few years and step 2 is rehabilitation.
2. Add Arabic numerals as you suggest to the Marine 42mm line.
3. Make an executive decision to chop the Executive collection. Or, at least rename it to something more evocative of your clientele for these. I typed in a suggestion but deleted it as I don’t want to be rude on this forum. Few (actually no) “executives” I know would be caught dead wearing one of these.
4. Highlight and better market your high end complications as a brand halo - they really are something.
4. Focus again on unique mechanical innovations. Without that, you lose your brand identity.
Here’s hoping you survive and prosper.
Step 1 is is acknowledging you had a bad hangover from inhaling I don’t know what, for the past few years and step 2 is rehabilitation.
Some excellent suggestions here, couldn't agree more.
UN is one of my favorite brands as well but I don't feel like spending any money on anything from their actual collection either.
With that in mind and for a start (more to follow)
I'd be careful with roman numerals on anything sportive (divers etc...).
I'd either get rid of or seriously redesign those rubber straps, at least the bold metal links on them.
I'd be especially careful with those bold overcontrasty color combinations (see below) and leave that to other, cheaper brands.
Just stop doing anything that looks even remotely chinese dollar store. Keep it classy.
(I wouldn't touch any of those watches with a 10ft flag pole. YMMV. )
(I wouldn't touch any of those watches with a 10ft flag pole. YMMV. )
Thats funny because I LOVE those two watches. Especially the black and orange. Dive watches should be rather bold.
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Just too much going on for my old taste, even for someone who loves bold orange divers (and keeps dreaming of a mango diver)..
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I generally agree, but I love both that bracelet and rubber strap with links.
I prefer smooth rubber, not patterned, but that setup is superbly comfortable. I would further request they never, ever again stamp LIMITED EDITION or any other garbage on a strap link though. Nothing could be lamer, IMO. The UN name and logo are fine.
I think they have something with the Marine Torpilleur.
WE can start from there, put an enamel dial, no eaten 6, 42 mm case...
Aaah, one thing, they launched a few good watches these last ten years, such as these Marine above, or this Marine Tourbillon below!
Best, my friend.
Aaah, one thing, they launched a few good watches these last ten years, such as these Marine above, or this Marine Tourbillon below!
Best, my friend.
Deleting small second or...
Ad some Marine Torpilleur with a big second hand.
Their sea sail heritage of the old timing gauges is a separated seconds dial.
Can they step off of it?
Their sea sail heritage of the old timing gauges is a separated seconds dial.
Can they step off of it?
After I bought another microbrand diver this week, a UN Marine Diver (small second and the rest) is #1 on my shortlist now. It's been sitting on that list too long already, high time to go hunting.
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Old list of mine
When i made a list a few years ago.
It was a list of my first automatic watch diver.
Actually i bought in the past a quartz Seiko watch with diving aspirations, but in my view that is no real watch, but a time keeper with to much problems.
A long story short i made a list with in my view real automatics from established brands like IWC, UN, Omega, Blancpain, and i think the affordable brand Ball.
The UN chronometer diver in blue was a watch i love to look at magazines. I searched for good AD’s, grey dealers.
The price was varying from 5,5K to a 8K.
The expensively priced peaces where not far away, and guess the 5,5K and 6K at smoggy locations of smoggy grey dealers.
Than the Omega Seamaster 300 diver came above and i found a reliable grey dealer, and i took the plunge.
It was a good decision which i never regret.
Conclusion, i skipped the UN.
But i skipped also the IWC aquatimer and Blancpain Fifty Fathoms and the Ball which i forgot the name.
Now the UN is something when coincidence happen i wil buy if the price is nice at a good local AD.
It was a list of my first automatic watch diver.
Actually i bought in the past a quartz Seiko watch with diving aspirations, but in my view that is no real watch, but a time keeper with to much problems.
A long story short i made a list with in my view real automatics from established brands like IWC, UN, Omega, Blancpain, and i think the affordable brand Ball.
The UN chronometer diver in blue was a watch i love to look at magazines. I searched for good AD’s, grey dealers.
The price was varying from 5,5K to a 8K.
The expensively priced peaces where not far away, and guess the 5,5K and 6K at smoggy locations of smoggy grey dealers.
Than the Omega Seamaster 300 diver came above and i found a reliable grey dealer, and i took the plunge.
It was a good decision which i never regret.
Conclusion, i skipped the UN.
But i skipped also the IWC aquatimer and Blancpain Fifty Fathoms and the Ball which i forgot the name.
Now the UN is something when coincidence happen i wil buy if the price is nice at a good local AD.
Proper suggestions.
And yes, we should not be dismissive and pretend nothing good came out these past 10 years. Definitely a few winners in there!
Not only design
I see the selling channels are a confusing machine.
While competitors make all so easy, giving discount, a good service, quick delivery, UN maybe demands AD’s to keep prices high and scared potential customers off.
If they could streamline the selling methods, this could maybe help to sell more and to survive the whirlpool watch market.
While competitors make all so easy, giving discount, a good service, quick delivery, UN maybe demands AD’s to keep prices high and scared potential customers off.
If they could streamline the selling methods, this could maybe help to sell more and to survive the whirlpool watch market.
On the plus side, some of the MSRP levels are extremely acceptable.
I would reference both the Marine Tourbillon and Freak titanium models. Beyond fair for what you receive.
Always slightly off
The freak and freakx are awesome IMO but most of their designs are slightly off to me.
I just looked at their website and was surprised at how they are still sticking to their bread and butter marine chronometer look...
And I agree that there are too few Arabic numeral watches (although I don't like Arabics). But for me who have owned maybe 5 or 6 different UNs over the years is the fact that they now seem far too obscure. Their marketing doesn't seem to have ANY cool factor owners and there doesn't seem to be any brand placement other than people I've never heard of.
If Biver was in charge of marketing this brand would be through the roof. Incredible history, incredible models from the Schneider era, the terrestrials and the freak AND a different dive watch than the often copied Submariner from Rolex. For me UN has just been poorly marketed. A great watch NOBODY knows about.
Not a fan of the X but it's only one model and lots of other to choose from. But for me a section they are missing out on is the Dive watch. Way too boring. It should be their top seller to a younger hip crowd but it's just dead in the water in the $7000 dollar range.
Bottom line for me, get some exciting brand people, get some decent product placement, bling up the dive watches and add a few Arabic numerals.
The other thing is their dual time watches need to be promoted. They may be the best/easiest dual time watches on the market.
I am lost with sharks swimming in cities, sharks swimming in space for that matter...
"Vertical Odyssey"?
Utterly diminishing to a storied brand like Ulysse Nardin. We don't need gimmicks; we need innovative and good looking products. That is it!
Utterly diminishing to a storied brand like Ulysse Nardin. We don't need gimmicks; we need innovative and good looking products. That is it!
Develop your core competencies, and work out from there.
1. More grand feu enamal from Donze Cadrans (I believe that's the name, the dial company they own)
2. continue the Marine Diver in titanium; the new case design, material and no-nonsense look is a winner to my eyes
3. more use of their newest manufacture automatic movement: put it in more watches. It's a good, large size, well decorated and great specs
4. introduce a new line of sober designs, with manufacture auto movement
5. new bracelet design; something akin to the much loved IWC pilot design from the 90s that felt like silk on the wrist.
Not certain about good ideas. Start with eliminating..
Skeletons for a while.
More Arabic nonradial numbers.
Go back for inspiration. Maybe get Ludwig back as a temporary consultant.
No diluting the Freak style with crowns,etc.
More Arabic nonradial numbers.
Go back for inspiration. Maybe get Ludwig back as a temporary consultant.
No diluting the Freak style with crowns,etc.