Ulysse Nardin

Since late last year, I embarked on a new quest, which is to acquire some hidden gems from the early 2000’s, a period which in my opinion is the last time when horology really fired on all cylinders, creating some remarkable unique and functional references.
This UN GMT perpetual dual time is one of them.
I admired it since launch, but as is the case mostly, it wasn’t attainable for me at the time.


Well, all that changed now, since this days collectors are interested in other things so this “marvels”, and I really mean it, can still be acquired for a song and a dance(relatively speaking).

There’s not much to not like other than being different(something that we are all looking for),legible with lots of detail and a to top it all a chronometer, therefore super accurate!
It has a 42mm x13.5mm case which might scare some people away, but I can assure you, it fits and fills perfect on the wrist(back then, brands cared about ergonomics)!
It’s a “limited edition of 500”, okay, okay, not so limited I suppose, but this one is, due to the fact that it’s a complete-complete set with chronometer test results and certificate, which is not so common with a twenty-three years old watch…
Also it’s very versatile, in my opinion, being at home with a dress or jeans, so true travel companion.
I hope you enjoy my quick pictures, on this wonderful sunny Saturday!




P.S. Did I mentioned it’s Platinum?

Many congratulations, Zsolt.

It is substantial, but I love platinum and its weight…
It might substitute my Rolex GMTII’s as travel companion…

I remember you posting it back in the day and I was secretly jealous))
That blue strap on yours, brings out the beautiful blue hands of the watch!
The only dilemma I have is that on this one, there’s no reference to the water resistance, however the white gold is showed 50m

P.S. Sonata is next)))

I want a solid case back first generation…

I used to have a couple from around 2010-2012 but have let them go. Am I missing the leap year indicator? I don’t see one. Congratulations 👌

You should’ve kept them,.
Thank you for the kind words!

Cartier Rotonde de Cartier Jour et Nuit

While looking at your gems, I instantly noticed something that is missing in today’s horology:
Each house had their own identity, each had distinctive designs and personality, in contrary to the modern direction where most focus on blue dials, green dials and similar cases!
Also one can easily notice the harmony between the dial and case proportions, not to mention moment and complications. All different…!
A bygone era…
Thank you for showing me this beauties of yours.

Best,
Zsolt.

Great shots!

I like the useful complication of the perpetual calendar, with an unusual(at the time), approach and the worry free adjustment forward or backward.
Ohh yes, UN designers definitely weren’t cheap with the platinum here))

From when they were making incredibly interesting watches in the Rolf Schnyder era.

They created some insane horological marvels.
I wish they would return to this lineage, while I know that was an end of an era…
Thank you , let’s keep our hopes up

And the whole package (dial pattern and layout, case shape) is very well done.

Indeed it’s well thought out watch from UN.

A true horological heavyweight and I fully agree with you - from an era when the industry was really still firing on all cylinders 👏🏻👍🏻

Brand identity, depth, ergonomics, materials, reliability, all at play in that bygone era!
I just can’t rationalize how a one trick pony modern independent can compete with this…?

Variant. 

I like that model too!
Hope you wear it a lot…

NT