Ulysse Nardin

As many of you know by now,I was lucky enough to acquire one of my long lasting love recently,not only a regular version,but a Silicium Sonata,with peculiar red hands.A very strong look ,but still charming and so romantic at the same time.
At first I was a bit doubtful about it,but after 5 minutes handling it ,I was convinced that this watch was for me.

Here are some refreshing shots,but where to start from?
Aaaah yes,nothing like owning and playing with a watch that is yours can give you that feeling of "understanding "it.It happened before with my JLC Duometre a Quantieme Lunaire,but this time......well this time everyday its a revelation...you all well know the tech feature of this beauty but let me recap:
So where to start from?
Its an alarm.......not only an alarm,but..an alarm that can be set for 24 hours(backwards and forwards!!)with a clever countdown subdial,very handy to tell if you set your alarm at 7am or 7 pm

And most of all an alarm that sounds like.......a repeater,just sublime....here is a close up of the beautiful regulator,that gives such a pleasure dial side,when it spins its just a joy to see this little shimmering pool......

Look at the hammer,what a beauty to watch but most of all to listen to......

Then as friendly as an alarm can be,what about teaming it up with a dual time indicator and a big date?Which of course you can set back or forward.

And don t forget that you can set those devilishly hand back or forward just with the help of the pushers on both sides of the sensual case.

Talking about the case,it might not be everybodys taste,but to me it is one of the main attraction to this watch,its what defines UN at its best,so nautical,romantic,sculptural,it gives the watch its strong yet charming look....a presence on the wrist.....

I was lucky enough to land a silicium version,I am really happy about it,about the fact that a daring brand like UN was one of the first to use a whole silicium escapement,a daring watch,from a visionary brand.
The use of silicium was not just for the heart of the watch but also for the beautiful plate on the dial,pics do no justice to it ,its a jewel...look.

Those red hands ,that I doubted at first,are indeed the other main aesthetical feature of this Sonata,together with the case,they are laqured to pefection,luscious,deep,rich red,they look soo good....red is the colour of lust,love,temptation.....I like to call this Sonata the "Sonata Diavolo"to use a term dear to UN.....

I love nautical theme watches,and with this Sonata I couldn t ask for more....
White,Blue and Red,the best colours to represent UN on this fantastic watch,colours that are reminiscing and that I dreamt of for long time,I couldn t be happier.......

I hope you enjoed it...
Mo

You're in love with the Sonata? It will become more and more important for you, with time passing...

You said it very well: Seeing it is one thing, using it is another thing, but living with it is a totally different experience.

When you write your common story...

Thanks for this love song, my friend.

Best,

Nicolas

Definitely here for the long term...... a poetic watch,soon we will take pics together...

Mo

The Sonata is one of UN's most seductive watches.  The red hands add to the allure.  Real happy for you on this one Mo.

BTW, I cannot recall if you already told us, what was this ultra small run issued for?  Is it in connection with a certain boutique or dealer?

I hope to see it in person, one day!

I know you like this Sonata and thank you for the constant kind words...

Well originally 5 were ordered by a big UN collector for a Puerto Rico boutique,but only 3 were produced.

Its part of the 200 Silicium bunch so they are not 1/3 2/3 3/3....basically of the 200 silicium 197 are the regular prod and 3 have red hands...

Luckily enough I met the 2 other owners,its such a strange peculiar story....but you will never know ,I might tell this story in years to come....

Mo

and this one has some charm that others dont have.

enjoy Mo,

regards,

Eddy

thanks for the nice words,UN world is a fascinating one as you might well know....next target.....a freak but which one?need time to save though....

Mo

Enjoy your very special timepiece. You and I know just how much nicer the Silicium version is over the regular Sonata. This is not an easy piece to get a glimpse of.  I think those of us who have seen it knew right away that this was much nicer than a regular Sonata.

I did had the opportunity to see the new Sonata Streamline but I was not impressed with it.   Maybe it will grow on me but the Silicium was "love at first sight"

but to be able to have a silicium is a treat.

You are right the "streamline"doesn t have the same appeal at all,too bulky,to sporty,not romantic enough.........

Mo

To be definitely sure.

Even if I am sure I won't trade my Sonata for the new one!

Best,

Nicolas

but to be frank,I know for sure that it s not a watch for me,not enough soul...not compared to the original.

I would like to see it in metal,,,well more to "hear "it in metal

Mo

But, for a Sonata lover, it is a mandatory experience to see the new opus in the flesh.

Best,

Nicolas

from the day you first presented your new catch to us.

From Nicolas' pictures I started to really discover and like this Sonata and, 2 weeks ago,  I just had the chance to see one in an AD. The guy hardly knew how it worked but I heard it for 2 or 3 seconds and now I understand better when people talk about a crystal sound.

The version I saw had yellow hands and seemed to be a Silicium too.

I was nicely surprised to see how it fitted well to the wrist regarding its thickness.

I'm very happy for you and hope to hear about it very often !

Congratz and thanks for the beautiful pics by the way

Cheers,

Mark

PS : it would be nice to hear it is we could integrate a video of the forum but I don't know if it's technically possible :p

Yellow hands with a blue dial is not a silicium.  Only White and Red that I know of although the original pre-production model shown at the Basel show did have Yellow hands.

No message body

really appreciate it,

yes the "Sonata"is areal treat for the eyes and ears.

I will try to post a video too......thanks again.

Mo

companion.

beautiful write up of a wonderful piece.

been following your romantic journey with your JLC pieces and now this so I have to wonder, what's next? I think UN can be quite the dangerous minefield. Very nice pieces but they're the type that require time to appreciate as their designs are not exactly "easily accessible". But, man, once you're hooked, you're hooked.

 

Good question....it seemed like I had no more goals a year ago,if you ask me today,well at least 10 15 watches in the wish list,and.....a few from UN,first of all the mighty Freak,but these days it requires a lot of savings.....

 

Well its all in the hount,,but in our case also in the catch!

Cheers Echi

Mo

but I was playing with it on Mon evening

The sound is great..!!

See you soon my friend...the beach volleyball was amazing

Yours,

Andy.

thanks for the quick visit.Always a pleasure....

Two words.... Amazing photo

Three words.... I WANT ONE!

As you know Mo, I love this UN and if you ever get bored you know where to come. I think the red hands look amazing and the mix with the blue details and silicium looks out of this world. I liked the original but I think the red gives it something really special, a great addition to your collection. 

I look forward to getting the chance to play with it again but next time in a quiet room so that I can fully appreciate its sound.

Cheers
Andrew

thanks for the kind words...I will get back to you soon,it looks like we will have a little tour to take....