Ulysse Nardin

Dave G
2035

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I like them all, but...

The Freak is a piece that through the evolutions maintains it's core DNA.  I really like all the variations, which is something I can't say about a lot of other long running models, irrespective of Brand.

Overall, I like the modern, smoothed look of the cruiser.  I like the escapement better as well.  I'm undecided on the colored bezel insert and could probably do without it, but I appreciate it is part of the modern feel.

I do not like the size of the new models at 44mm+.  I really appreciate my original Freak at 42mm, and even at that size, it is a big chunk of gold.  Also, I just don't like the lock, or more precisely the printing on the lock, whether it says 28,800, Diavolo, Blue Phantom, or Blue Cruiser, I personally think it cheapens the piece a bit.

The integrated strap all the way back to original looks great, but is always a bit of a pet peeve with me as it makes strap choices very restrictive.

The watch works for me without a second hand given what it is (excepting the orbital tourbillon version) and I like its minimalism, which seems so complex (does that phrase work?).

The pin holding the movement that pierces the sapphire crystal doesn't bother me.  The newer versions that don't have this are clearly better, but I think it adds to the slightly "steampunk" feel of the original...at least when it first came out.

I bought one of the first pieces (low double digit serial number) back in 2002.  At that time the retail price was less than $28K.  It seemed like a lot to me then, but now I see what a great buy it was.

I watched for a number of years with apprehension around the escapement bugs of version 1.  Wondered (and worried) a bit if my piece would need to return to the factory for a complete retrofitting and become a version 1.5 as it became known.  I expect the upgrades were better, but I still feel fortunate that my piece remains original and functions without issue some 13 years later.  This period of time was interesting and given the ground breaking nature of the piece, didn't make me question or resent UN, only feel a bit like a test pilot with a precious new device.  I got one of the first Duometres (actually two in a month) that had issues and didn't feel quite the same way...albeit the Manufacture was brilliant and resolved immediately.

Lastly, this is THE watch that really started by obsession.  I was a collector before, but this put me in a different league in so many ways.  It also started a long relationship with an AD and a collection of UN pieces that I really cherish.

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