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Ulysse Nardin

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It is a topic that has been on my mind. I have not posted it.

 

Nicolas, you can attest to my UN passion. I really love these guys.
I don't fully agree that that current lack of excitement and appeal is all related to the losses of Rolf and Ludwig. They still have fantastic mechanisms and ingenuity. But the overall designs and details... lots of problems to my eyes. Rectangles and Xs everywhere, too many integrated lug cases, almost all Roman numerals - it is dated and boring. I would argue the Freak version I bought is the last great piece they have released (and I'll be honest - nothing earth shattering about it ((I mean it is a Freak, that IS earth shattering!!)), but otherwise just a nicely updated version of a Cruiser made more accessible to guys like me).
The Sonata is a great example - from the original release on, the "design" or evolution of the watch mostly became more unappealing each time they "updated" it. Some of them are really a disaster.
Ulysse Nardin needs a new lead designer. They have a great core of movements and all the tools in the toolbox. But my goodness, time for some new talent to grab a sketchpad and pencil and get to work.

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27 Comments view entire thread 

I can't believe I bought this nearly 19 years ago...

 
By: Dave G : February 13th, 2021-00:34
Blue before blue was cool? UN's first Blue xxx -- this one being the Max. ...  

I chased the 'blues' for a while...

 
By: Dave G : February 13th, 2021-00:46
until they became a bit gimmicky. Bought Blue Max, Blue Surf and Blue Wave all with the same serial number. Got a bit old and not creative after the first few I think. The blue movement parts on this one were quick neat at the time. Dave

+1

 
By: Cookies : February 13th, 2021-02:33
The dimples are beautiful. Somehow these older models look better to me, than the new divers they’ve released in recent times.

Stitched sofa

 
By: Zebda : February 14th, 2021-08:15
The decoration of this dial was a real challenge because what Rolf wanted was not a golf ball but a stitched sofa. Twenty years ago we did not have the current possibilities of carrying out 3D machining. several attempts have been made to transcribe this ...  

Dave, that's a perfect, blue UN!

 
By: wover : February 13th, 2021-00:45
So different from all other dive/sports watches. Superb. - Wover

Blue Oyster Cult

 
By: LiftAngle51 : February 13th, 2021-02:35
Blue is an important watch color in the sports, a fashion kind of thing. 19 years ago it was not a color i seen, but 20 years ago my eyes felt on a blue dial Longines, since these days became my favorite brand. So blue is not that trend only color for me,... 

There was another blue at the time from UN with a fabulous enamel dial and bezel in pepertual form...

 
By: Dave G : February 14th, 2021-01:45
They are quite reasonable in price now if you can find a good one. Again, I believe they were a limited run... ...  

Beautiful pics

 
By: Arronax : February 13th, 2021-02:49
Is it steel? In a way it reminds me of my pam25: 3D dial (waffle vs dimple), sub second, open hands, date cyclop on the inside, which is probably why I love those UN so much

Good old days for the Divers. Much more appealing than any UN Diver designs from the past 10 years.

 
By: MichaelC : February 13th, 2021-07:31
Every time they revamp the collection, I hope to be wowed. But they never come close to these old ones. It is very sad to me. But very good for you

I love Ulysse Nardin and expect more from this brand. Quite frankly, many of the lines need full overhauls.

 
By: MichaelC : February 13th, 2021-16:09
Imagine what a designer like Octavio Garcia could do for UN. I think it is beyond time for a new design team to collaborate with the technical guys.

It is a topic that has been on my mind. I have not posted it.

 
By: MichaelC : February 14th, 2021-06:38
Nicolas, you can attest to my UN passion. I really love these guys. I don't fully agree that that current lack of excitement and appeal is all related to the losses of Rolf and Ludwig. They still have fantastic mechanisms and ingenuity. But the overall de... 

They lost their inspiration with Rolf Schnyder passed away in 2011 and Ludwig Oechslin moved away from design...

 
By: Dave G : February 14th, 2021-01:48
These first divers were novelties that were fresh, not to mention the Freak, Moonstruck, Hourstriker, the incredible repeaters, etc.