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Ulysse Nardin

Regarding locking/screw-in crowns

 

Fwiw there was a thread several years ago about the question over the screw-in crown is necessary for good water resistance. I contacted a watchmaker about it — he was using a screw-in crown on one of his models. He told me the water resistance really comes from the o-ring seals used around the stem. He uses three of them in his watch. Many divers rated watches in the past have not had screw-in crowns and they have functioned nicely. I have a watch without a screw-in crown that I once dove with to around 90 feet without problem. I used the watch for swimming, diving off boards, water skiiing etc. I similarly used another vintage diver without a screw-in crown also without problem. Probably what’s important is that the seals are in good condition. Since I was using my watches in demanding conditions I was careful to refresh the seals regularly. If my watchmaker friend is correct that the water resistance really comes from the seals, the screw-in crown adds security by making it difficult to accidentally pull the crown. An additional note: I once forgot to screw in the crown on a watch and then went for a swim haha. No problem though.

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19 Comments view entire thread 

A great watch – but no!

 
By: MTR : July 19th, 2025-10:54
Dear watch friends, I’m only checking in now because, as you might have experienced, the site was down for a few hours. I had the chance to take a close look at the Ulysse Nardin Diver [Air], a watch that fascinates me from a technical standpoint (see als...  

Cool watch, but I have to agree that legibility is not it's strong point !

 
By: pkonos : July 19th, 2025-11:34
Until I saw the lume shots and got my bearings, I had a hard time finding the hour hand!

Without glasses

 
By: MTR : July 20th, 2025-05:32
I hardly could tell the time first glance.

I tried it on this Tuesday and my overall impression was that it looks cheap.

 
By: ZSHSZ : July 19th, 2025-12:34
Well, at lest it doesn’t have that “wow” factor(for me). I get the technical part, but as Churchill said: “No mater how brilliant the strategy, one should also luck at the results”! Now let’s see the other option ))

Hahahaha

 
By: MTR : July 20th, 2025-05:31
Results more important than strategy - excellent! 👌😁 Yes, and now that you say it: it felt … cheap.

Thanks for the update.

 
By: LarsG : July 19th, 2025-11:32
I´m glad the legibility is ok, and I think your pics actually shows it is. It is ,as you say, a very attractive piece from a technical stand point, but if it doesn´t sing to you, then there´s nothing you can do. Looking forward to see your new fling. Enjo... 

Thanks very much for your report and photos, Thomas.

 
By: GWIS : July 19th, 2025-14:05
It sounds like it was an easy decision so you have obviously done the right thing. I also look forward to your separate report on what you did buy. All the best, Jon

Thanks so much, Jon — really appreciate your kind words.

 
By: MTR : July 20th, 2025-06:03
Yes, in the end, the decision was surprisingly easy. Once I saw the watch again under different light (and perhaps with even more critical eyes than at first time), it just didn’t “click.” And that usually tells me everything I need to know. The follow-up... 

Regarding locking/screw-in crowns

 
By: LwC : July 19th, 2025-15:46
Fwiw there was a thread several years ago about the question over the screw-in crown is necessary for good water resistance. I contacted a watchmaker about it — he was using a screw-in crown on one of his models. He told me the water resistance really com... 

Excellent contribution, LwC — and I fully agree

 
By: MTR : July 20th, 2025-05:49
The myth that water resistance requires a screw-down crown deserves more nuance. You’re absolutely right — the primary barrier to water ingress is the quality and condition of the gaskets (o-rings) around the crown stem and tube. The screw-down mechanism ... 

It makes 0 sense as a "dive" watch.

 
By: MichaelC : July 19th, 2025-17:51
The watch only seems legible when the lume is brightly glowing. Not what you want when diving. I agree with your decision to pass.

Thanks, dear Michael — you’re spot on.

 
By: MTR : July 20th, 2025-05:58
The legibility really did depend on the lume being fully activated. In lower light, without that glow, I had more the impression of a horological …. sculpture than a functional diving watch. Not what you would need when looking at the dial at 20 meters de...