Ulysse Nardin

... but of the previous one.

In 2002, the first Acqua Perpetual series was released. It consisted of the unlimited diver perpetuals  with white and black dials, the nice "gulf ball" dial structure, arrowhead hands (that would not obstruct the view on the big date) and bare-metal rotating bezel, in the 42.7mm case with crown guards, that would equip the Maxi Marine Diver only two years later, in 2004. They had solid casebacks and were rated to 300 meters.

In the same year, also a limited edition (500pcs) with blue lacquer/guilloche dial, lacquer bezel (I think, in white gold instead of steel), display back (200 meters) and chronometer certificate was released. I immediately fell inlove with this version, when I saw it for the first time.

Astonishingly, the unlimited black and white variants disappeared from the catalogue already in 2004, but not from the price list, while the blue one was still prominently featured.

In 2006, an Acqua Perpetual was launched in a limited version of only 99 pieces: black carbon structure dial and rotating bezel, chronometer, solid caseback (300 meters) and the same hands as the Marine Diver, so the arrowhead hands disappeared. For me, this would have been the perfect everyday or "beater" perpetual, but at only 99 pieces, impossible to find; until now.

In 2009, the hitherto last iteration of the Acqua Perpetual was shown, with nearly 46mm diameter and titanium case, white gold bezel and lots of orange luminous parts.

This one was a bit too large and gaudy for my taste, in spite of the many thrilling design details.

Marcus

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