Archive for the ‘Ulysse Nardin’ category

When Luxury Wachmaking Meets Smart Phones

July 10th, 2010

As the smart phone is more and more popular, many watchmakers become not content with making an iPhone app to attract those smart phone owners who love luxury wristwatches. They are trying to create something that integrates the communication instruments with their timekeeping intruments. It is the source of inspiration for the Meridiist by TAG Heuer , the Chairman by Ulysse Nardin , and the Le DIX by Celsius.

Last year, TAG Heuer released the Meridiist, a cell phone model in limited series. To accentuate both design and motor racing, TAG Heuer’s top designers use steel and black PVD-coated titanium to finish the Meridiist, inspired by the legendary Lamborghini Murcielago and thus produced in a limited edition of 1963 (the year the car-making firm was founded). With its 400 hand-assembled mechanical parts, the Meridiist is distinguished by its 28-day operating autonomy (7 hours in conversation mode). Incoming calls are shown on an OLED display on the top of the phone’s body which can also show a 1/100th of a second countdown. The MP3 player and the 2 mega-pixel camera look humble in comparison with the novelties unveiled by Google or Apple. There is a broad choice of leather cases and diamond setting options, including a 7.42-carat version set with 1,232 diamonds.

Unveiled at Baselworld 2009, Ulysse Nardin Chairman phone features an more distinctly horological style. The steel or rose gold cell phone is hand-assembles and endowed with a 30-day power reserve (8 days’ autonomy in conversation mode). There is a crown and an oscillating weight on the back of the case serving to recharge its batteries. It was released in a limited edition of 1846 per material – the number represents the birth year of Ulysse Nardin. Produced in partnership with SCI Innovations Ltd (USA), the Chairman is intended to be in the vanguard of technology, featuring fingerprint recognition, high-definition video, an 8 mega-pixel camera, the Google Android telecommunications platform, a full-screen digital keypad, along with a range of pre-installed applications.

We know that there was an area specially designed for smart phones in Baselworld 2010. The ultra limited-edition Le DIX was presented there this year and caused a sensation among fine watchmaking connoisseurs. Its birth has been accompanied by some well-known names in the industry, including Richard Mille on the Board of Directors, Edouard Meylan (son of former Audemars Piguet CEO George-Henri) in charge of marketing, and specialised consultant Hugues-Olivier Borès (former marketing director of Patek Philippe).

Generously revealed for watchmaking devotees who are often frustrated by not being able to admire the mechanism on the back of the watch they are wearing, the exclusive mechanical movement was developed in partnership with BNB. The flying tourbillon is fitted with extremely effective tiny shock-absorbers. The 120 hour power reserve is automatically replenished by three hours each time the grade 5 titanium case is opened, thanks to its cleverly named “Papillon” patented micromechanical winding system. Other micromechanical features include a mechanical battery-ejection system, a main connector protected by a mechanical-locking flap, and screen-flap closing cushioned by a set of spring-mounted ball bearings. Its 547 mechanical components are all meticulously hand-finished and housed in an equally complex case crafted in grade 5 titanium subtly enriched with inserts in ebony (for the 18-piece limited edition) or carbon fibre (28-piece edition).

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Posted in Industry News, TAG Heuer, Ulysse Nardin

Tags: Android system Meridiist Smart Phone TAG Heuer cell phone Ulysse Nardin Chairman

Ulysse Nardin Caprice Tiger Limited Edition, Enchanting and Mystifying

June 16th, 2010

Simply a jewel of a timepiece worthy of a fierce fight, the Caprice Tiger recently released by the renown watchmaker Ulysse Nardin, emitts a presence that is both commanding and curious. Just like the woman whose wrist it adorns, the watch possesses a mysterious poetry of strength, power and sensuality, enchanting and mystifying as a creature of wonder. Only 28 pieces are made available worldwide for the new Caprice Tiger timepiece.

Peek at the face of this horological marvel, and you will soon become captivated with the tiger, which is dreamlike, yet appears alive. With eyes made of emeralds and a form glistening with diamonds, it seems moving stealthily through the grasses and transfixing those who cross its path. The Caprice Tiger in 18-karat white gold is a piece of jewelry that stands confidently in its own splendor, demonstrating the fusion of high horology and breathtaking aesthetic.

The dial has been further embellished with fiery rubies marking the hour, emanating with strength and femininity. The 18-karat white gold case, along with the brilliant bezel sparkling in diamonds, illustrates a good-enough statement of a prized jewel. Inside is the Ulysse Nardin Caliber UN-13, a simple self-winding movement with power reserve of 42 hours. Your eyes will be tightly seized by its diamond-set rotor in 22-karat gold through the clear sapphire-crystal case back. It is the Caprice Tiger’s assortment of satin and galushat straps and white-gold bracelet that safely harnesses the striking timepiece’s steady hand to wearer.

The new Caprice Tiger in White Gold is the perfect timepiece for the woman who prefers being the center of attention and never slowing in stride.

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Posted in Limited Edition, Ulysse Nardin

Tags: Caprice Tiger Limited Edition Jewelry watch Ulysse Nardin Ulysse Nardin Limited Edition

Ulysse Nardin El Toro Limited Edition

February 7th, 2010

At Baselworld 2010 next month, the famous watch company Ulysse Nardin will officially present this El Toro model, a remarkable watch with the high tech perpetual calendar.

The El Toro features a Moonstruck case in gold or platinum, measuring 43mm and water resistant to 100 meters. The crowded dial demonstrates its multifunction: hours, minutes, seconds, second time zone, perpetual calendar, large date, day, month and year. At 6 o’clock and 12 o’clock are two oversized hour markers, extremely stylish and contemporary. The large hands allow easy reading of all functions and the transparent sapphire caseback permits to appreciate the mechanics of time. The bezel and pusher are made of ceramic. The first time you need to adjust the perpetual calendar through the single crown will be in the year of 2100 (it is likely to be your grandson’s business). The combination of modern materials and the timeless dial design expresses a striking sense of aesthetic.

Inside the watch is the legendary in-house developed and manufactured self-winding calibre UN-32. Equipped with a white gold rotor, the movement has 34 jewels and offers a power reserve of 45 hours. With this COSO certified movement and the dual time function, the El Toro seems to feature the most consumer friendly perpetual calendar ever produced and has passed the tests of time. It also highlights the synchronized adjustment of all the date indicators with the hour hand. The big date, the day, the month and the year change instantly forward or backward when the hour hand is moved to a new local time across the dateline with pushers (+) or (-).

The strap is available in rubber or leather with titanium or ceramic folding clasp, or crocodile with rose gold / platinum folding clasp. The price is $53,000, and it will be released in a limited edition of 500 pieces worldwide.

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Posted in BaselWorld 2010, Limited Edition, Ulysse Nardin

Tags: BaselWorld 2010 calibre UN-32 El Toro Ulysse Nardin watch of Limited Edition watch of perpetual calendar

Ulysse Nardin Cresta Run Limited Edition

February 6th, 2010

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To honor the 125th Anniversary of the legendary St.Moritz Tobogganing Club, the famous watch manufacturer Ulysse Nardin is presenting a Cresta Run Limited Edition of 12 timepieces. Its creation to a large extent can be attributed to the management of Rolf Schnyder, the owner of Ulysse Nardin Watch Company. It is this man that propels Ulysse Nardin through the deep sea of human imagination towards its destiny as one of horology’s cornerstones. The legendary English Cresta Run is one of Rolf Schnyder’s favorite pursuits. He is an active life-member of the Cresta Club and has been riding the Run continuously over the last 40 years.

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What the Cresta Run Limited Edition is worth commend most is the exclusive dial design. Framed by the 18kt white gold case, the unique three dimensional dial employs the famous colors of the Cresta Club and highlights the hand-engraved 18kt white gold plates to mark the commemoration dates of the Anniversary. The centrally mounted hands is used to display the time. A small second timer is placed at 6 o’clock, coupled with the 2-digit Big Date at 2 o’clock.

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Beating inside the watch is the automatic UN caliber equipped with a high-tech silicium escapement. The movement runs at 28,800 vph, has 52 jewels and offers a power reserve of 50 hours. It incorporates big date in a double window with a quick set corrector in either direction, as well as a small seconds. As a testimony to the Manufacture’s deep belief in the efficiency and precision of its movement, every Cresta Limited Edition is COSC tested and certified.

Delivered with a mahogany box with the Cresta emblem, this signifiscent watch is available exclusively at the Cresta Club House in St. Moritz in a limited edition of 12 pieces.