09 August 2018
Two very contemporary new timepieces have joined the ranks of the popular Marine Torpilleur class. Classic black or gunmetal grey, these lean clean modern machines are every bit as sleek and streamlined as the navy destroyer class of torpedo boats from which they take their name.
Initially launched with white or blue dials, the Marine Torpilleur fleet is now reinforced with two stunning new editions: rose gold with black and gold dial; and a Boutique-only version in stainless steel with grey dial. Elegantly elongated Roman numerals mark the hours. The graceful, poire-style hands are in rose gold colour, as are the ‘Haut’ (high) and ‘Bas’ (low) indications of the power reserve. The crown is screw-down and engraved with the Ulysse Nardin logo. The small seconds counter at 6 o’clock encircles the date window and the red “1846” logo—a stylish nod to the year the house was founded. The luxury straps are in perfectly matched alligator.
Inspired by Ulysse Nardin’s marine heritage yet fully modernised for daily urban wear, the Marine Torpilleur is supremely comfortable on the wrist and a delight to the eye. A true Captain’s chronometer, COSC and Ulysse Nardin Certified, it represents contemporary watch design in its finest hour—the culmination of generations of craftsmanship and savoir-faire.
“A less formal, more contemporary version of the iconic Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer, the Marine Torpilleur is aimed at a younger clientele.” said Patrick Pruniaux, Chief Executive Officer of Ulysse Nardin.
“Yet it traces its heritage back to two breakthrough innovations of the early nineteenth century. The first Ulysse Nardin aficionados know well—the house’s famous pocket chronometer. Its unprecedented reliability and precision helped open the world’s oceans to sea-going merchants, navigators and adventurers. The second innovation was the Torpilleur.
Fast, agile and armed with a new weapon—the self-propelled torpedo—the Torpilleur easily outmaneuvered the slow-moving battleships that till then had ruled the wave.”
Powered by the Marine Chronometer’s self-winding in-house UN-118 movement with 60-hour power reserve (indicated on a counter at 12 o’clock) and proprietary Silicium anchor escapement, the 42mm case has been completely redesigned, with lighter, more elongated lugs, a thinner fluted fixed bezel, and a much thinner flange framing the dial.
Launched in 2017, the Marine Torpilleur is the new flagship of Ulysse Nardin’s marine-inspired collections. These two standout additions to the fleet are just part of the adventure: expect to see exciting new launches on the immediate horizon.