Ulysse Nardin are nothing if not eclectic and for every new, ever-stranger edition of the Freak there’s a seriously cool, slightly more accessible timepiece. This time, it’s an incredibly cool pair of Marine Torpilleur Military timepieces.
As the naval name suggests – Torpilleur is French for torpedo – these are more rugged timepieces than the usual UN collection, leaning heavily on the military part of the title. That said, this is Ulysse Nardin, so they’re not just the standard dirty dozen or A-11 clones. In fact, these are some of the coolest military pieces around.
Available in either a black DLC-coated case or a lovely bronze number, they’re not small watches at 44mm across. The exceptionally thin notched bezels make them seem all the bigger, giving plenty of room for the dials – and what dials they are!
The bronze comes with a nice dark blue dial with pale blue Arabic numerals, finished with a splash of red for the limited edition number front and centre. It’s the black though that’s the standout with its bright fluorescent yellow numerals. It’s a utilitarian contrast, particularly with the raised numbers, but far cooler than the usual black and white.
No matter which version you plump for, you’ll get a UN-118 movement inside, a solid, reliable movement worthy of this kind of tool watch. Not that you’ll see it of course; instead of a sapphire caseback there’s an engraving of a torpedo boat.
These pieces are a departure from Ulysse Nardin’s usual type of watch, even within the wider Torpilleur collection, but it’s a welcome one. It demonstrates yet another string to the watchmaker’s bow and the most accessible one to date. Much as I love a good Freak, the black version here is definitely the UN for me.
Price & Specs:
Model Name: Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur Black/Bronze
Ref: 168589-3020
Case: 44mm width, DLC-coated stainless steel or bronze
Movement: UN-118 Caliber
Power Reserve: 60h
Frequency: 28,800 vph / 4 Hz
Water Resistance: 50m
Strap: Blue/black leather or green canvas
Starting Price: $7,900 (black DLC), $8,900 (bronze), limited to 300 pieces each
Pre-order at www.ulysse-nardin.com
