Ulysse Nardin Marine Tourbillon Grand Feu
2017 GPHG Tourbillon & Escapement Category Finalist
Returning to the scene of a 2015 triumph for its innovative Ulysse Anchor Tourbillon, for 2017 Ulysse Nardin introduced an all new tourbillon calibre, for the Marine Tourbillon Grand Feu with hand painted detail on a pristine enamel dial.
Of the six preselected finalists in the 2017 GPHG Tourbillon and Escapement category, and with the exception of Haldimann's H12 Centre Balance Pure, the Marine Tourbillon Grand Feu is the most classic in its aesthetics. The glassy gloss of an enamel dial of the purest white, with long slender hand painted black roman numerals and old style minutes track, and the ornate hands are a fitting backdrop for the majestic flying tourbillon which dominates the lower half of the dial.
A pioneering commitment to the development of silicon technologies, Ulysse Nardin's fully in-house manufactured tourbillon features silicon hairspring and escapement assembly, and as the focal point of the watch it is beautiful and elegant.
Is it being optimistic to think Ulysse Nardin can repeat its recent success in the same category? Well, I think it might be, but their Marine Tourbillon Grand Feu is certainly a worthy contender, and who knows? In 2015 they beat off competition from Preziuso, MB&F and even the mighty Greubel Forsey to win the Aiguille, although its anchor tourbillon was pretty special, whereas this time it's complication, whilst still highly technical and innovative, is less elaborate.
The Watch Press prediction
No. Elegant, sophisticated and classical as it is, there are others which bring something perhaps more interesting, such as Bulgari's Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Skeleton, the 1740 - The First 8 by David Candaux, or even the hypnosis-inducing Mobilis by Louis Moinet.
The pertinents
- REFERENCE: 1283-181/E0
- CASE: Steel
- BRACELET/STRAP: Leather
- BUCKLE: Folding buckle
- MOVEMENT: Self-winding mechanical. Power reserve: 60 h, 28'800 variations / hours
Silicium escapement - FUNCTIONS: Hours, Minutes, Tourbillon
- SIZE: ø 43 mm
- THICKNESS: 12 mm
- WATERPROOFNESS: 100 m
- PRICE EXCL.VAT: 28'000 CHF
With a dizzying spectacle of animated mechanical activity, distinctive styling and stripped back components, the Mobilis by Louis Moinet combines old-school watchmaking of the highest standards with contemporary innovation, topped off with a hypnotic display.