Produced in partnership with Ulysse Nardin.
Success in business comes in endless forms whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder, chasing the entrepreneurial dream or taking on the multinational might of your competition as a high-flying CEO.
It’s no easy feat to win on today’s global stage, so when the rare accolade does arise, it calls for the right milestone – a winning companion that makes a statement while standing the true test of time. The latest Ulysse Nardin Chronometry collection is that rare statement, a lineage of modern heritage timepieces derived from the most audacious pioneers who were brave enough to rebuke convention in favour of exploring the uncharted seas.
Every winning moment in history deserves its time in glory, and there is none more fitting than a trio of Ulysse Nardin’s latest creations crafted to perfectly mark the most significant stages of success in business.
Perfection takes time
175 years, in fact. It was 1846 when Ulysse Nardin founded his company in Le Locle, Switzerland. It would take his son, Paul-David Nardin, to really put the family name on the map by forging a legendary reputation as masters of marine chronometers for navies all over the world.
After countless decades, Ulysse Nardin as a watchmaker would go on to win competitions for horological excellence and honour commissions for indispensable navigational tools. Its expertise would span more than 50 navies, geodesic institutes and astronomical observatories while shining the spotlight on one of its finest creations: the pocket chronometer.
It was a prized possession among the world’s naval officers and merchant captains, and the very invention that would set the foundation for the next generation of advanced marine chronometers.
The new era of marine chronometers culminates today in the Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur.
The entrepreneur
Apple founder Steve Jobs once said, “I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.” That same sentiment is mirrored by some of the most talented entrepreneurs today. They may stand at the most elementary stages of business success, but what they lack in scale they make up for with sheer determination and a relentless drive to see their vision become reality.
Success comes in small waves and risks rarely subside in the realm of an entrepreneur, which is why they deserve the Marine Torpilleur Blue Enamel, a limited-edition timepiece which marries pure classicism with technical innovation while being ideally positioned towards the more accessible end of the new Chronometry collection.
“I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.”
The Marine Torpilleur Blue Enamel features a 42-millimetre stainless steel polished and satin-finished case, complete with an open sapphire caseback and fluted bezel. Its true beauty lies in the dial enamelling, a delicate heritage artform which continues to be employed by the artisans at Ulysse Nardin to this very day. The blue in-house-enamelled dial called the Grand Feu technique demands that more than 90 per cent of the process be done entirely by hand. Historical elements like the cathedral hands, Roman numerals and indication dial of how long the watch will keep ticking before needing to be worn or wound, are all direct descendants of the first designs produced by Ulysse Nardin.
Carrying all of these historical touches into the present is the in-house COSC-certified automatic movement, Caliber UN-118 Manufacture. This impressive mechanical heart boasts an extensive 60-hour power reserve to showcase just how far the modern chronometer has progressed from its earliest iterations. It also ensures that the watch will keep working precisely for more than two days without the need to be wound or worn. Timing is presented through the hours, minutes, small seconds and a date window at the 6 o’clock index alongside a power reserve indicator at the 12 o’clock index.
As a striking addition to any stylish entrepreneur looking to leave their mark, the Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur Blue Enamel comes with the option of either a classic brown or blue alligator leather strap. It will be limited to just 175 pieces worldwide with a price of US$11,500.
The business owner
Established business owners face their own set of challenges in the business world, whether it be sustaining growth or staying ahead of rising competition. Colonel Harland Sanders famously rejected retirement to pursue his fried chicken dreams at the age of 65. His words were: “I feed truck drivers, millionaires all at the same table.” The concept of success as a business owner is modestly established, but it still takes time, perseverance and foresight to see real progress towards expansive new markets.
“I feed truck drivers, millionaires all at the same table.”
With success in this phase gradually climbing alongside the diversifying responsibilities of a business owner, a reliable timepiece that can keep up with the immense pace of daily duties while seamlessly transitioning into client meetings is paramount. The Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur Annual Chronograph is that timepiece which doesn’t just tell the time, but the date and month to ensure its wearer is always on schedule for years to come.
Ulysse Nardin’s annual calendar system was invented by Ludwig Oechslin and implemented in its perpetual calibre model of 1996. This very system has been upgraded and employed in the new Marine Torpilleur Annual Chronograph to ensure all time and date settings are adjustable – both forwards and backwards – by using just the crown. Once set, the complication automatically adjusts to the correct date displayed based on 30- and 31-day months.
Visually, the watch comes in a 44-millimetre stainless steel polished and satin-finish case with a fluted bezel. Its dial bears an impressive degree of detail laid on top of an option of either a blue matte PVD finish or a white varnished finish. These two distinctive colours help to elevate finer touches such as the bold Roman numeral hour markers, “Chronometry since 1846” signature and the sub-dial hands, which are rhodium-finished and beige on the blue face model, or blue and red on the white face model.
The beating heart of the timepiece is the UN-153 Manufacture movement, an evolution of the earlier UN-150 movement. It showcases a host of functions including hours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph counters and the annual calendar. The power reserve is rated at 52 hours for reliable timekeeping even when the watch isn’t on the wrist. Peace of mind is also accomplished with a water-resistance rating of 50 metres.
To finish off each version of the timepiece, both the blue and white dial models come with the option of a brown or blue alligator leather strap. Each model will be limited to 300 pieces worldwide alongside a price of US$12,100.
The global CEO
The pinnacle of success is often in good company among the global CEO. This particular figure has seen and done it all, from the trenches right through to the heights of the executive board. Dell Technologies Founder Michael Dell famously advised, “Try never to be the smartest person in the room. And if you are, I suggest you invite smarter people … or find a different room.”
With a multitude of stakeholders involved in the success of the company and ultimately its CEO, an infallible mindset for growth must be forged. This is only achieved through excellence, experience, time and prudent decision-making at the highest level. Finding a timepiece to match such a profile is near impossible – until today. Just like the global CEO, Ulysse Nardin is honouring the richest achievements of its own past and driving it towards the future of high-calibre watchmaking.
“Try never to be the smartest person in the room. And if you are, I suggest you invite smarter people … or find a different room.“
This ideal breathes new life into the stunning Marine Torpilleur Tourbillon Grand Feu, a tourbillon chronometer derived from an art tracing back to the end of the 19th century. The existence of the tourbillon originates from its own pursuit of perfection. Ultimate timing precision is achieved by counteracting the effects of Earth’s gravity, which can compromise timekeeping accuracy. Ulysse Nardin continues to nurture this feat in mechanical watchmaking by developing new rotating cages to enchant the world’s most curious minds.
As the flagship model of the Chronometry collection, the Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur Tourbillon Grand Feu features a standout 42-millimetre rose gold case with a fluted bezel and open sapphire case back to reveal the intricate inner workings. The black Grand Feu enamel dial by Donzé Cadrans features contrasting white Roman numeral hour markers, rose gold hands and a power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock.
The main showpiece is, of course, the captivating flying tourbillon, which proudly takes up real estate at the 6 o’clock index. Driven by the Caliber UN-128 Constant Manufacture automatic movement, the timepiece affords hours and minutes functions alongside a 60-hour power reserve for reliable timekeeping. It also comes with a winning pedigree of its own, having taken top honours in the Tourbillon Watch Prize at the annual 2015 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève award ceremony via the house’s patented UN Constant Escapement Tourbillon.
A black alligator leather strap finishes off this stellar masterpiece, which comes with a 50-metre water resistance rating and optional rubber strap or R-Strap to suit any environment. Only 175 examples of the Marine Torpilleur Tourbillon Grand Feu will be created with a price of US$48,400.
Claim your living legacy
Time is limited, so make your mark and leave a lasting impression of excellence for generations to come. The Ulysse Nardin Chronometry collection is meticulous in its conception and relentlessly precise in conduct.
You can now experience the full range for yourself at Ulysse Nardin.
