As you might guess, the brand owes its name to its founder, Ulysse Nardin, born in 1823 in Le Locle. He initially trained in the art of watchmaking with his father, Leonard-Frederic Nardin, and later perfected his skills with two other masters – Frederic William Dubois and Louis JeanRichard-dit-Bressel. He established his own production at the young age of 23 in 1846 and managed it until his death in 1876, when control passed into the hands of his 21-year-old son, Paul-David Nardin.
From those years to the present day, Ulysse Nardin has flourished, creating some of the finest and most complex movements in the industry. A series of renowned achievements and models followed, with which the brand established itself as one of the leading players in watchmaking. Every self-respecting collector has – or plans to own – at least one timepiece from this manufacture.
Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine Diver Black Sea 263-92/923-RG
Undoubtedly, the Maxi Marine is as iconic a model for Ulysse Nardin as the Breitling Navitimer is for Breitling and the Omega Speedmaster is for Omega. Its history begins back in the 19th century – a time when sailors used sextants to determine their ships' positions and chart their routes. Even then, Ulysse Nardin chose a strategy that subsequently proved to be extremely successful – specializing in the creation of marine chronometers.
Although the company was founded and is based in Neuchâtel – a region with no direct connection to the seas – Ulysse Nardin managed to foresee the potential of the marine line and achieve serious success with it.
Starting from the second half of the 19th century, marine chronometers were subjected to rigorous tests at the Neuchâtel Observatory and the Geneva Observatory. As might be expected, Ulysse Nardin's chronometers passed these trials with exceptional success and were quickly recognized as some of the best marine timepieces on the market.
The Maxi Marine Diver is the modern interpretation of the legendary marine chronometers created for decades, and it is undoubtedly a model that continues the tradition and worthily defends its heritage.
The model offered today is part of a special series, first introduced in 2010, and is distinguished by several key features. First is the case size – 45.8 mm, which is not found in other models of the line. Second – the transparent case back. And third – the case, made of high-quality steel with a vulcanized rubber coating, which gives a completely different feel and look. This particular model is even more special, as the bezel is crafted from 18-karat rose gold, also coated with vulcanized rubber. It was introduced in 2017 in a limited edition of only 1846 pieces – a fact noted on a gold plate located on the side of the case.
The double anti-reflective coating is extremely effective – at certain angles, it creates the feeling that the dial and hands can be touched directly. The satin-matte finish of the dial adds extra depth and, under certain lighting, creates an impression of its own radiance that diffuses the light.
The luminescence is very strong – thanks to the large markers, the dial and hands remain perfectly legible even in minimal light. During the day, the anti-reflective coating makes the dial exceptionally clear, and the magnifying lens over the date allows for quick and easy reading.
Ulysse Nardin makes no compromises with the case back either – it is transparent, with engraved model and serial number designations, and through it, the movement is revealed, its finish executed with great attention to detail.
On the side opposite the crown, there is a gold plate with the watch's individual number, inscribed in an elegant cursive script. The characteristic look of Ulysse Nardin is often associated with a rubber strap with “links,” and in this model, they are ceramic – a detail that further emphasizes its unique character.
This is one of those timepieces that leave no doubt about their purpose. Whether we use it during sports, underwater adventures, or an evening at a seaside bar, one thing is certain – this jewel on the wrist will not go unnoticed. But not with the obtrusiveness of models like the Breitling Super Avenger, but rather with an understated, confident presence that few watches possess.
