Ulysse Nardin’s Torpilleur Makes a Splash

While the history of Ulysse Nardin’s nautical endeavors has never been far from the heart of their continual horological ambitions, in 2017, the company decided to re-emphasize its dedication by creating the Marine Torpilleur collection, a series of utterly classic timepieces made in the aesthetic spirit of the marine chronometers that came before. Now, the company has built upon this core series with three additions, resulting in a new depth of function and elegance to their offerings: the Marine Torpilleur Dual Time, Marine Torpilleur Moonphase in rose gold and, most extravagantly, the Marine Torpilleur Tourbillon Grand Feu with a white enamel dial.

While all three timepieces share a similar classic aesthetic, with large, legible dials and traditional styling reminiscent of their chronometer forebears, they also share a decidedly more modern feature — the use of silicium. The silicon-based escapement wheel, anchor and balance spring provide an increased accuracy, thanks to the material’s elasticity, durability and antimagnetic quality. To the casual observer, these watches may appear to be decidedly classical in nature, but they are in fact entirely modern in both technology and function.