READY FOR CAST-OFF

At the last Miami Boat Show, Ulysse Nardin unveiled the Marine Mega Yacht, a masterpiece of horological engineering dedicated entirely to the nautical world

The sea has always been a source of inspiration to the watch world and is also an important test-bench that allows manufactures put new technical solutions through their paces and hone untried materials. But some have pushed that connection to new heights. In fact, Ulysse Nardin, a maison whose history is inextricably linked to the marine environment, chose the last Miami Boat Show to present it’s the stunning Marine Mega Yacht watch. The new reference not only enriches the iconic Marine collection but also raises the manufacture’s own skills to new heights of perfection. Its technical virtuosity is brilliantly embodied by the myriad nautically-inspired details sported by this aptly-named watch. Cocooned by a 44mm platinum case, its blue 3D “grand feu” enamel dial is reminiscent of a ship’s bow ploughing through the ocean waves. But that is not all. The hands are inspired by the venerable marine chronometers it has long supplied, while

the flying tourbillon cage is modelled on an ultra-modern megayacht propeller. The watch is driven too by a manual calibre designed and made in collaboration with the watchmakers of Maison Christophe Claret. A huge joint technical effort justified by the complexity of a movement made up of 504 different components squeezed into 37mm diameter. The UN-631 beats away at 21,600 vibrations per hour, with the tourbillon moving at 60 rotations per hour. It has a power reserve of 80 hours. All of this puts plenty of information at the wearer’s fingertips, including real-time tide levels at specific locations as well as seasonal coefficient indications. The line between art and horological technique blur when it comes to Ulysse Nardin’s ability to turn an anchor into an element that is not merely decorative but also functional: its chain actually moves in response to the winding-crown’s movements to indicate the current power reserve. The Mega Yacht also boasts a Moon Phase complication in which the phases are displayed using a 3D representation of Earth’s favourite satellite. The moon’s surface is rendered very realistically thanks to ultra-precise laser engraving. The Moon Phase comprises two half-spheres: a blue PVD one for the new moon and one rhodiumised to represent sunlight. sunlight). The Mega Yacht is a limited edition of just 30 and costs €310,000.