Ulysse Nardin 'Classico'
Discussion
I have just stumbled on these: https://www.ulysse-nardin.com/uk_en/watches/classi...
Some of them intriguingly erotic? I suspect they are very nicely done but I can't imagine one on my wrist.
Conveniently self-winding though.
Some of them intriguingly erotic? I suspect they are very nicely done but I can't imagine one on my wrist.
Conveniently self-winding though.
I think that Ulysse Nardin have had something like this in their range for some time. I remember that many years ago they had some kind of hour striker model where the hour was marked by a man and woman, er, getting intimate.
I find them quite strange, but I can imagine the target market for them. Like you, I would never wear something like that.
Ulysse Nardin have changed a lot over the last 25 years. My favourite model was always the GMT +/- Perpetual. I really wanted one of those. If I remember correctly it was the first ever perpetual calendar that could be wound both forwards and backwards with no restrictions. But they dropped it some time ago.
Then they did the Trilogy of Time, which is mind-bending. And then the Freak, which caused a sensation in the watch world...imagine a watch with a tourbillon but with no dial, no hands and no crown. It's totally original and is apparently covered in patents to make sure nobody can copy it.
These days their collection is quite schizophrenic. Half of it is very conservative, and the other half is enfant terrible. The latter are beautifully made but most of them are too fashion-forward for my taste. And the prices have gone into the stratosphere. Some of them cost over £100k.
I really like them as a company, and I am glad that they exist. But within their current range, only the more conservative versions of the Freak appeal to me, and I find them to be just too expensive for what they are.
I find them quite strange, but I can imagine the target market for them. Like you, I would never wear something like that.
Ulysse Nardin have changed a lot over the last 25 years. My favourite model was always the GMT +/- Perpetual. I really wanted one of those. If I remember correctly it was the first ever perpetual calendar that could be wound both forwards and backwards with no restrictions. But they dropped it some time ago.
Then they did the Trilogy of Time, which is mind-bending. And then the Freak, which caused a sensation in the watch world...imagine a watch with a tourbillon but with no dial, no hands and no crown. It's totally original and is apparently covered in patents to make sure nobody can copy it.
These days their collection is quite schizophrenic. Half of it is very conservative, and the other half is enfant terrible. The latter are beautifully made but most of them are too fashion-forward for my taste. And the prices have gone into the stratosphere. Some of them cost over £100k.
I really like them as a company, and I am glad that they exist. But within their current range, only the more conservative versions of the Freak appeal to me, and I find them to be just too expensive for what they are.
'Intriguingly erotic'...? Jesus Christ on a bike, are those for real?
Those are badly designed, weird, and chavvy in equal measure. Destined almost exclusively for the wrists of wealthy Russian and Middle Eastern sex pests.
Fortunately, because the brand hasn't troubled the consciousness of yer average English scrap metal millionaire (i.e. not a Rolex or a Hublot), you are unlikely to have your senses assaulted by one on these shores.
Those are badly designed, weird, and chavvy in equal measure. Destined almost exclusively for the wrists of wealthy Russian and Middle Eastern sex pests.
Fortunately, because the brand hasn't troubled the consciousness of yer average English scrap metal millionaire (i.e. not a Rolex or a Hublot), you are unlikely to have your senses assaulted by one on these shores.
Edited by redrabbit on Saturday 2nd December 22:43
My guess is that they don't expect to sell many (and they are very low volume production anyway). I think that redrabbit is right and the target market is very wealthy East European and Middle Eastern male clients with a certain attitude towards women. I guess there are enough of them to keep the production line going - and I guess that we all have to earn a living somehow...
If I won the lottery with the catch that the prize money comes in the form of a Ulysse Nardin gift card, I would take this one:
https://www.ulysse-nardin.com/row_en/2405-500-2a-3...
And this one:
https://www.ulysse-nardin.com/row_en/889-70
The first one is from the Freak series and looks a bit similar to the very first Freak. I think it retains a lot of the elegance of the original.
The second one is the Tellerium Johannes Kepler I believe. The centre of the watch is a picture of the Northern Hemisphere, hand painted in enamel (probably by the same people that do those "interesting" dials). Running across the watch is a tiny flexible spring which shows you which part of the hemisphere is light and which part is dark at any given time. That is really cool. Years ago I tried one on, and fell totally in love with it. But it is way out of my league
The website doesn't say any of this, which is strange.
https://www.ulysse-nardin.com/row_en/2405-500-2a-3...
And this one:
https://www.ulysse-nardin.com/row_en/889-70
The first one is from the Freak series and looks a bit similar to the very first Freak. I think it retains a lot of the elegance of the original.
The second one is the Tellerium Johannes Kepler I believe. The centre of the watch is a picture of the Northern Hemisphere, hand painted in enamel (probably by the same people that do those "interesting" dials). Running across the watch is a tiny flexible spring which shows you which part of the hemisphere is light and which part is dark at any given time. That is really cool. Years ago I tried one on, and fell totally in love with it. But it is way out of my league
The website doesn't say any of this, which is strange.
AmitG said:
at the Freak and No. 1 engravings. Reminds me of that Scott Alexander guy with No. 1 tattoos Never hear much about UN on this forum. I bought this a few years ago which I’d been coveting for years. It is nice and well made. Date can go forward and back but you need to have the hands in a certain position. I love the new Freak X (I think they are called) models. Expensive though.
AmitG said:
I love that Freak!
But I am surprised to see that it has a crown. I thought that the Freak had no crown...?
Everyone (outside UN) says that.....and proclaim its not a real Freak.But I am surprised to see that it has a crown. I thought that the Freak had no crown...?
However, it is the name UN gave it in the range....and therefore it is a crowned Freak!
Didn't see it as a deal breaker when ! purchased it. Mesmerising balance wheel at a somewhat lazy 3Hz.
I'll also add that it makes a lot more financial sense as a sub £20k watch (which is in itself ridiculously pricey) than a a £40 to 70k watch without the crown
Carl_VivaEspana said:
Very nice watches boys but they have a tenuous connection to the OP.
Is anyone here brave enough to buy one? I would never drop that sort of coin on a watch but someone here might.
One of my watches is a Classico - so not tenuous at all. Horology/technical-wise they are sound. I guess the question is about the dials and that one of personal taste? As indicated, my preference is for black on stainless.Is anyone here brave enough to buy one? I would never drop that sort of coin on a watch but someone here might.
Posted this to the wrist check thread recently. Picked it up a couple of weeks ago for what I think is real value for money having always admired the brand. An original Freak is right up there in my top 10.
So far, people who know I’m into watches don’t seem to be able to identify it, but clearly realise it’s a quality thing once they have a closer look.
Would happily pick up another at the right price.
So far, people who know I’m into watches don’t seem to be able to identify it, but clearly realise it’s a quality thing once they have a closer look.
Would happily pick up another at the right price.
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