Why Ulysse Nardin products are appreciated around the world
Ulysse Nardin is a Swiss watchmaker that has found its own unique style. The company’s entire product range has a nautical theme, which has made it a favourite with connoisseurs and collectors.
The company was founded in 1846 by Ulysses Nardin in the Swiss town of Le Locle. The entrepreneur grew up in a family of watchmakers, and his choice of profession was obvious. After learning from some of the most famous masters, Ulysses opened his shop at 23.
Although Nardin’s home country is mountainous, the element of water has always been his passion. Both the brand’s logo and its products reflect this passion. Initially, the company focused on the production of marine chronometers. Ulysse was the first manufacturer to produce high-precision instruments for the maritime industry. Its instruments were used on merchant ships and naval vessels.
Nardin’s production was actively increasing, and its products were in demand throughout the country. An essential stage in the company’s development came in 1860. Ulysse acquired an astronomical regulator developed by Jacques-Frederic Urie in 1768. This device enabled Nardin to achieve a new level of accuracy when calibrating its instruments. Thanks to this regulator, the company’s chronographs were in demand by international shipping companies and the navy.
The brand’s founder died in 1876, and his son took over the company’s management. Paul-David continued the traditions and principles established by Ulysses.
In the early 1900s, the manufacturer improved its products. It introduced three innovations:
– to wind the watch without having to turn the rotor;
– it added a tourbillon escapement to its accessories;
– the presence of a column wheel made it possible to eliminate jumps and inaccuracies in operation.
These innovations enabled the company to enter the American market. In 1904, it became a supplier to the country’s navy.
Modern history of the brand
The crisis in the quartz market in the 1970s seriously affected the financial situation of the manufacturer. In 1983, a group of investors led by Rolf Schneider forced the owner to sell the company. The brand thus entered a new phase in its development.
In 1985, the company launched a grandiose project – a trilogy of watches inspired by space themes. Each watch was to be a tribute to a different astronaut.
A few years later, the brand started its own production. The first product was a calibre developed by the company’s master watchmakers. Since then, Ulysse has been producing these elements independently.
In 2011, the company’s president died, and the company remained under independent management for three years. However, to scale up production, the company needed a strong partner. That partner was Kering Corporation, which acquired Ulysse Nardin in 2014. The company continues to produce highly accurate and stylish accessories and regularly expands its range of chronographs.
