The Story of Shark Watches From Ulysse Nardin

Ulysse Nardin has anchored a strong relationship with the oceans and seas of the world and is largely inspired by them. The anchor in its logo possibly stands for this nautical attachment.

The Origin of Nautical Ties

Ulysse Nardin founded his company in 1846, at the mere age of 23. He then set out to develop his own marine chronometers for navigation and soon mastered this niche. Marine chronometers are precise, specialized instruments used as a portable time standard and also to determine longitude at sea accurately. An antique Ulysse Nardin marine chronometer is shown below-

In 1996, one fifty years after its set up, Ulysse Nardin released its first marine chronometer wristwatch. Soon, they were supplying their chronometers to navies and shipping companies around the world.

However, now the brand no longer caters to only navies and shipping companies but has secured its position as one of the top luxury watch manufacturers, synonymous with opulence. It is adorned by watch geeks and celebrities alike. Jeff Bezos and Michael Jordan, for instance, have been spotted wearing the exceptional Ulysse Nardin watches quite a few times.

Shark Connection

Ulysse Nardin brand president, François-Xavier Hotier said, “When I arrived in the U.S. to work with Ulysse Nardin, I wanted to tell the story of the brand’s history as a supplier to the U.S. Navy and also wanted to do something with the veterans and the special forces. The third objective I had was to do something with preservation and sustainability, especially connected with sharks.”

The brand has successfully achieved the third objective as it recently announced its partnership with Ocearch, a data-centric organization dedicated to the collection of previously unattainable information about the ocean. It runs with an aim to return the ocean’s balance and abundance. This partnership will help fund the study of shark ecosystems and migration habitats. The shark is of prominent significance to Ulysse Nardin and serves as a potential brand mascot.

In addition to the above, Ulysse Nardin is known for naming its limited edition Diver watches after different sharks.

Watch Collections of Ulysse Nardin

The brand categorizes all its watches into five categories-

1. Marine Collection
2. Diver Collection
3. Freak Collection
4. Executive Collection
5. Classico Collection

Shark Watches

All the shark watches of Ulysse Nardin so far have been a part of its Diver Collection; the same are listed below-

Diver Chronograph 44 mm (Hammerhead Shark 44mm)

The most recent addition to its Diver Collection, the Diver Chronograph 44 mm was launched with three colour variations – black and titanium, blue and rose gold, and the limited edition novelty blue and red.

This limited edition Ulysse Nardin watch, of 300 pieces, is named after the Hammerhead Shark. Justifying its name, its caseback features an engraved version of the same.

Features

The titanium case of each of these watches, is individually numbered according to its corresponding serial number; since it’s a limited edition watch.

What is it?

Caliber of a watch is the mechanism behind it and is used as a reference for its movement.

UN-150 Manufacture Movement

Case Material

What is it?

The watch case houses the dial, battery and other internal parts.

Titanium

Glass  

What is it?

The glass that covers the face of the watch.

Sapphire

Mechanism 

What is it?

How a watch works; its movement.

Self-winding

Dimensions 

Diameter 44mm

Water Resistance

300 meters

A 300 meters water resistance means that the watch lies in the diver watch territory and is well protected against water.

Dial

Blue Shark

Strap

Blue Rubber with Titanium pin buckle

This is priced at $11,900.

Diver 42mm (Diver Blue Shark 42mm)

This is also one of the new additions to the Diver Collection of Ulysse Nardin watches. With a limited edition of 300 pieces, this watch has a relatively minimalistic look.

Named after the blue shark, it features an illustration of the same in its dial. Moreover, the use of complementary colours – blue and orange, enhances its appeal.

In its case it houses the serial number of the watch, just like the Hammerhead Shark 44mm. This is a common feature among limited edition watches of Ulysse Nardin.

Caliber

UN-816

Case Material

Stainless Steel

Glass

Sapphire

Mechanism

Self-winding

Dimensions

Diameter 42mm

Water Resistance

300 meters

Dial

Blue Shark

Strap

Blue fabric

This is priced at $6,800.

Diver Great White 44mm

A limited edition Ulysse Nardin watch of 300 pieces, this model is elegance in its truest form. It is beautifully designed to please the eyes.

As the name suggests, it is named after the great white shark and features the silhouette of the same along its strap. Moreover, it also has the great white shark engraved in its titanium caseback.

Features

Like other limited edition Ulysse Nardin watches, it also displays the serial number of the piece on the side of the case.

UN-118

Titanium

Sapphire

Self-winding

Diameter 44mm

300 meters

Blue Shark

White Rubber

This was priced at $8,900. All 300 pieces of this majestic watch are sold out as they are no longer available on the Ulysse Nardin official website.

Ulysse Nardin is known for a wide variety of watches, exceptional craftsmanship and high-grade quality. Moreover, its long-standing, strong connection with the waters of the world sets it apart from its contemporaries. It has been the symbol of strength and opulence; and continues to maintain its unique and prominent place in the market of luxury watches.