Where some watchmakers are obsessed by anything on four wheels, Ulysse Nardin prefer their sea legs. They’re as inextricably linked with the glamorous world of superyachts as they are erotic watches, an aspect they’re hammering home with the new Marine Mega Yacht.

The inspiration for the watch is as clear in the dial as the name. A three-dimensional grand feu enamel dial very deliberately conjures up the top-down view of a yacht ploughing through the waves, while the cage of the flying tourbillon is modelled directly off a ship’s propeller.

Each and every indicator would suit the bridge of a yacht. On the left you have a blue PVD and rhodium-plated moon phase in one of the few settings it’s genuinely useful, linked as it is to a pair of tide indicators, one analogue, one more visual. It helps you anticipate the best anchorage for your yacht according to the height of the water. If that is all your on-board instruments – and captain – happen to fail.

On the right-hand side you have a power reserve indicator in the shape of an anchor that raises and lowers with the winding of the movement. It’s visually linked to the windlass at 12 o’clock, an aperture which also gives sight of the movement.

That movement is a work of art, and so it should be. Ulysse Nardin has worked closely with the master horologists at Christophe Claret to build the new complication. The manual wind calibre can be glimpsed front and back and is well worth taking the time to appreciate, with a grand total of 504 individual components.

The 44mm platinum case provides just about enough space so the various indicators don’t appear crowded in any way; quite the reverse. There’s as much room here as the owner’s suite on an actual mega yacht.

Ulysse Nardin have talked the talk about yachts aplenty, with their presences at pretty much every major yacht show from Monaco to Miami. The Marine Mega Yacht proves that they can also walk the walk with a sailor’s swagger.

Price & Specs:

Model Name: Ulysse Nardin Marine Mega Yacht

Ref: 6319-305 Dial/Case: 44mm diameter, platinum case Movement: Caliber UN-631, manual winding Functions: Hours, Minutes, Power Reserve, Moon Phase, Flying Tourbillon

Water Resistance: 50m Power Reserve: 80h Price & Availability: CHF 310’000, limited edition of 30 pieces



For more information visit Ulysse Nardin’s website.