Ulysse Nardin pulled the wraps off a new special edition watch that takes design cues from some of the largest and most expensive boats in the world.
Unveiled at the Miami Yacht Show (because, where else?) the new watch is regulated by a flying tourbillon designed to look like a ship’s propeller, features an enamel dial made to look like a boat’s bow cutting through the waves, as well as it’s very own anchor.
That anchor is a real standout feature here, as it’s a faithful reproduction of a proper ship’s anchor. This time around, it’s not used to weigh-down a boat (although the watch’s platinum case might be able to do that, it’s got heft) instead it works as the watch’s 80-hour power reserve, complete with engine room and metal chain-link winch system that raises and lowers the anchor accordingly.
Elsewhere, the watch features a precise representation of the moon, complete with an almost identical replication of individual craters. The dial also shows a sophisticated tide indicator, as well as an open window in the side of the case that monitors the position of the winding crown.
The watch itself is chunky. While it sits at standard 44-millimeters, the watch has depth. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing; near the 12 o’clock position sits the ‘engine room’, the mechanism that controls the anchor power reserve indicator. Winding the watch lets the user see the cogs winch the anchor upwards (the mechanism itself spent more than two years in development).
The sapphire crystal case back lets the wearer admire the intricate details of this limited-edition movement – UN-631 caliber – but let’s not forget the watch’s namesake; the movement is wrapped in similar detailing as a real yacht’s engine covers.
You could call this Ulysse Nardin’s follow-up to the Marine Grand Deck Tourbillon, which was released in 2016. It follows on from the previous model mainly in spirit but does share a few similarities. Namely, the previous model used ropes (similar to a sailing ship’s bylines) to power the power reserve indicator.
The Marine Mega Yacht is available later this year. It’s limited to just 30 models, all featuring a platinum case and a fully-integrated bracelet made of navy-blue alligator leather.
