Ulysse Nardin

Summary

Founded by Ulysse Nardin in 1846, the company owes its reputation to its links with the sea: its onboard marine chronometers are among the most award-winning and reliable ever designed. A pioneer in innovative technologies and the use of high-tech materials such as silicium, Ulysse Nardin is one of the few independent and integrated manufactures with the in-house expertise to produce its own high-precision components and movements.

To underscore its commitment to the environment, Ulysse Nardin is active in supporting the preservation of the Ocean by encouraging up-cycling to reduce marine plastic pollution and developing scientific knowledge concerning the preservation of sharks. Today in the Swiss towns of Le Locle and La Chaux-de-Fonds, Ulysse Nardin remains devoted to its quest for watchmaking perfection in four collections: Marine, Diver, Blast and Freak.

History

Born in 1823 in Le Locle, Switzerland, Ulysse Nardin trained as a horologist under his father, Léonard-Frédéric Nardin, and honed his skills working with Frédéric-William Dubois and Louis Jean Richard-dit-ressel. In 1846, he founded his own company in Le Locle which later became one of the first to manufacture marine chronometers and high-precision seafaring instruments for commercial ships and navies.

At the 1862 International Exhibition in London, Ulysse Nardin was awarded Prize Medal in “complicated watches and pocket chronometers”. When he poised away in 1876, his son Paul-David Nardin succeeded him as head of the company. In 1889, the company won Gold Medal at Paris Universal Exhibition, two Swiss patents in 1890 and First Prize at Chicago Universal Exhibition in 1893.

In 1902, the company began delivering marine chronometers to the US Navy, won Washington Naval Observatory competitions and became official supplier for the US Navy’s torpedo boats.The company has since provided timepieces to the navies of the United States, United Kingdom, Russia and Japan. Since the 1870s, over fifty navies and international shipping companies had been equipped with Ulysse Nardin marine chronometers.

In 1975, Neuchâtel Observatory published a report stating that Ulysse Nardin was awarded 4,324 performance certificates for mechanical marine chronometers. However, due to the quartz crisis, Ulysse Nardin faced challenges in late Seventies and early Eighties. In 1983, the company was acquired by Rolf Schnyder who, in collaboration with watchmakers such as Ludwig Oechslin, revived the brand.Rolf Schnyder served as its CEO and transformed the business. In 1996, Ulysse Nardin released its first marine chronometer wristwatch “Marine Chronometer 1846” and first perpetual calendar “Perpetual Ludwig”.

After Schnyder’ death in 2011, his wife Chai helmed the company till it was acquired by French luxury group Kering in 2014. In 2017, the company appointed former Apple executive Patrick Pruniaux as its CEO. The brand participates in Only Watch, a charity auction operated under the patronage of Prince Albert II, where watchmaking companies create timepieces to raise funds for research on neuromuscular diseases.

Since, Ulysse Nardin is official sponsor of Sweden’s Artemis Racing team at America’s Cup; Monaco Yacht Show and Miami Yacht Show. In 2019, Ulysse Nardin released three new calibers. The company still occupies its original headquarters in Le Locle, one of the main watch production hubs in northwest Switzerland, and has manufacturing plants in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Le Locle and Sion. While marine wrist chronometers are a specialty, it produces luxury complicated timepieces with high sophistication for men and women.

In recent times Kering sold its entire stake in Sowind Group SA which owns the Swiss watch manufacturers Girard-Perregaux and Ulysse Nardin, to its current management.

Vision

Ulysse Nardin’s vision is deeply rooted in its history of technical innovation and daring creativity. Since its founding in 1846 in the Swiss town of Le Locle, the luxury brand has consistently pushed the boundaries of traditional watchmaking, both in terms of engineering precision and avant-garde design. As an independent integrated Manufacture, Ulysse Nardin maintains full control over its production, from the creation of its movements to the final assembly of each watch. This independence allows the brand to explore unconventional paths in horology, embracing cutting-edge technologies and novel materials to redefine what is possible in the world of luxury timepieces.

At the core of Ulysse Nardin’s vision is a commitment to excellence and the pursuit of pushing watchmaking into new, uncharted territories. The company remains true to its heritage of technical mastery while refusing to be confined by the traditional limits of the industry. This is evident in their pioneering work with silicon components, which revolutionized the reliability and precision of mechanical movements. By blending tradition with modern innovation, Ulysse Nardin redefines craftsmanship, creating timepieces that are not only works of art but also marvels of engineering.

The luxury brand’s unconventional approach allows it to break free from the constraints of watchmaking norms, crafting bold and innovative designs that challenge and inspire. Ulysse Nardin continually seeks to blend artistry with technical prowess, delivering watches that are both visually stunning and mechanically superior. This boldness in design and commitment to pushing the envelope reflects their enduring vision of resetting the standards of horological excellence.

Mission Statement

Ulysse Nardin’s mission is to fuse traditional Swiss craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovation, creating timepieces that epitomize technical excellence and artistic brilliance. Rooted in a legacy dating back to 1846, the luxury brand strives to uphold the highest standards of precision and quality in every watch it produces. By being an independent, integrated Manufacture, Ulysse Nardin is able to maintain full control over its creative and production processes, allowing it to push the boundaries of horological engineering while preserving the integrity and craftsmanship that define Swiss watchmaking.

At the heart of Ulysse Nardin’s mission is the relentless pursuit of innovation. The brand constantly explores new materials, technologies, and design concepts to challenge the conventions of watchmaking. This pioneering spirit is exemplified by its early adoption of silicon technology in watch movements, which has set new benchmarks for precision, durability, and reliability. By embracing both tradition and forward-thinking engineering, Ulysse Nardin seeks to continually redefine what is possible in the world of haute horlogerie, crafting timepieces that are not only functional marvels but also bold artistic statements.

Ulysse Nardin is also committed to sustainability and responsible business practices as part of its mission to shape the future of watchmaking. In addition to advancing technical innovation, the brand places emphasis on ethical production methods and reducing its environmental footprint. Through the use of sustainable materials and eco-friendly manufacturing processes, Ulysse Nardin ensures that its vision of progress goes hand-in-hand with its responsibility to the planet. This dedication to craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability is at the core of Ulysse Nardin’s mission to create timepieces that stand the test of time while shaping the future of the industry.

Key Team

Patrick Pruniaux, CEO

Products and Services

Ulysse Nardin offers highly accurate marine chronometers and complicated timepieces used by over fifty of the world’s navies till 1950, each reflecting the luxury brand’s commitment to technical innovation, craftsmanship, and bold design. Its product line is built on a rich history of maritime-inspired timepieces, while its modern collections showcase cutting-edge technology and artistic creativity.

Ulysse Nardin’s products, collections, and services reflect the brand’s dedication to combining technical mastery with artistic vision. From the maritime-inspired Marine Collection to the avant-garde Freak Collection, each watch embodies the brand’s pursuit of innovation and craftsmanship.

Ulysse Nardin also emphasizes personalization through bespoke services, ensuring that each timepiece is tailored to the individual client. Backed by cutting-edge technologies like silicon movements and a strong focus on after-sales care, Ulysse Nardin continues to stand at the forefront of luxury horology, offering watches and services that meet the highest standards of excellence.

References

• Official website Ulysse-Nardin
• Luxury goods conglomerate snaps up Ulysse Nardin National Jeweller
• Patrick Pruniaux, CEO of Ulysse Nardin Telegraph
• Larry King Recognized by Ulysse Nardin Haute Living
• LinkedIn profile of Ulysse-Nardin LinkedIn
• Ulysse Nardin ‘Profoundly Moved and Distraught’ by Sudden Death of its CEO Forbes
• Ulysse Nardin’s Marine Torpilleur And Marine Tourbillon Torpedo To Value-Consciousness Forbes
• Ulysse Nardin’s First Sponsorship Quill and Pad
• Facebook profile of Ulysse-Nardin Facebook
• Evolution Of The Ulysse Nardin Freak Watch Hour Glass
• Kering On Ulysse Nardin Acquisition Forbes
• Kering announces the sale of Girard-Perregaux and Ulysse Nardin Kering
• Twitter profile of Ulysse-Nardin Twitter
• Patrick Pruniaux On The Brands’ Departure From The Kering Group Hodinkee
• The Ulysse Nardin Freak ‘Freak Out’ Full Black Hodinkee
• Launch of patriotic-themed watch Forbes
• Instagram profile of Ulysse-Nardin Instagram
• FHH Certification haute Horlogerie
• Wikipedia profile of Ulysse-Nardin Wikipedia