Reply With QuoteGreat story and pictures, many thanks for taking the trouble to post it.
Did promise a couple of weeks ago on a UN thread that I'd try and post some pics of mine up, so here goes. Not the best pics in the world, my 2 daughters who are 2 and 4 months dont really let me have the time to spend sorting out better ones, but here goes.
Not sure there is a huge amount of love for UN's on here, guess they are a bit marmite, but for me, they were probably the reason for getting me into watches properly, or to be more precise, The Freak was. Only ever saw pictures of them though, never got to see any in the flesh. Then, after a visit to Switzerland, my parents brought me back a catalogue with a number of UN's in it, including the Sonata which I just fell for.
Couple of years later, I was in Vegas and stumbled across a dealer there, and didnt want to come out!! Loads of makes, but they had a large selection of UN's, including the Sonata, so I just had to have it. No Freaks, but the way the pound/dollar exchange rate was back then, I ended up coming out with two.
My first UN, a Sonata
And my second, a limited edition skeleton.
Was really pleased with them, in effect I'd got a grail watch with the Sonata, and the Skeleton was just something different. Still didnt have a Freak, in fact still not managed to even hold one.
Then, about 6 months later, I got a call from Vegas, they had a Freak in, and was I interested? Not really a fair question, as it took about a nano second to say yes and reel off my credit card number!! At last, I'd got one. Only issue was it was in Vegas, and I was in Manchester. Had to wait another couple of months before I could get it, but so worth the wait. The way it works is just so different, and a manual wind giving a weeks wear. Love just to watch it through an eyepiece with all the cogs moving together.
I'd probably had it about 2 months when I got another call from Vegas. When I was there, I'd asked about the limited run Freak called the Diamonsil, but they had long been snapped up. They'd remembered the conversation and phoned me to see if I was interested in the other limited run Freak at the time, the Diamond Heart. Little more difficult this one, as it was a bit more blingy than anything I'd had before, and I had the wife asking why I needed another watch that "was just the same as that one". They had Switzerland on the phone on the other line, and would like an answer pretty much there and then. Heart won over head and I guess this will be the one that is probably the most marmite out of the lot of them, but here is my Diamond Heart Freak.
Fortunately, it all died down a little on the UN front until they released the Moonstruck. That bowled me over so straight on the phone to Vegas to get my name down for one. Again, looks wise, not everyone's cup of tea but I love it and again, a real marvel in the work that goes into it. Its a celestial watch showing the position of the moon and sun, yes I know a watch is meant to tell the time and anything else is a bonus, but I'm sure you all appreciate the feats of engineering that has gone into this piece.
Finally, at Basel a couple of years ago on the UN stand getting shown their new pieces, and the final new one was this, the El Toro. In rose gold, thought it looked stunning, maybe the dial is a little busy but didnt put me off. Its a great watch to wear, and the looks have just grown on me even more. Though having said that, some may notice that the date and day are out, not quite sure how that happened, or how I'll fix it but hopefully you can enjoy the pic.
So there you have, my UN family, hope you all enjoyed it.
Malc
Great story and pictures, many thanks for taking the trouble to post it.
Sweet Jesus!
That is a helluva collection.
And in Manchester you say??
Sign yourself up to the next get-together for gods sake man!
Only been the owner of one UN, a stunning 18ct gold model from 1946 now long gone.
Sorry, photo's have never been my strong-suit. This was my first attempt at using a light box.
I e.mailed Ulysse Nardin with some photo's of this and the movement number etc asking for some information and they couldn't have been more helpful.
They had detailed records and it is only through them that I managed to date it to 1946 - previously I'd guessed at late 60's given its size (39mm).
Anyway, awesome collection and I'm jealous!
Wow, wow, wow! What a collection there. The Sonata in particular is beautiful, as is the Moonstruck.
Two Freaks? That's just greedy! :lol: But it's one of the few watches where the diamond works. The Freak itself is amazing, so why not really show it off with some diamonds?
Now that's a collection! :shock: :shock: :shock:
Stunning watches and a great story. Thanks for posting.
WOW - what a collection :)
loving the Freak.
The El Toro is amazing, really love the look of that.
Great collection, thanks for sharing.
Wow! Those are some amazing pieces you have there.
The mind boggles what's in the rest of your collection. Fancy doing a SOTC?
None of these are for me, but I am certain the workmanship is fine and quality okay. At least, I have not heard anything to the contrary.
I actually like some of the older UN models but for some reason have never bought one.
I do tip my hat to passion how ever and you certainly seem to take your UNs seriously.
I am sure you are well chuffed with your collection.
Great post - many thanks for sharing
Andy
Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.
Friedrich Nietzsche
To be honest, I'm not sure on the residuals at all. Of the ones I have, I've only ever seen a Sonata and a Freak up for sale, guess they'd be for quite a limited audience anyway. And they're certainly not going anywhere so they wont be appearing on SC to test it either. :)Originally Posted by learningtofly
Malc
I was just watching this a little while earlier:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPIsvIm6jnw
Unfortunately way out of my league but beautiful collection nonetheless!!
Thanks for sharing!
I am speechless! What a collection!
Will you adopt me? :D
Amazing collection. Love all of them especially the Sonata.
Very focused collection - thank you for sharing.
Never really considered UN's - guess I am too 'traditional' ?
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
Cheers for that Malc - you weren't wrong when you said you don't mind a little bling 8)
You've done the pics, now we just need to hear the Sonata - never satisfied here :lol: :lol: :lol:
The Freak really is something else, a watch I've always had a soft spot for.
Gray
Wow, very unique watches. An excellent collection and will certainly get looks and comments from many people.
Amazing watches, very refreshing to see something unusual and unique around here; thanks for sharing.
8)
Wow, stunning collection! And yes very few fans of UN which is a shame I think. Not sure why, maybe because many of their watches are ETA based? Bit of a fan myself as I have three, much more modest than yours though.
Here's the one I'm wearing right now, sorry for the poor quality.
PS - is the Vegas shop the one next to the Venice "ceiling"? Bumped into them earlier this year...I was "glued"!
Good god, what a collection :shock:
I've always had a soft spot for Ulysse, but most of what I like are out of my price range. The old chronometer appealed to me, but the Sewills quenched that lust :)
Love the Sonata 8)
Awesome collection from a fantastic company, very well done :)
What a great post!
I liked it 1000 times more than those standaard submariner/sd collections. The (normal) freak looks great!
stonking collection, that was probably my Ulysse thread. I am still looking but it will be the MM Diver for me i think.
Wow... great range of UN there... I second the SOTC request!
Much respect for an awesome collection. Those are some horological rarities right there. Thanks for letting us have a peek.
Malc, thanks for posting those. Not the kind of watches we see an awful lot of. That's a very interesting collection.
regards,
Nick
WOW!
The "Freak" looks so much better here than on the promotional pictures!
Thanks for sharing.
super collection. well done
Something different and very nice - many thanks for taking the time to share!
Great collection, and nice to see something so different. I especially like the El Toro.
Wonderful!! You have my two grail watches in your collection!! Thanks for sharing
Great family , great story, thanks for sharing !
My two:
:shock:
Very enjoyable :)
That's a mighty fine collection if I may say so.........
Daddel.
Got a new watch, divers watch it is, had to drown the bastard to get it!
impressive collection, love the sonata
The Freak is unbelievable.
Congratz for your amazing collection.
Thanks for showing, love UNs beautifully crafted pieces, looking to get a Blue Surf soon.
Wow.. Makes my lone MMD look crass :D
I think I stumbled into the same dealer in Vegas... Forum shops at Caesar's? They had a limited edition Sonata which cost more than my Lexus but I almost went for it anyway - a close call :) and oh that sound!
Congrats and enjoy them :)
Most impressive collection!
And it shows how far UN has gone from this:
at the same time remaining so close.
thanks for posting - amazing watches .. The Sonata would be my favourite .. Makes my UN Maxi Marine seem very hum drum ...
Some amazing watches there, thanks for sharing. I tried some nice ones on at the AD in Kuala Lumpar but couldn't stretch to anything that fancy! :D.
Simply stunning collection.
I am working towards a Freak as well, most probably the blue phantom to go with the blue max.
Lovely collection, thank you for sharing.
Chris
op- you are nuts. but in a nice way :albino:
Good luck everybody. Have a good one.
Thanks for all the comments, didnt think there was much UN love on here, shows what I know.
Will try to do a SOTC, but its a little difficult because of kids and time.
And in answer to the AD I've used, its Roman Times in Caesars Palace, who I know have had a few mentions on here previously. They also run the Hublot boutique next door. Thoroughly recommend them if anyone is going Vegas.
Malc
Thudd !......that is the sound of my jaw hitting the floor, what a collection. Not sure they will appeal to every taste, mine included, but some beautifull designs in that lot. I think i'm right in saying the Ulysse Nardin have been awarded more gold medals in the watch making than any other maker, and you can see why.
I only have one now and its my favorite dress watch.
Thanks for starting this thread and sharing your stunning collection. I have always been an admirer of [some] Ulysse Nardin watches but this has really broadened my thinking.
I really like all of them for being unique designs. I love the Sonata and the El Toro but not all of them are equally brilliant IMHO. Still, 2 thumbs for your not so average collection! :thumbright: :thumbleft:
OMG!!!
:shock: :shock: :shock:
Mine says hi...
(I must not be jealous, I must not be jealous, I must not be jealous...)
Cheers,
Posting Permissions
