Marine chronometer manners, sensible price
By Marco Bellini, Zurich ·
Ulysse Nardin built its name on marine chronometers for ships, and the Torpilleur borrows the look: the large numerals, the reserve indicator, the railway minute track.
The UN-118 is the brand's own automatic, 60 hours, with a silicon balance spring and escape wheel. Silicon is not magic, but it is non-magnetic and needs no oil on those surfaces, which over a service interval is a real advantage.
42 mm by 12.5 mm, steel, leather, 50 m. A marine name with 50 m is a bit ironic. It is a dress watch with a nautical dial, so wear it like one.
9,900 to 10,900 USD. Cheaper than the IWC Portugieser Automatic 42, with less reserve and a less famous winding system, and in my view a better proportioned case. The one to pick if you want an in-house automatic at this price and don't need the name.