Ulysse Nardin Classic Sonata Dual-Time Alarm


Ulysse Nardin recently announced an instant push-button dual-time watch with a unique alarm that features a cathedral gong.

The Classic Sonata is presented in a 44 mm diameter stainless steel case with a fixed titanium bezel. In the center of the dial is a blue Geneva stripe motif. Prominent “Glaive” sword-shaped skeletonized luminescent hour and minute hands display the local time in conjunction with hand applied dagger-shaped faceted and polished hour indices. There is also a long baton-shaped central seconds hand. Although it is worth noting, that there is not a minute or second scale for the central time display.

The crown at 3 o’clock controls the local time (hours, minutes, seconds). And the crown at 9 o’clock controls the date, while the pusher on that crown turns the alarm on and off.

Ulysse-Nardin-Classic-Sonata-soldier-shot.jpg

At 6 o’clock is the 24-hour format second hour hand, which can be set to home time or local time. Interestingly, these push buttons, which allow you to advance or retard the Dual-Time hour in the display at 6 o’clock, are also connected to the alarm display/function at 1 o’clock, in that they sync with the alarm in regards to AM/PM. However, the alarm is set by the crown.

The crescent-shaped aperture in the center of the alarm display shows the current power reserve level.

One of the highlights of the Classic Sonata is that instead of a standard buzzer sound – like on most alarm watches – the Classic Sonata timepiece utilizes a more sonorous and pleasing cathedral gong chime.

The Classic Sonata is powered by caliber UN-67 which is automatic and features a silicon hairspring and a patented inertial oscillator. The power reserve is 42-hours.

sonata_movement.jpg

“The movement enables the stunning complications for which Ulysse Nardin is known, like the exclusive alarm setting, which wakes the user with a melodic cathedral gong. Positioned between 12 and 2 o’clock, it boasts a 12h or 24h alarm setting, which means the alarm can be set for a.m. or p.m. The hand at 10 o’clock denotes whether or not the alarm is activated. And in another achievement for this mechanical watch, the alarm is synchronized with the Dual Time system when traveling.”

The Classic Sonata is a boutique exclusive limited to 99 pieces. Water-resistance is 30 meters. Each watch comes with a matching blue alligator leather strap with a folding buckle clasp. The retail price is $28,000. (Ref. 673-05/93-BQ)