Ulysse Nardin Stranger, two pictures, and some thoughts.

Oct 15, 2014,05:17 AM
 

Finally!

Finally, I had the opportunity to see this Watch, which was unveiled last year on rose gold, and this year in white gold.

2013:

 

2014:

 

And to take some pictures at the UN Paris Boutique.

The Watch is huge, with its 45 mm and thick, which is much more obvious in the real than in pictures.

Overall, the aesthetics don't disappoint, when you are facing the Watch in the flesh.

And the dial is just spectacular.

Which fascinated me, when knowing the existence of that Watch was the concept: A music box on the wrist. How brilliant is that idea!

Now, when you have the opportunity to listen to it, you are disappointed, a bit. Not because of the quality of the sound, which is undisputable.

But because the melody is playing too low. For example, a Sonata is playing much louder!

Here are the two pictures of the 2014 version, in white gold:

 

 

I don't like the date, but in the real it is more discrete. Though, without, it would be better!

I like the cold appeal and look of the white gold case, I must say.

One last word on a detail I loved a lot... The selector, located in the crown. As you can see, at 5 o clock, you have a window with 3 letters, T, D, W.

Use the pusher to select the function: T for setting the time by setting the crown. D for Date, and W for winding. Original, funny, as well.

What are your thoughts on that one?

Best,

Nicolas

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Comments: view entire thread

 

Overall I agree with your assessment.

 
 By: Mitch K : October 15th, 2014-19:48
I ordered mine with a bit of skepticism. The pictures were nice and I liked the concept. When I received the watch, I must say that I was bowled over. In the metal it is so much more stunning then I had imagined. Yes the dial is fantastic. It was truly lo... 
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Thanks for your very interesting feedback, Mitch.

 
 By: amanico : October 15th, 2014-23:35
As for my acoustical observations, you are right. I have no comparisons in mind, other than the Sonata, the Master Minute Repeater, and my Alarms. So, I was expecting a louder sound. But never heard other " music box " on the wrist. It had to be added, in... 
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I saw one this week...

 
 By: Dave G : October 16th, 2014-09:57
In WG at a large dealer here in Hong Kong. Like so many other UN pieces (Hourstriker, Freak, Moonstruck) from UN, they have such originality. But you are right....what a big watch. 42mm or less would be great...but perhaps the movement needs the larger ca... 
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Unlike in other watch brands, UN tends to make the case to fit the movement.

 
 By: Mitch K : October 16th, 2014-20:55
The Stranger is a larger case because it had to be and still be a watch. I could imagine that a music box alone could be in a smaller case but you have to not only include the music box function but also the watch function as well and all that goes along ... 
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Thanks for your insight.   ...

 
 By: Dave G : October 16th, 2014-21:22
Thanks for your insight. I do like all these unique pieces, and would have guessed the Stranger size was for reasons you suggest or for acoustical properties of the case, etc. Your points on the Moonstruck are interesting and I wonder how the complexity c... 
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Excellent question about the Trilogy. I don't have an answer but will have to find out.

 
 By: Mitch K : October 17th, 2014-20:57
The first issue is that I don't have a clue how the Trilogy work. Will have to find out. Mitch
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Unless you are an astronomist, I think many people don't get how...

 
 By: amanico : October 17th, 2014-22:34
The Trilogy works.... Don't worry... ;) Best, Nicolas
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Making the case fit the movement. That is very interesting, Mitch.

 
 By: amanico : October 16th, 2014-22:33
I didn't tink about that, because of some watches like the Freak. The movement size is basically the same from the one to the last one, or did I miss something? But the case gained, through years, three good milimeters. On some of their watches, yes, and ... 
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Same thing with the perpetual...

 
 By: Dave G : October 17th, 2014-01:21
Same thing with the perpetual from 38mm to 40mm to 42mm...same movement and the hourstriker as well grew to 42mm. Can see the same case changes getting larger in the Marine line as well with the same movement. On 17 Oct, 2014, at 13:33, www watchprosite &... 
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What I had in mind... [nt]

 
 By: amanico : October 17th, 2014-01:58
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I am am sure that you are right in that some of the watches

 
 By: Mitch K : October 17th, 2014-21:03
in the line have "grown" while the movements have not. I am thinking about he diver watches. The Freak in its multiple iterations seems to fit whatever case that it is in and I have not seen evidence of a ring or other "enhancement". Mtich
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Yes, the Marine line has grown, but we have to check the dimensions of the Cal 118.

 
 By: amanico : October 17th, 2014-22:31
The new in house movement from the brand with the Anchor... That was true for the Marine line powered by the ETA.... Best, Nicolas
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Sorry I missed this post until now

 
 By: MichaelC : October 29th, 2014-06:39
Thanks for the live photos! My first reaction is the dial is MUCH more dimensional than the press photos show. And that is great visually. Of course, it does add to the thickness, but for this watch, that definitely seems OK. Hope to see one of these up c... 
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