Ulysse Nardin Executive Dual Hour Review

I remember the first time I saw the Executive Dual Time watch. I visited Ulysse Nardin at a watch trade show and saw some models that I was not yet familiar with. Obviously they are UN watches, but they don’t have the typical UN look that many associate with the brand. The “Executive” in the name seems to imply that the UN wants these watches to be aimed at business people looking for reliable everyday wear. The construction is impressive and I can’t get over that super clear dial – but do I love this watch?

After using the Ulysse Nardin Executive Dual Time watch for a while, I can easily say that I really like this watch. I wasn’t sure at first, but this piece really took me seriously – thanks in large part to a combination of factors including movement, legibility and quality. I still don’t know how it fits into the overall DNA of the Ulysse Nardin line, and frankly, I don’t even care. Ulysse Nardin is an independent watch maker – they can design and release whatever they like without having to make sure it fits some prescribed mold.

This particular Executive Dual Time watch is numbered # 243-00/42. Look online and you’ll find a wide variety of styles in the collection. The stainless steel (also 18k rose gold) case is 43mm wide with a very wide lug construction and strap. This makes it feel larger on the wrist while not looking like a big watch. 43mm wide isn’t too big today, and the mostly round case with thick bezels makes it look less bulky on the wrist. The bezel reminds you it’s black ceramic. Here, materials are used appropriately to add color, gloss, and of course the high level of scratch resistance of ceramics.

Ulysse Nardin does a great job of making this case interesting, but not too weird. Fully polished, the finish is well done, and the little details on the case keep it from getting boring. The proprietary strap connection on the lugs forces you to only buy the Ulysse Nardin strap, but you might argue that it deserves the unique look. Even the details on the crown guard and the crown with the UN logo can be easily appreciated. On the other side of the case are two ceramic buttons and a serial number plate. While this is not a limited edition watch, Ulysse Nardin likes to personalize each piece with a nameplate bearing its unique serial number.

What impresses me is that the Executive Dual Time is water resistant to 100 meters. It’s not terribly high or anything, but it exceeds my expectations for this type of watch. Above the dial is a sapphire crystal with just the right amount of AR coating to prevent glare as much as possible. Another sapphire crystal sits above the case back to reveal the movement.

As I said, dial legibility is excellent. I think one of the main advantages of the series. On this model, the dial is a smooth black with a mix of applied and printed hour markers. UN appropriately uses diamond-cut and polished indexes and hands to create a high level of contrast, while retaining the desire for polished metal.

Design-wise, the dial has a large rectangular minute indicator and circular secondary seconds dial, among other elements that don’t seem to come together on paper. This combination of seemingly random design cues from brands like Cartier and Roger Dubuis actually makes sense — but probably not at first. Like I said, I wasn’t drawn to the watch’s dial design until I lived with it for a while. Now I really appreciate the combination of elegance and functionality. The dial does have lumens, but not a lot. Quality SuperLumiNova parts are used for the hands and some hour markers on the inner scale. Having said that, the high-contrast dial itself is easy to read in the dark without Luminous.

What about the dual time function? Ulysse Nardin fake apparently released this system back in 1996, and it’s still a powerful module made by the brand. Inside this watch is the caliber UN-24 automatic movement. This is composed of a modified Swiss ETA 2892 automatic movement. Above it is a special Athens module that adds a large date indicator and second time zone. What struck me about UN-24 was two things. First, the movement runs very smoothly. You’ll feel that all the kinks have been worked out from the movement long ago, and making adjustments feels safe and controllable. Sometimes the movements feel as if they have little work and development is rushed – but not here.

The date adjustment feature you’ll love is the ability to adjust dates back and forth. Trust me – it’s a good thing. The dual time function is displayed through a window that displays the time in 24-hour format. This is the same function as GMT, but it uses a disc with a GMT hand to indicate a second time zone. Both times change when you adjust the time via the crown. The trick lies in the two buttons on the left side of the case – these are used to change the local time (main dial) forwards and backwards. The result is an easy-to-read, easy-to-adjust GMT watch for travel. There are even handy plus and minus signs on the putter. The ability to move the date and time zone in both directions shows a dedication to user experience, which is actually a bit of a rarity in this industry.

Compared to many watches, the Executive Dial Time replica watch gets quite a few compliments on my wrist. I guess it does have a nice “execution” look. The strap is available in textured rubber and alligator leather. The bi-fold button expander is made of smooth polished metal in a style I’ve never seen before. Even that element has a lot of attention. Overall, it’s the many little details that make this great watch. I warmly compliment it to anyone who might benefit from its functionality and see this beautiful watch on their wrist.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Fagliano hands-on

Ninety years old. Do you know what else can make 90 years old in 221 years of our Lord? Willie Mays. Empire State Building. The Stars and Stripes (the official national anthem of the United States). The same 90 is Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso—an indisputable classic in the important watch dictionary of the last century. With so many, many watch fans who travel frequently say that every series needs a Reverso, right in the box, next to Speedmaster and Submariner. Now, I usually try to avoid the “starter pack” mentality, which tends to tell many new collectors who may not know it at all, but when it comes to this art deco formal watch legend, I happily tend to support With the idea of ​​a hive. Why? Because Reverso-to borrow contemporary parlance-is definitely a slap in the face.

Introduced in 1931, Reverso is one of the rare watches born out of sports needs-you may already know the story. If you are a newcomer, in short, Reverso’s unique hinged dial can be flipped to protect the delicate crystal from the wrong polo mallet swing. Because of this, even in all its sophisticated Art Deco styles, even in 18k rose gold, the heavily decorated modern Reverso still has the strange sturdiness of a tool watch-as if it is still an object for a specific purpose, and It’s not just another evening accessory like most traditional formal watches.

It seems that every 5 or 10 years, we will launch a series of limited edition Reversos for the most recent anniversary. Of course, this is not Jaeger-LeCoultre‘s most primitive modus operandi, but at the same time, anniversaries often produce the most wearable or the most interesting and desirable interpretations-and this Duoface Fagliano version comes from the Tribute series, To commemorate Reverso’s 90 years old is certainly not inferior. The packaging features a gorgeous red sunburst dial that contrasts sharply with the rose gold case and hour markers, and is equipped with a textured burgundy leather strap handmade by Jaeger-LeCoultre’s manufacturing partner Casa Fagliano, famous for Casa Fagliano Argentine boots manufacturer, has produced five generations since then, it was founded in 1832 by itself.

Generally speaking, suede leather is the perfect texture complement and can help to decorate overly elegant designs. It adds some canvas here that is particularly good, helping to balance the obvious “precious” of decorative elements and contrast with all golden frames. The bright red dial has a rough, masculine texture. Speaking of masculinity, this particular design is larger than the most traditional Reverso, 47 mm high and more than 28 mm wide. Now, if you are new to the world of Reverso, it has traditionally been a very small watch-and it usually takes some time to get used to it. This slightly larger case (in part due to its hidden complexity) helps bridge the gap between the obvious dressing of the original and makes it more in line with the style that modern collectors might prefer.

However, for the Reverso form, the fun begins when you unlock the case hinge and turn it over. The earliest Reversos-and now the most faithful replica of the modern “Monoface” found in the Tribute series, with only a solid metal back-are also polo mallet countermeasures. But here, we not only have another beautifully textured eggshell dial, but also the time display in 12 and 24 hour formats. The 854A/2 movement, called Duoface, powers this dual chronograph complication. It was specially developed by Jaeger-LeCoultre in 1994 for Reverso, allowing the wearer to independently set either side (using a flush with the top) The tiny hidden slider caseband above 12:00) or show two different time zones, Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Fagliano

This is not the first time Jaeger-LeCoultre has borrowed a modern Tribute to refer to its Duoface treatment-it has stainless steel, rose gold and blue dials to choose from, but this is the first time we have seen it in red, and the use is inspired by polo boots A stronger strap configuration of its own. All in all, it is probably the most natural and practical way to implement a double-sided watch, and it has injected a new modern utility into Reverso that has not been fully seen since it patrolled polo courts. I really like its rose gold, it produces a particularly chic canvas on which red and white dials can be set. Although I have this type of strap now, my curiosity makes me wonder what it would look like if JLC stripped the Reverso further to its sturdy sports core.

Specification
Brand: Jaeger-LeCoultre
Model: Reverso Tribute Duoface Fagliano (ref. Q398256J)
Dimensions: 47 x 28.3mm x 10.3mm
Water resistance: 30 meters
Case material: 18k rose gold
Crystal/Lens: Sapphire
Movement: Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 28 (manual winding, dual time)
Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds. Back: second time zone, 24-hour day/night display
Power reserve: 42 hours
Strap/Bracelet: Bi-material cordovan leather and canvas, handmade by Casa Fagliano, 18k rose gold pin buckle