The red “24” on the power-reserve subdial is a reminder to re-wind the watch.
The power reserve is more novelty than necessity on the modern watch, however, as it is powered by a self-winding movement, Ulysse Nardin’s Caliber UN-118, designed in-house and visible through a sapphire exhibition caseback. This caseback viewing window is also a departure from the design of the original Torpilleur models, which had solid, engraved casebacks. As one would expect from a watch of this pedigree, this movement boasts a COSC chronometer certification as well as Ulysse Nardin’s in-house certificate, indicating that it has passed a series of tests for timekeeping precision. In addition to the aforementioned lengthy power reserve, its technical highlights include an escapement made of a material called Diamonsil, which consists of synthetic diamond grown on a silicon base; an oscillator with a patented inertial balance wheel, and the patented silicon hairspring. The partially openworked rotor is enhanced with Ulysse Nardin’s nautically inspired anchor motif.
Ulysse Nardin’s in-house-designed Caliber 118 powers the watch.
The model’s limited edition number (out of 173 pieces) appears in a plaque on the side of the case.
Ulysse Nardin’s anchor logo decorates the screw-down crown.
The Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur Military Semper Fortis, mounted on a blue sailcloth strap with four oversized white stitches, is limited to 173 pieces — one for each year since Ulysse Nardin founded his eponymous company in 1846. (For those unaware, “torpilleur” is a French term for a small, swift-moving torpedo boat and “Semper Fortis,” a Latin phrase meaning “Always Strong,” is the motto of the U.S. Navy, similar to the more familiar “Semper Fi” motto of the U.S. Marine Corps.) Priced at $7,900, and dropping in late September, the watch will be exclusively sold in the United States.
The Marine Torpilleur series takes its name from the French term for a torpedo boat.
The watch fastens securely to the wrist with a blue sailcloth strap.