Ulysse Nardin Dual Time, Quadrato Automatic Watch Review

Ulysse Nardin dual time watches follow the entry level Classico, offering between two or three complications, second time zone being the primary. The timepieces come with an in-house manufactured automatic (self-winding) movement, equipped with a bracelet or a leather strap. Additional features include water resistance to 100 meters and silverized dials.

All dual time watches carry on their left side two distinctive push buttons that make the collection immediately recognizable: these pushers regulate the second time display – by pushing them, hours will jump backward or forward. There are two main lines, round shaped, and square (or nearly square), which has been given the name Quadrato.

Quadrato watches deserve a special mention not only for their unique equilateral shape (which has been espoused by Tag Heuer Monaco, for instance), but also for their use of color, and unusually thick, prominent lines on the dials. These lines paint the large Arabic numerals, the indexes, and an inner border, not unlike a street curb – creating a sweeping, vivid composition. This is the reason Ulysse Nardin watches are such fun to look at.

Materials include stainless steel, gold, usually rose, diamonds, and mother of pearl. The last two adorn the Ladies Dual Time line, the stones covering the Roman numerals, and the mother-of-pearl making up the face backdrop. Overall, the brand employs a limited range of materials (compared to other high-end Swiss companies), preferring to highlight the large second time display instead.

Design

Besides the previously mentioned dial arrangements, several other features determine the character of the Dual Time. First, it's the thick bezel (round models) – a necessary modification that generates a sense of harmony with the oversized quarter hour markers. Second is the array of various dial embellishments, be it a sunray pattern, or simply a black background. Third is the heavy sword hands, reminiscent of sea vessels – a trait that recurs in other Ulysse Nardin watches as well.