Ulysse Nardin Michelangelo Watch Review: Gigante, Dual Time, Ludovico

Ulysse Nardin Michelangelo collection further demonstrates the brand's canny ability to incorporate large scale, architectural form into a wrist sized watch. The designers reduce the number of visual components, giving the oversized numerals and the extra-thick case space to interact with fluent grace. Michelangelo timepieces stand out chiefly for their tonneau shape; depending on the colors and other dial elements, the overall resulting effect can be either of a classic elegance, or a somewhat quirky playfulness.

Inside the cases work officially certified chronometer movements, chronographs, or date or dual time complicated calibers. Dual time essentially repeats the chief complication of the eponymous collection, while the Ludovico line encases a perpetual calendar. Additional lines include the Gigante, and Ladies.

Gigante line relishes the generally oversized design, enhancing it with a single aperture date at six o'clock (at the bottom of the seconds subdial), and a power reserve indicator (42 hours). Equipped with a bracelet or a strap, these pieces resist water up to 50 meters; materials include stainless steel and rose gold. Undoubtedly, the most surprising feature in Gigante watches is the chronometer movement: one doesn't expect such high precision from such a lordly, portly piece.

Ludovico Perpetual

Ludovico injects the tonneau design with some serious “brain power” – doing it, however, discreetly, almost inconspicuously. Day of the week, date, year, and month displays were distributed symmetrically around the hands, and merge seamlessly with the background. Another surprise.

Michelangelo Lady employ stainless steel, diamonds (partially paved dials in some models; set bezels), and lots and lots of glowing warm colors (pink, golden brown, peach, soft blue, white). Some of the designs look vaguely similar to Ebel Beluga Tonneau watches, though Ulysse Nardin take a more jewelry- inspired playful approach by inlaying the faces with diamonds or metallic ornament. Leather straps is the most common variation, though some variations come with bracelets.