Okay, here goes yet another limited-edition version of the Marine Diver collection. It is the fourth year in a row that the Swiss watchmaking brand sponsors the annual Monaco Yacht Show. This Ulysse Nardin Marine Diver Monaco (ref. 263-98LE-3C_MON) specifically celebrates this fact, which is only just considering that the diving companion looks like the best candidate for a nice trip on a newly bought vessel. The new version doesn’t differ too much from other Marine Divers, so I’ll be brief.
The timekeeper still comes in a high-grade steel body with its signature rubber coating.
Using a simple vulcanization process, Ulysse Nardine not only prevents the steel “skeleton” from rusting but also reduces possible damage both to the timekeeper itself, as well as to precious woods that decorate a high-class yacht if the watch falls accidentally either on a deck or on some expensive piece of furniture.
Like the rest of the series, the Marine Diver Monaco sports the same Caliber UN-26 automatic movement. Based on the good old ETA 2892 blank movement, the mechanism features a personalized blue oscillating weight and is considered to be more reliable than an average caliber of this series thanks to tighter quality control.
The movement is visible through the transparent case back, but only partly since the anti-reflective sapphire crystal is decorated with the familiar logo of the Principality of Monaco.
As usual for this kitschy family, the watch adds to the mix of steel and rubber a grain of gold (on the dial and the rotating bezel) and a bit of black scratch-resistant ceramics, which is limited to the rubber strap and the folding clasp that secures the piece to the wrist.
With only 100 individually numbered (as usual, the serial number is engraved on the left side of the case) pieces to be produced, the asking price of €11,200 isn’t particularly excessive.
Yes, the ETA movement that powers it is not something to write home about and even the blue PVD-treated oscillating weight doesn’t look terribly exciting, but the Swiss brand is known for the thoroughness that its quality control engineers apply upon expecting each and every blank caliber, adjusting (and even replacing substandard parts with better ones, if need be) them to the highest standards that Ulysse Nardin has made its real trademark during all these years.
See also: Ulysse Nardin Marine Diver Black Sea (263-92-3C)
Photos: Ulysse Nardin
Ulysse Nardin Marine Diver Monaco 263-98LE-3C_MON specification
Price: €11,200 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, Caliber UN-26 (base ETA 2892), Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 28
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 42 hours
Movement decoration: Branded rotor
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, power reserve
Case: Stainless steel with blue rubber coating
Shape: Round
Size: 45.80 mm
Dial: Black
Numerals: Arabic (on the bezel)
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Rose gold, luminous
Water resistance: 200 meters
Strap: Blue rubber band with wave pattern, two black ceramic elements, and a ceramic folding clasp
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Sapphire, antireflective, with the logo of the Principality of Monaco in the center of the crystal