The late Rolf Schnyder turned 75 last year, and to celebrate Ulysse Nardin created the Freak Diavolo Rolf 75. The Freak is Ulysse Nardin's most important halo timepiece collection, and a project that Mr. Schnyder took great pride in ever since the original Freak was introduced in 2001. Here is a quote from the late UN founder, "I fell in love with this grand old brand and our new innovative direction. To celebrate my 75th birthday, I've chosen the Freak because it was an historic breakthrough for Ulysse Nardin and for the watch industry in general, and it is by far our most important piece." In a tribute to the Freak's importance, and to the importance of Mr. Schnyder to the Ulysse Nardin brand, one of these watches remained on Rolf Schnyder's wrist during his cremation.

Please click here for more images of the Ulysse Nardin Freak Diavolo Rolf 75 by Peter Chong.

"With the passing of Rolf W. Schnyder, the watchmaking industry has lost one of its greatest visionaries, while Ulysse Nardin has lost an important source of innovation for the firm. We are profoundly moved and distraught at this sudden loss. Our full sympathies are with his wife and his three children, to whom we would like to express our sincere condolences," said Susanne Hurni, press officer and head of media relations at Ulysse Nardin. Because a succession plan was already in place, the operational running of the business by the current members of management can be kept going without interruption, and continued in the spirit of Rolf W. Schnyder's vision.

Rolf W. Schnyder had acquired the family firm Ulysse Nardin in 1983, and since that time held the role of president and CEO at the helm of the manufacturer with its wealth of tradition. Under his leadership, Ulysse Nardin rose once more to the top of the mechanical watchmaking sector, with numerous innovations such as the first astronomical wrist watches.

(Click on image for gallery - 3 photos)

Ulysse Nardin is once again an official sponsor of the 2010 Monaco Yacht Show - the World's Luxury Yacht Showplace - and celebrates the superyacht exhibition's 20th anniversary with the new, limited-edition Monaco 2010 Marine Diver.

At first it appears like the case of this watch is a DLC coated steel or titanium, however, it is actually a specially treated stainless steel that has been blackened. It has not been blackened with the typical PVD process, instead a vulcanization process was used and the result in a matte black rubber surface. The vulcanized rubber provides a very hard outer coating (more resistant than stainless steel to scratches) on the case and bezel, although DLC is much harder. The case is 45.8 mm in diameter and has an open back that allows a view of the automatic movement, including a black Ulysse Nardin signed oscillating weight.

The dial, bezel and strap have a matching black wave design that signifies the sporty nature of this casual diver. The hands and markers are painted bright blue, which contrasts nicely with all the black dial.

At 10 o'clock a power reserve indicator displays the amount of power remaining in the mainspring (42 hours power reserve). An oversized small seconds dial is located at 6 o'clock. A date window is located in the center of the sub seconds register, with a cyclops window over the top of the aperture (magnifies the date).

The soft rubber strap features ceramic components as well as an exclusive black ceramic folding clasp (ceramic is used to improve the durability of the strap). Water-resistance is 200 meters (666ft). Limited to 100 pieces worldwide.

Retail TBD

Source: Ulysse Nardin

Caprice Tiger in White Gold.

A woman, like the tiger, possesses a mysterious poetry of strength, power and sensuality, emitting a presence that is both commanding and curious. Ulysse Nardin feeds her fantasies with the Caprice Tiger: a jewel of a timepiece worthy of a fierce fight.

The Caprice Tiger in 18-karat white gold transfixes those who cross its path. With eyes made of emeralds and a form glistening with diamonds, the tiger, although dreamlike, appears alive, as if it's moving stealthily through the grasses. It is a creature of wonder, as enchanting and mystifying as the woman whose wrist it adorns. A piece of jewelry that stands confidently in its own splendor, the Caprice Tiger illustrates the convergence of high horology and breathtaking aesthetic.

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Ulysse Nardin introduced the El Toro timepiece at Baselworld 2010 last month. The "Moonstruck" style case comes in a 43 mm diameter, in either gold or platinum. Inside, is UN's legendary perpetual calendar movement, the automatic calibre UN-32. This in-house COSC-certified chronometer movement has 34 jewels, a white gold rotor and 45-hour power reserve. The bezel and pushpieces are black ceramic. The El Toro features an exclusive fast-action time-zone system, permanent indication of the original time, forward and backward adjustment of all the date indicators, and the synchronized adjustment of these elements using the hour hand.

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Ulysse Nardin is honoring the 125th Anniversary of the legendary St. Moritz Tobogganing Club with the introduction of a 12 piece limited edition that is available exclusively at the Cresta Club House in St. Moritz.

The Cresta Limited Edition is an in-house timepiece that utilizes a silicium escapement. The movement features a big date in a double window with a quick set corrector in either direction, a small seconds and has a power reserve of fifty-hours. Every timepiece is COSC certified.

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Ulysse Nardin just released a 100 piece limited edition Maxi Marine watch, the Monaco YS. The stainless steel case is 42.7 mm and is coated in black DLC (Diamond Like Carbon). DLC is very hard and resistant to scratches, plus its dark finish contrasts nicely with the rose gold bezel inlays and rose gold accented black wave dial.

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Ulysse Nardin's "Temple of Heaven" Enamel Cloisonne watch was recently awarded the honor of being the first ever chosen watch of the collection at the Shenyang Imperial Palace Museum (China), and it will be permanently kept there.

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