ULYSSE NARDIN Innovision 2

The launch of Ulysse Nardin’s “Inno-Vision 2” marks an important milestone for the watch manufacturer, with its ten unrivaled, sensational innovations, namely dual constant escapement, direct silicium bonding , silicium balance wheel with gold mass elements and stabilizing micro paddles, “Grinder”, sapphire-coated silicium bridge, 24-ct hard gold wheels, glass bridge with integrated shock protection for the balance wheel, Super-LumiNova filled channels integrated into the glass balance wheel bridge, eye-catching 1 – 11 and 13 – 23 time display and three-dimensional glass minute hands.
For several hundred years, brass, steel and artificial rubies had played a crucial role in the manufacture of mechanical movements. But now Ulysse Nardin has demonstrated that the time was right for a whole new range of materials and production technologies to be used in watchmaking.

Selective photo-lithography technology had a large role to play in the manufacturer’s innovations. This features “DRIE” (Deep Re-active Ion Etching) and LIGA (the German acronym for Lithography, Electroplating and Molding). This was the first time that these had been combined in one technique, with each technology offering unforeseen possibilities for the design of movement components. This signaled the start of a long road towards new horizons in timekeeping for Ulysse Nardin.