Ulysse Nardin Sonata Silicium Limited Edition

Horology moves leaps and bounds forward as new materials continue to help the industry evolve. With one of its newest creations, the Sonata Silicium, Ulysse Nardin makes use of silicium in both the appearance and movement of the watch. This limited edition watch is produced to 500 pieces in each 18 carat white and rose gold. Silicium, as it is not magnetic, is the ideal material for use in watch making. It is an extremely hard material at 1100 Vickers, which is 400 Vickers harder than steel. In addition it has a high resistance to corrosion. It is less reactive than its chemical analog carbon and does not occur free in nature.

The Sonata Silicium's dial is cut out of a silicium wafer and the color untreated. There are three subdials, two white and one grey and the hands on the watch are blue and bright yellow. The case is 42mm and made from 18k white or rose gold and has a sapphire crystal case-back. The Automatic Ulysse Nardin Caliber UN-67 movement runs with a 28’800 A/h oscillator and an anchor escapement etched out of silicium. Both the anchor and escapement wheel are manufactured of silicium. The technical movement is similar to the the Sonata Cathedral Dual Time and includes the novel alarm setting with a countdown indicator.