Founded in 1846, Ulysse Nardin are one of watchmaking’s most famed brands in the world of seafaring due to their highly accurate marine chronometers and complicated timepieces. In service across more than fifty of the world's navies from the end of the 19th century till 1950, Ulysse Nardin’s modern brand is built upon this maritime heritage, with a host of their offerings linked to the sea. However, they also have a slew of offerings that break from that seafaring tradition, much like the Ludwig Perpetual Calendar ref. 339-20 that we have here which was launched as a limited edition series of 150 pieces in 1996 to celebrate Ulysse Nardin’s 150th anniversary. Made of platinum, this entirely-polished 38.5mm timepiece boasts a perpetual calendar that is rather uniquely displayed through its patterned silver dial, with its unusual layout shining through the watch’s quartet of apertures. At 1 o’clock there is the enlarged date aperture, at 6 o’clock there is the year aperture, at 3 o’clock there is the month aperture and at 9 o’clock within the running seconds subdial is the day aperture. A wonderful reminder that while a brand might be known for one thing, like marine chronometers in UN’s case, they can also surprise you with something from an entirely other world, just like this timepiece.

An unusually designed model to celebrate an anniversary that very few businesses get to celebrate, the Ludwig Perpetual Calendar pays homage to Ulysse Nardin's heritage in the way they know best, with its unique take on one of horology's most coveted complications.