Ulysse Nardin Caliber UN118

The Ulysse Nardin caliber UN118 is a Swiss made automatic watch movement with 50 jewels. This movement is found in some UN Marine Chronometer models and features a power reserve indicator, as well as a small seconds and date.

The calibre UN-118 was introduced at Baselworld 2012.

UN-118 / UN118:

You may see this caliber written as UN118 or UN-118. It seems that even Ulysse Nardin can’t make up their minds. In the photo above (taken by Caliber Corner at the UN Baselworld booth), the movement itself is stamped UN118, but the acrylic holder was marked UN-118.

In Ulysse Nardin’s own words:

“With the introduction of its new Caliber 118, Ulysse Nardin proves again its leadership in the innovative use of avant-garde materials in the watch industry.

Caliber 118 follows in the footsteps of Ulysse Nardin’s Caliber 66/67 Sonata, the first timepiece conceived and manufactured in house and Anniversary Caliber 160, but takes innovation in movement technology a further giant step forward.

The escapement of Caliber 118 is produced in collaboration between Ulysse Nardin and Sigatec in Sion, Switzerland.

DIAMonSIL is a revolutionary alliance of silicium and man-made diamond. It is an extremely light but hard material that eliminates friction and removes the need for lubrication of the escapement – the watchmaker’s holy grail.

Sigatec is the only company in the world capable of producing high-precision components both in Silicium and DIAMonSIL; a nanotechnology which has taken many years to develop. Caliber 118 will be the first member of a family of movements with an in-house-produced and patented DIAMonSIL escapement together with the in-house-produced oscillator adjustable with four screws and fitted with a silicium 1.1.1 hairspring. This oscillator, patented in 2007, was first put on the market in the Sonata Silicium in March 2008.

“Our policy to develop movement technology in-house enables Ulysse Nardin to master its own quality,” says the president and CEO of Ulysse Nardin, Rolf W. Schnyder. “Ulysse Nardin is committed to innovations that move the industry forward and in the creation of mechanical timepieces which will become the heirlooms for future generations.”

The Caliber 118 also features a 60-hour power reserve and its own date-corrector, allowing forward and backward settings in seconds.” -Source: https://www.ulysse-nardin.com/row_en/en/swiss_watch_manufacturer/News___Events/Novelties/Ulysse_Nardin_unveils_the_new_caliber_UN-118.html

Also this…

“Classic or unconventional, simple or complex, for men or women, this collection of calibers is one of the most extensive and diverse in the industry. It is based on a culture of innovation, independence and quality that has made Ulysse Nardin one of the most advanced brands in creative watchmaking.”-Source

Additional Images:

Below is a stock image of the UN-118 with the rotor removed:

Additional Resources:

• Official UN-118 user manual (pdf)
• More Ulysse Nardin watch movements
• Ulysse Nardin official Silicium page
• Sigatec’s official site