In a superlative-heavy industry, the Ulysse Nardin Split-Seconds Chronograph or “Chronographe Rattrapante” is truly deserving.  In the early 1990’s, UN, along with a few other manufacturers including Girard-Perregaux, Daniel Roth, and Panerai, located a lot of vintage, circa 1940’s Venus 179 movements in the Vallee de Joux and created limited runs of some truly halo-level watches.  The Venus 179 is stuff of legend in an already rarified space, and was the caliber of choice for the revered Breitling Duograph.  It is said that just 30 pieces were made by Ulysse Nardin numbered on the dials to correspond to the case metals: No. 1 – 10 in white gold, 11 – 20 in yellow gold, and 21 – 30 in pink gold.  There are some conflicting posts on that exact correlation and where a run of platinum examples potentially fits in in the mix, but the pink gold example at present checks out. 

Case:  The 39.7 x 45.5 x 14 mm pink gold case appears to be unpolished and is free from any imperfections of note, exhibiting only minor surface swirls to the polished case.  The concave sloped bezel provides a distinct step to the rounded mid case that elegantly frames the rectangular pushers and delightfully tactile onion crown.  The stepped case is complemented by the downturned lugs that remind me of the stepped lugs found on the likes of the Patek 2499, 3970, 3974, etc., in the best way possible.  Both the serial reference number and the hallmarks between the lugs are sharp and deep.  The star of the show is the exhibition caseback which provides an expansive look at the deeply layered and endlessly fascinating vintage movement.  It’s truly special to see how the split seconds function works in real time.

Dial:  The dial is a wonderfully warm gloss crème caramel type color that provides immense warmth and richness.  The tachymetre scale is nearly tucked in the steeply sloped rehaut and I have a real soft spot for small, thin applied Roman numerals, when done right, they’re just so classy.  The contrasting silver, concentrically circled sub registers are framed by matching gold surrounds, and the chronograph minute counter exhibits a slight discoloration below the counter hand and an ever-smaller portion above.  The lower mark is visible with the naked eye, however I didn’t notice it until after I examined the watch under a loupe and started reviewing macro photos, it’s that faint.  Completing the dial are the wonderfully rich, deeply saturated, shapely heat-blued hands.  I cannot stress how wonderfully elegant, rich, warm and inviting this dial is to view.

Movement:  The Venus 179 split-seconds chronograph movement is winding, setting, and functioning smoothly and properly.  The tactile feel of winding and actuating the chronograph is very precise, crisp, and satisfying, with the lower reset being one of the smoothest and effortless vintage column wheel resets I’ve used.  Service history is unknown and the watch is running strong and keeping time within approximately 1 min/day averaged across 6 positions.

Includes:  The watch is presented on a textured brown leather from B&R bands and includes the elegant signed matching pink gold buckle.