ROLEX SUBMARINER "SMURF" vs UN MAXI MARINE DIVER: Rolex 116619LB Ulysse Nardin 260-32-8M

Contact tmosso@thewatchbox.com for pricing and availability; Either I have it, or I can get it! Rolex Submariner “Smurf” versus Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine Diver 260-32-8M! The Rolex Submariner (here Rolex white gold 116619LB) is the standard by which all dive watches are measured. Against the might of Geneva’s Rolex, Ulysse Nardin of Le Locle offers an insurgent challenge in the form of a full white gold UN Maxi Marine Diver. Similar in size, weight, purpose, and even color, these luxury dive watches represent apex-models from the core model lines of their respective luxury watch brands.

The Rolex Submariner requires no introduction. Despite pioneering the layout and conventions of the modern dive watch in 1953, the evergreen Submariner never fails to elicit instant recognition as arguably the hottest luxury watch at any moment, regardless of country or era. While Rolex’s signature model is known for its continuity of design, the 2008 Submariner marked something truly new.

The Submariner 116619LB bowed at Baselworld as the first series-production Submariner in white gold. More than that, the Rolex “Smurf” represented the first ceramic-bezel Submariner and the first Rolex Sub to use the larger “super” case profile that launched on the 2005 anniversary Rolex GMT-Master 2. Rolex fits an all-solid-link white gold Oyster Bracelet with a 20mm sliding dive extension.

Inside its 40mm white gold case, a Rolex manufacture caliber 3135 keeps the beat. This automatic movement boasts a 48-hour power reserve, and it is a COSC-certified Swiss chronometer. The Rolex Oyster case ensures 300-meter water resistance. Above the movement sits a blue lacquer dial set with white gold indices and laced with Rolex’s Chromalight luminescent paint. The unidirectional dive bezel features Rolex Cerachrom ceramic in gloss blue to match the dial.

Ulysse Nardin arrived late to the dive watch game. In 2003, the boutique watch brand cast its lot into the dive watch marketplace in the form of the 42.7mm Maxi Marine Diver. While most watch brands chose to copy Rolex, Ulysse Nardin took up the challenge of translating its own style – that of vintage marine chronometer deck clocks – into a dive watch format. Today’s Maxi Marine Diver is part of a 2006 limited edition of 500 pieces. While 499 of those pieces were delivered with a hybrid rubber-titanium strap, this Maxi Marine Diver was upgraded with a special order: Ulysse Nardin’s factory white gold bracelet. The result was a staggering retail price of $50,600 – in 2006!

Ulysse Nardin fits the Maxi Marine Diver with a unidirectional dive bezel and dial featuring stamped patterns laced with translucent blue lacquer. The dial is defined by skeleton hands, applied indices, a small-seconds sub-dial with date, and a power reserve indicator. Below this rich chronometer-inspired imagery sits a COSC-certified chronometer caliber UN-26. This hybrid of a COSC-spec ETA 2892-A2 and Ulysse Nardin complication module winds automatically and achieves a 42-hour power reserve at full wind. UN fits a custom 22-karat white gold winding mass beneath a display case back that sets UN’s 200-meter dive watch apart from Rolex’s solid-backed rival.
Rolex Submariner 1166190LB versus Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine Diver starts now!


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