This is the classic women’s watch, 35 mm in diameter, slim and elegant, with an interesting treatment of the moon phase complication, based on the work of Ludwig Oechslin, the horological mind behind so much of Ulysse Nardin’s work since 1983. The moon in its circular window rotates clockwise around the centre of the dial, making a complete rotation in 12 hours, so that the illuminated part of the moon is always in relation to the sun depicted on the tip of the hour hand. This twice-daily rotation is accompanied by the slower cycle of the phases of the moon, with the familiar 29.5 day period for the complete transition from new moon to full moon and back. There is also a date window at 6 o’clock.

The moon phase is corrected by means of a recessed pusher at the 4.30 position on the caseband. The watch is made in different versions, with the most elaborate set with diamonds on the bezel and on the central aventurine part of the dial; the external part of the dial is in mother-of-pearl. The case is in rose gold.

The detailing is good, with curved springbars for the strap, and a very nice crown.

The watch is powered by the in-house UN-829 movement, self-winding, with a power reserve of about 42 hours. The watch has a sapphire caseback; case waterproof to 50 metres.

References

Reference 8296-123-2/91, case in rose gold, dial in white mother-of-pearl, with 7 diamonds around the moon phase, diamonds on the crown.

Reference 8296-123BC-2/91, case in rose gold, set with 76 diamonds on the bezel and lugs, with 7 diamonds around the moon phase, diamonds on the crown.

8296-123BC-2/91-AV, case in rose gold, set with 76 diamonds on the bezel and lugs, and another 72 diamonds on the central blue aventurine part of the dial; diamond-set crown.