Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated September 5, 2026

Stauer 1920s Retrograde vs Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold)

Stauer's dress watch meets Ulysse Nardin's chronograph

Quick Verdict

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde ($100–$150) offers Quartz precision in the tier below the Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) ($25,000+). The 1920s Retrograde measures 43mm and is rated 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. The Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) counters with Swiss Made craftsmanship and 200m (20 ATM) water resistance. Both are exceptional watches for their respective tiers.

Stauer1920s Retrograde$100–$150 Check price Ulysse NardinMarine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold)$25,000+ Check price

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Stauer

1920s Retrograde

$100–$150

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Ulysse Nardin

Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold)

$25,000+

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Specifications Compared

Feature	Stauer 1920s Retrograde	Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold)
Price	$100–$150	$25,000+
Case Size	43mm	43mm
Movement	Quartz	Automatic, Ulysse Nardin UN-118 (in-house)
Caliber Type	Quartz	UN-118, DIAMonSIL escapement, silicon balance spring, COSC-certified
Power Reserve	Battery	About 60 hours, indicator at 12
Water Resistance	100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer	200m (20 ATM)
Crystal	Mineral crystal	Sapphire Crystal, sapphire caseback
Case Material	Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel)	18k rose gold, fluted bezel
Origin	Stauer (USA brand, imported)	Swiss Made

Category-by-Category Analysis

🎨

Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Stauer's design language vs Ulysse Nardin's approach

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde features a Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel) case at 43mm with Mineral crystal protection. The Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) offers 18k rose gold, fluted bezel construction at 43mm with Sapphire Crystal, sapphire caseback. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

⚙️

Movement & Performance

Edge: Ulysse Nardin

Quartz vs Automatic, Ulysse Nardin UN-118 (in-house)

The 1920s Retrograde runs the Quartz (Quartz, Battery power reserve) at standard frequency. The Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) uses the Automatic, Ulysse Nardin UN-118 (in-house) (UN-118, DIAMonSIL escapement, silicon balance spring, COSC-certified, About 60 hours, indicator at 12 reserve) at standard. The Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) offers a longer power reserve.

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Wearability & Fit

Edge: Draw

43mm vs 43mm — different wrist presence

At 43mm, the 1920s Retrograde is similarly sized compared to the Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) at 43mm. Water resistance differs: 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer vs 200m (20 ATM).

💰

Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Stauer

Stauer sits in the lower tier

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde sits at $100–$150 and the Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) at $25,000+. On the specs that outlast any price: the 1920s Retrograde uses Mineral crystal with Battery, against Sapphire Crystal, sapphire caseback and About 60 hours, indicator at 12 on the Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold). Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

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Water Resistance

Edge: Ulysse Nardin

100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer vs 200m (20 ATM)

The 1920s Retrograde is rated to 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer while the Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) handles 200m (20 ATM). The Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) offers superior water resistance.

Our Verdict

Stauer

1920s Retrograde

Choose the Stauer 1920s Retrograde if you prioritize Quartz engineering, Stauer (USA brand, imported) craftsmanship, and 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer water resistance. At $100–$150, it delivers Quartz with Battery power reserve.

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Ulysse Nardin

Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold)

Choose the Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) if you value UN-118, DIAMonSIL escapement, silicon balance spring, COSC-certified technology, Swiss Made heritage, and 43mm proportions. At $25,000+, the Automatic, Ulysse Nardin UN-118 (in-house) with About 60 hours, indicator at 12 power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde and Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Stauer bringing Stauer (USA brand, imported) tradition while Ulysse Nardin delivers Swiss Made engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) is the better buy if you want a mechanical movement; the Stauer 1920s Retrograde is the better buy if you want quartz accuracy with no servicing. For water, the Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) is rated 200 m against 100 m, which is the difference between swimming and diving on one side and splashes on the other. On price, the Stauer 1920s Retrograde sits a band lower ($100–$150 against $25,000+), so it is the cheaper way into the category. Neither is better at everything; the spec table above shows movement, case size, water resistance and crystal side by side so you can weigh what matters to you. We do not test units, so this is the makers' data, not a bench result.

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers better upfront value, sitting a tier lower at $100–$150. However, the Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) may justify its premium with superior finishing, heritage, or resale value.

Both are suitable for daily wear. The 1920s Retrograde at 43mm with 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer water resistance handles everyday situations. The Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) at 43mm with 200m (20 ATM) is similarly capable. The 1920s Retrograde uses Mineral crystal while the Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) uses Sapphire Crystal, sapphire caseback. Sapphire resists scratches noticeably better than mineral glass.

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How This Page Was Made

Our comparisons are generated from a hand-maintained specification database and reviewed under our editorial standards. We use AI tools to assemble pages from that data. We don’t invent specs: every number traces back to the database, and when we correct an entry, the fix is applied site-wide. As an Amazon Associate, The Horologist earns from qualifying purchases.