Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated

Ulysse Nardin Executive Skeleton Tourbillon 45mm (titanium) vs Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold)

Ulysse Nardin's timepiece meets Ulysse Nardin's chronograph

Quick Verdict

The Ulysse Nardin Executive Skeleton Tourbillon 45mm (titanium) ($25,000+) and Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) ($25,000+) are closely matched timepieces at similar price points. The Executive Skeleton Tourbillon 45mm (titanium) emphasizes UN-171, hand-wound, silicon escapement engineering while the Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) focuses on Swiss Made craftsmanship.

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Ulysse Nardin Executive Skeleton Tourbillon 45mm (titanium)

Ulysse Nardin

Executive Skeleton Tourbillon 45mm (titanium)

$25,000+

Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold)

Ulysse Nardin

Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold)

$25,000+

Specifications Compared

FeatureUlysse Nardin Executive Skeleton Tourbillon 45mm (titanium)Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold)
Price$25,000+$25,000+
Case Size45mm43mm
MovementHand-wound, Ulysse Nardin UN-171 flying tourbillonAutomatic, Ulysse Nardin UN-118 (in-house)
Caliber TypeUN-171, hand-wound, silicon escapementUN-118, DIAMonSIL escapement, silicon balance spring, COSC-certified
Power ReserveAbout 170 hours (seven days)About 60 hours, indicator at 12
Water Resistance30m (3 ATM)200m (20 ATM)
CrystalSapphire Crystal, sapphire casebackSapphire Crystal, sapphire caseback
Case MaterialTitanium, black ceramic bezel18k rose gold, fluted bezel
OriginSwiss MadeSwiss Made

Category-by-Category Analysis

🎨

Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Ulysse Nardin's design language vs Ulysse Nardin's approach

The Ulysse Nardin Executive Skeleton Tourbillon 45mm (titanium) features a Titanium, black ceramic bezel case at 45mm with Sapphire Crystal, sapphire caseback 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

Hand-wound, Ulysse Nardin UN-171 flying tourbillon vs Automatic, Ulysse Nardin UN-118 (in-house)

The Executive Skeleton Tourbillon 45mm (titanium) runs the Hand-wound, Ulysse Nardin UN-171 flying tourbillon (UN-171, hand-wound, silicon escapement, About 170 hours (seven days) 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 Executive Skeleton Tourbillon 45mm (titanium) edges ahead on power reserve.

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Wearability & Fit

Edge: Ulysse Nardin

45mm vs 43mm — different wrist presence

At 45mm, the Executive Skeleton Tourbillon 45mm (titanium) has a bolder wrist presence compared to the Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) at 43mm. Water resistance differs: 30m (3 ATM) vs 200m (20 ATM).

💰

Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Draw

Same tier — different value propositions

The Ulysse Nardin Executive Skeleton Tourbillon 45mm (titanium) sits at $25,000+ and the Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) at $25,000+. On the specs that outlast any price: the Executive Skeleton Tourbillon 45mm (titanium) uses Sapphire Crystal, sapphire caseback with About 170 hours (seven days), 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.

💧

Water Resistance

Edge: Ulysse Nardin

30m (3 ATM) vs 200m (20 ATM)

The Executive Skeleton Tourbillon 45mm (titanium) is rated to 30m (3 ATM) 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

Ulysse Nardin

Executive Skeleton Tourbillon 45mm (titanium)

Choose the Ulysse Nardin Executive Skeleton Tourbillon 45mm (titanium) if you prioritize UN-171, hand-wound, silicon escapement engineering, Swiss Made craftsmanship, and 30m (3 ATM) water resistance. At $25,000+, it delivers Hand-wound, Ulysse Nardin UN-171 flying tourbillon with About 170 hours (seven days) 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 Ulysse Nardin Executive Skeleton Tourbillon 45mm (titanium) and Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Ulysse Nardin bringing Swiss Made tradition while Ulysse Nardin delivers Swiss Made engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

For water, the Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) is rated 200 m against 30 m, which is the difference between swimming and diving on one side and splashes on the other. 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.
Both are priced similarly, making this a question of preference rather than value. The Executive Skeleton Tourbillon 45mm (titanium) emphasizes UN-171, hand-wound, silicon escapement technology while the Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) prioritizes UN-118, DIAMonSIL escapement, silicon balance spring, COSC-certified precision.
Both are suitable for daily wear. The Executive Skeleton Tourbillon 45mm (titanium) at 45mm with 30m (3 ATM) water resistance handles everyday situations. The Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) at 43mm with 200m (20 ATM) is similarly capable. Both use Sapphire Crystal, sapphire caseback, which resists scratches well.

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.