The material revolution continues. With the Sonata Silicium Limited Edition, Ulysse Nardin demonstrates the versatile use of silicium in watch making, including the production of micro precision components for our watch movements and for aesthetic use in the manufacture of watch dials.

The dial of the SONATA SILICIUM is cut out of a silicium wafer in its striking natural color; so too is the logo inlay on the winding rotor visible through the exhibition sapphire back of the case.

The movement runs with a 28'800 A/h oscillator and an anchor escapement etched out of silicium. This escapement is the result of a research program which ASRH (Association Suisse pour la Recherche Horlogère - Swiss Association for Horological Research) conducted and in which Ulysse Nardin participated. Both the anchor and escapement wheel are manufactured of silicium.

In addition, 3 of the innovations first presented in August 2007 and tested within Ulysse Nardin's InnoVision program have found their way into a serial product and are applied for the first time in a commercialized timekeeper.

The front side/back side etched anchor with its integrated safety pin
The front side/back side etched roller with its integrated impulse finger
The silicium (1.1.1) cut hairspring (patent pending)

Sigatec, a joint venture company created by Mimotec and Ulysse Nardin, produces all of the silicium components of this unique timepiece.

The Sonata Silicium is based on the technical movement features of the Sonata Cathedral Dual Time including the novel alarm setting with a countdown indicator and the dual time system with the instant time zone adjustor featured in many Ulysse Nardin watches.

This patented dual time function permits time zone adjustments forward and backward by simply pressing the pushers plus (+) or minus (-) to change the position of the hour hand. The original home time (reference time) stays displayed while the date, the alarm and countdown adjust automatically when a time zone adjustment is made.

The melodic chiming of the Alarm is based on a novel 24-hours mechanism which allows setting the Alarm 24 hours ahead, i.e. for 7.35 pm the same day or 7.35 am the next day.

The Limited Edition Sonata Silicium - Limited to 500 pieces each in white and rose gold.

Technical data
Movement: Caliber UN-67; Power-Reserve: approx. 42 h; Winding: Self-winding
Functions:
Alarm with cathedral gong. Countdown indicator. Dual Time system with instant timezone adjustor. Big date in a double window. Anchor escapement and hairspring etched out of silicium;
Case: available in 18 ct rose or white gold; Dial: cut out of a silicium wafer, silicium natural colour; Dimensions: 42mm; Water-resistance: 30m;
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal; Case-back: Anti reflective sapphire crystal fixed with screws;
Crown: water-resistant; Band: Alligator leather strap, with folding buckle;
Limited Edition: 500 pieces in 18ct rose gold and white gold.