At close to $50,000, the Ulysse Nardin El Toro Perpetual Calendar is another watch, which for most, will always remain hopelessly out of reach. In other words, much as you may desire it, You Probably Can’t Afford It.
Described by Ulysse Nardin as “a powerful timepiece for everyday use”, this is the platinum version of this legendary watch, of which only 500 were made. This dazzling 43mm timepiece is a high tech perpetual calendar adjustable with a single crown. It provides dual times for multiple time zones and showcases three separate displays for the date, month and day of the week including the actual date with consummate style and grace.
You get a lot of cleverness for your money as it’s the only perpetual calendar that adjusts forward and backward in seconds over the quick corrector position of a single crown, even in the year 2100. The hour hand is adjusted instantly to a new local time with pushers (+) or (-) located at 4 o’clock and 8 o’ clock, without taking the watch off the wrist or interfering with its time keeping while the arrow keeps track of your time both at home and abroad.
The oversized date, the day, the month and the year change instantly forward or backward when the hour hand is moved to a new local time across the dateline with pushers (+) or (-).
The in-house UN-32 COSC certified movement has a 45 hour power reserve, viewable through the sapphire lens on the caseback.
A brilliantly technical accomplishment, and yet at close to $50k, the El Toro is undeniably a little clunky in the design department. The big date window at 1 o’clock looks as if the designers simply couldn’t decide where to put it, and the dashboard is cluttered and a little clumsy looking. For the same money a Girard Perregaux 1966 Perpetual Calendar might be a more elegant option.
