Ulysse Nardin watches

Ulysse Nardin was founded in 1846 in Le Locle, Switzerland, by the watchmaker Ulysse Nardin, and its headquarters remain there. The company became known for marine chronometers, which were used by navies and shipping companies.

In 1983 the businessman Rolf Schnyder bought the company and revived it with the watchmaker Ludwig Oechslin. The Trilogy of Time series, beginning with the Astrolabium Galileo Galilei in 1985, followed. In 2001 the company introduced the Freak, which used silicon escapement components.

The French group Kering acquired Ulysse Nardin in 2014. In January 2022 Kering agreed to sell its entire stake in Sowind Group SA, the holding company of Ulysse Nardin and Girard-Perregaux, to Sowind's board, including chief executive Patrick Pruniaux. Ulysse Nardin is owned by Sowind Group SA following that management buyout.