Ulysse Nardin - 'Michelangelo Big Date' - Automatic - Never Worn - Ref. No: 233-68 - Men - 2000-2010

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Ulysse Nardin: luxury Swiss watch manufacturer founded in 1846 in Le Locle, Switzerland. According to last official reports had won numerous awards and honors for its marine chronometers from 1846 to 1975, including 4324 certificates, 2411 special prizes, 10 gold medals.
Ulysse Nardin company became known for manufacturing highly accurate marine chronometers and complicated precision exclusive timepieces, used by over 50 of the world's navies from the end of the 19th century till 1950. According to the last official report of Neuchâtel Observatory in Switzerland, Ulysse Nardin had won numerous awards and honors for its marine chronometers from 1846 to 1975, including 4324 certificates, 2411 special prizes and 18 gold medals at International exhibitions.
The company was taken over and re-invigorated in 1983 by Rolf W. Schnyder who transformed it into a profitable business. Ulysse Nardin has operated out of the same building headquartered in Le Locle, Switzerland since 1865.
The company today designs and manufactures luxury watches, dual-time watches, and marine chronometers, and sells its products through a network of distributors and several boutiques around the world.
The Ulyss Nardin company has an integrated production system. The majority of the work is done in-house, from conception, design, development and crafting through to production. The brand produces its own high-precision components, movements and calibers. Ulysse Nardin creates its own enamel dials. Pieces are heated to a high temperature (1500 °F or 850 °C) repeatedly, several times, as layers of color are added. This requires hours of work.
Engineers, drafting technicians, technical and caliber designers develop new technologies, and design movements. They produce prototypes and tools for the workshops. Profile turners or specialist setters supervise the production of pieces required for the balance axis, screws, pins and the other minute parts. Decorators engrave plates and bridges with distinctive patterns. Experienced watchmakers then assemble the finished components, working on the movements of in-house calibers. Another team of watchmakers, specialized in highly complicated timepieces, works on the movement assemblies and casings of complex mechanisms (minute repeater, hourstriker, tourbillon...) and astronomical timepieces. In 2020, the company developed a model made of plastic ocean waste.
Quality control experts perform checks on everything: aesthetics, watch functions, waterproofing, etc. Some watches have a chronometer movement certified for accuracy by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres, the official Swiss testing agency. Ulysse Nardin has also its own quality certification, the Ulysse Nardin Certificate, with standards for quality higher than the COSC.
The Ulysse Nardin Ref. 233-68 is the Michelangelo Big Date, one of the most recognizable models from the Michelangelo collection, produced in the early to mid-2000s. It combines a curved tonneau case with Ulysse Nardin's distinctive oversized date display.
The case is ergonomically curved to follow the wrist, making it wear larger than its dimensions suggest.
The watch is powered by the Ulysse Nardin Calibre UN-27, based on a proven ETA architecture and modified by Ulysse Nardin, advantages include:
- robust and reliable construction,
- straightforward servicing,
- excellent accuracy when properly regulated,
- quick-set oversized date;
Unlike later manufacture calibres, the UN-27 is appreciated for its durability and relatively low maintenance costs.
The Michelangelo collection stands out because of its:
- curved tonneau-shaped case,
- oversized double-aperture Big Date,
- bold Roman numerals,
- excellent wrist comfort;
The Michelangelo line has a loyal following because it represents a period when Ulysse Nardin produced elegant sports watches outside its famous Marine collection. Although it remains somewhat underappreciated compared with the Marine Chronometer, it offers:
- distinctive styling,
- excellent build quality,
- dependable mechanics,
- comparatively attractive prices;
For collectors looking for a high-quality Swiss watch with a unique tonneau design from an independent manufacture, the 233-68 remains an appealing value.

Movement:
- self-winding calibre UN-27
- base: ETA 2892-A2
- 38 jewels
- 42 hours power-reserve
- frequency: 28.800vph, 4 Hz
Case:
- beautiful tonneau shape
- 316L stainless steel, polished
- 35mm excl. crown, 38mm incl.
- 47mm from lug to lug
- 12mm thick
- unique No: 2**0 (for buyer only), best proof for authenticity
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Bezel:
- 316L stainless steel
- polished
- fixed
Crown:
- screw-down
- pull/push
- chic Ulysse-Nardin blue/gold logo
Case-back:
- 316L stainless steel
- fine brushed with engravings
Dial:
- black chatoyant
- polished to a mirror finish hour indexes
- blued luminescent hands and hour markers
- luminous Arabic numerals
- big date at 02:00 o'clock position
- minute markers along the inner perimeter
Strap:
- brand-new black leather, RIO'S alligator grain on cow
- length: ca. 21cm incl. wristwatch itself
- width: 19mm by lugs, 16mm by clasp
Pin buckle:
- 316L stainless steel
- polished with chic logo
Weight: 84 grams
Water-resistance: 10ATM/100meter/330feet
Distinctive design.
Extremely high recognition value.
Ulysse Nardin blue watch box.
Excellent condition, never worn: the wristwatch comes from luxury watch-shop showcase; that's why the strap is replaced with brand new one, alligator grain on cow (leather straps often suffer from temperature in shop windows due to powerful spotlights).
General professional pre-sale check was made in July 2026: the watch is keeping good time and working perfectly.
My personal authenticity and quality warranty: you will get warranty card (as pictured), fully completed, stamped and signed. My impeccable seller reputation speaks for itself: look at my feedbacks and sales ratings.
Insured, registered shipping worldwide with Intl. Express service: it’s not cheap, and yet fast and reliable, two days in Europe, three days for the rest of this world.

What you see is what you get. These are my own photos of the actual watch up for auction.

NO EXTRA COSTS for EU Buyers!

My verdict as a collector and connoisseur with over 30 years of experience: stylish, beautiful and amazing piece!