Blancpain or Ulysse Nardin

GoBroncos58 · Aug 28, 2020

Hello all,

I am planning on buying a new watch and i wondered which of these 2 brand you guys prefer and why?
I guess they both offer good value for your money, but maybe there are members here with some more information why one could be a better purchase then the other?
Thanks in advance!

Evitzee · Aug 28, 2020

They are good value only if you pay nowhere near list price. Buy pre-owned and you can do ok. For me BP is a bit more solid.

Marsimaxam · Aug 28, 2020

Evitzee
They are good value only if you pay nowhere near list price. Buy pre-owned and you can do ok. For me BP is a bit more solid.

I completely agree with your entire statement. I've bought both watch brands, but completely different styles. The Ulysse Nardin Maxi Diver and the Blancpain perpetual chronograph. I bought both at extreme discounts, greater then 50%. I sold the Blancpain, but still have the Maxi Diver, that being said, as a watch manufacturer I believe Blancpain to be slightly superior. You didn't mention which model you are considering in each brand which could be a deciding factor too.

10580a2010095-blancpain-leman-perpetual-calendar-reference-blancpain-5585.jpg

One of my all time favorite vintage Blancpain watch is the fifty fathoms which they make a current model today, but I prefer the vintage look...

GoBroncos58 · Aug 28, 2020

Marsimaxam
I completely agree with your entire statement. I've bought both watch brands, but completely different styles. The Ulysse Nardin Maxi Diver and the Blancpain perpetual chronograph. I bought both at extreme discounts, greater then 50%. I sold the Blancpain, but still have the Maxi Diver, that being said, as a watch manufacturer I believe Blancpain to be slightly superior. You didn't mention which model you are considering in each brand which could be a deciding factor too.

One of my all time favorite vintage Blancpain watch is the fifty fathoms which they make a current model today, but I prefer the vintage look...

Thanks for the replies!
For the Blancpain im interested in a pre-owned Villeret moon phase from 1996, for the Ulysse Nardin im interested in a pre-owned Michelangelo. Both are completely different watches but i like both of them! Also the BP fifty fathoms is a stunning watch, but not quite what im looking for at this moment!

OmegaRody · Aug 28, 2020

Blancplain is a little more costly and formal designed than UN. The Maxi Diver in black rubber strap is interesting and you can find it between $3,500-$4000 in mint condition.

Marsimaxam · Aug 28, 2020

OmegaRody
Blancplain is a little more costly and formal designed than UN. The Maxi Diver in black rubber strap is interesting and you can find it between $3,500-$4000 in mint condition.

Then again there is the UN Freak...ranging from the high 20s to the low 90s. A perfect example of how Blancpain is more formal in design. Freak Out!
Freak Vision 45 mm $95,000.00

3nicewatches · Aug 28, 2020

Don’t worry about value for money, that is BS. If you plan to sell it, don’t buy it. Buy what you like most. I have two Omegas and one Blancpain. The quality and finish of the Blancpain are astounding. I am never selling it. But full disclosure, I am never selling either of the Omegas either.

pongster · Aug 28, 2020

Best to compare actual watches. And not brands.

Marsimaxam · Aug 29, 2020

P pongster
Best to compare actual watches. And not brands.

Go Broncos writes that he is considering; "for the Blancpain I'm interested in a pre-owned Villeret moon phase from 1996, for the Ulysse Nardin I'm interested in a pre-owned Michelangelo."
I believe there are a couple of versions of the Michelangelo ( Big Date, Chronograph, Perpetual,Dual Time and Giant Size), but, I just didn't know what to say as they are very different watches in more ways then one. The Michelangelo comes in a tonneau shape whereas the Blancpain is a traditional round case. So without knowing the exact model. Here's a comparison. I like the Blancpain, but it's Go Broncos decision. ( Go Bears... Cal)

GoBroncos58 · Aug 29, 2020

Marsimaxam
Go Broncos writes that he is considering; "for the Blancpain I'm interested in a pre-owned Villeret moon phase from 1996, for the Ulysse Nardin I'm interested in a pre-owned Michelangelo."
I believe there are a couple of versions of the Michelangelo ( Big Date, Chronograph, Perpetual,Dual Time and Giant Size), but, I just didn't know what to say as they are very different watches in more ways then one. The Michelangelo comes in a tonneau shape whereas the Blancpain is a traditional round case. So without knowing the exact model. Here's a comparison. I like the Blancpain, but it's Go Broncos decision. ( Go Bears... Cal)

They are indeed very different! In general i like more traditional watches (round case, 34mm-40mm, swiss made,...) but i also have a soft spot for tonneau shaped watches like this UN or a classic Franck Muller watch! In this case i think i will go with the BP as it is (at least for me) a bit more elegant and a perfect addition to my watch collection!

miramogge · Aug 29, 2020

Marsimaxam
I completely agree with your entire statement. I've bought both watch brands, but completely different styles. The Ulysse Nardin Maxi Diver and the Blancpain perpetual chronograph. I bought both at extreme discounts, greater then 50%. I sold the Blancpain, but still have the Maxi Diver, that being said, as a watch manufacturer I believe Blancpain to be slightly superior. You didn't mention which model you are considering in each brand which could be a deciding factor too.

One of my all time favorite vintage Blancpain watch is the fifty fathoms which they make a current model today, but I prefer the vintage look...

Yea the fifty fathoms is one of my favorites.

Robbie77 · Aug 29, 2020

I prefer the styling of BPs over the UNs generally. I was very impressed with the new version BP perpetual which can be set by pushers under the lugs with your fingernails and has a center sweep seconds hand.