Ulysse Nardin: An Inside Look At Two Decades Of Silicium Revolutions

The objective is clear: to search for precision through microtechnology. This pursuit is a far cry from the traditional haute watchmaking workshops. First, geographically as we were in the heart of Valais, in Sion, close to the vineyards on the famous slopes of the region. And second, technologically as we were shown into Sigatec's cleanroom to discover this technology of the future. A technology that is already available today.

First, a little history is needed. Founded in 1998, Mimotec is one of the forerunners of UV-LIGA technology. Using silicon wafers, they've created cavities of SU-8 resin, allowing for metal growth in the production of components. These molds were then destroyed after each operation. However, as the technology developed, so did the possibilities and the underlying knowledge.
 

The strength of Sigatec lies their mastery of Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE) on monocrystalline silicon. Involving hybrid photography and 3D-engraving technology, DRIE is a non-contact process using only light, gas, heat, chemistry, and physics. Thus, the need for a cleanroom to prevent the slightest speck of dust from gumming-up the works.
 

How does it work? In a clean room, under orange light and technicians in head-to-toe clean suits, silicium wafers are coated with photosensitive resin. They are then put in a machine where a UV light transfers the photomask – a sort of stencil with the shape of the desired component – onto the wafers. After a chemical bath removes the resin, the elements materialize, flexible but resistant, in delicate and complex geometries.
 

The result is stunning. The ultimate step is an ultra-secretive manipulation that forms a layer of silicon dioxide on the component's surface to harden and stabilize the parts. Providing a finish worthy of Haute Horlogerie. It is Sigatec's mastery made manifest and a competitive advantage for Ulysse Nardin.
 

This year, Ulysse Nardin unveiled the fruit of this venture with the Freak NeXt. The latest evolution in the family is an ultra-modern timepiece proudly sporting a flying carousel* and a revolutionary oscillating balance wheel with flexible silicon blades. Significantly, the oscillator doesn't have a pivot and floats without a balance bridge. So now the only friction is from the air. As a result, the power reserve is improved to 70 hours with a frequency of 12 Hz.

*Similar to a tourbillon, a carousel continuously rotates the balance wheel and escapement to counteract gravitational pull. However, unlike a tourbillon, a carousel both requires another gear to turn its mechanism and it's typically mounted on the fourth wheel.