Watch Paparazzi

Actor Will Smith spotted wearing Ulysse Nardin

Will Smith was recently spotted on the wrist with a Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer reference 1183-310-3/43, a composed, nautically rooted sports-dress watch that sits at the more accessible end of the Le Locle manufacture's catalogue without sacrificing depth of character.

The Marine Chronometer 40mm — as this reference is formally positioned — houses Ulysse Nardin's calibre UN-118, a self-winding movement with a silicon escapement and a 60-hour power reserve. The silicon components, including the anchor and escape wheel, eliminate the need for lubrication in the escapement and improve long-term rate stability — technology that Ulysse Nardin pioneered in 2001 with its Freak and subsequently filtered down across its collections. The 40mm stainless steel case on ref. 1183-310-3/43 wears a sunburst blue dial with a date aperture at six o'clock, paired with a coordinating blue leather strap that gives the piece a clean, coherent aesthetic. Water resistance is rated to 100 metres, consistent with the Marine line's seafaring identity.

The Marine collection is one of Ulysse Nardin's most historically grounded lines. The brand supplied precision marine chronometers to over fifty navies during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, winning more than 4,000 observatory timing certificates — a record that established its reputation as a benchmark in precision timekeeping. The modern Marine Chronometer series is a conscious nod to that legacy, translating the discipline of navigation instruments into a wearable format. Among collectors, the range is respected as a genuine entry point into UN ownership: serious movement technology, a storied name, and a design language that avoids fashion-driven excess.

Will Smith has long demonstrated an eclectic taste in watches, moving comfortably between ultra-high-end complications and lower-profile, quality-first choices. The Marine Chronometer sits firmly in the latter camp — a technically credible, understated choice that reflects considered purchasing rather than status signalling.

At a UK list price of approximately £5,900 — translating to roughly $7,400 USD at current rates — the Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer ref. 1183-310-3/43 represents solid value for an in-house silicon-escapement movement from a manufacture with genuine horological history. Grey-market pricing has remained close to retail, reflecting stable but not overheated demand.