NUBEO ULYSSES Nova Ignite Review: A Bold Space-Inspired Skeleton Watch

Hands-On With The Nova Ignite Limited Edition

Inspired by one of the most important solar exploration missions in history, the NUBEO ULYSSES Nova Ignite, combines a bold contemporary design with a mechanical movement and an exclusive limited-edition production of just 100 pieces worldwide for this colourway.

NUBEO kindly provided the watch featured in this review. As always, every opinion shared in this article is based on my own hands-on experience after wearing and testing the watch.

After spending several days with the watch on my 16.5 cm wrist and filming a complete unboxing and hands-on overview, it quickly became clear that the Nova Ignite is designed to make a statement. While its 48 mm case initially sounds intimidating on paper, the relatively slim 12 mm profile and lightweight silicone strap make it far more wearable than I expected.

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Unboxing Video

A Tribute To One Of Humanity’s Greatest Solar Missions

The ULYSSES collection takes its inspiration from the historic Ulysses spacecraft, launched to study the Sun from a completely different perspective. The spacecraft travelled above and below the Sun’s poles, collecting data that fundamentally changed scientists’ understanding of solar activity.

Rather than simply borrowing visual elements from space exploration, NUBEO has built an entire concept around discovery. The skeletonized architecture reflects the idea of revealing what is normally hidden, while the engraved exhibition caseback pays tribute to the historic mission that inspired the watch.

Whether you’re passionate about astronomy or simply appreciate watches with a story behind them, the ULYSSES collection offers something different from the usual space-themed timepieces.

Design: The Nova Ignite Stands Out

Among the six available colourways, the Nova Ignite immediately caught my attention. The vivid orange silicone strap contrasts beautifully with the blue skeletonized dial, creating a vibrant combination that feels energetic..

The open-worked dial is undoubtedly the star of the watch. Every glance reveals the movement underneath, adding constant visual interest as the gears and balance wheel continue their mechanical dance throughout the day.

The skeleton dial, applied luminous indexes and layered construction give it a premium appearance that easily stands out from many watches in this price range.

Case And Wrist Presence

One specification that will immediately stand out is the 48 mm stainless steel case. On paper, it sounds enormous, especially for someone like me with a 16.5 cm wrist. Fortunately, the real-world experience tells a different story.

Thanks to its relatively slim 12 mm thickness and balanced 52 mm lug-to-lug measurement, the watch wears much better than I anticipated. The large diameter certainly gives it undeniable wrist presence, but it never feels excessively tall or awkward.

The lightweight silicone strap also helps reduce the perceived size, making the overall experience surprisingly pleasant even on smaller wrists.

If I could improve one aspect, it would be the strap adjustment. Personally, I would have appreciated one additional adjustment hole to achieve an even more precise fit on my wrist. That said, it remains comfortable and never became an issue during daily wear.

Available Colours

Skeleton Dial And Legibility

Skeleton watches often sacrifice readability in favour of aesthetics, but the Nova Ignite manages to find a good balance.

The applied hour markers filled with Japanese luminous material stand out well against the movement, while the hands remain sufficiently visible despite the complexity of the dial.

Watching the automatic movement operate beneath the dial is genuinely enjoyable and gives the watch a strong sense of personality that traditional closed dials simply cannot replicate.

One point worth mentioning is the crystal. The anti-reflective mineral lens performs reasonably well, but reflections are still noticeable under certain lighting conditions. Considering the complexity of the skeletonized dial, this is understandable, although I believe stronger anti-reflective treatment could further improve legibility.

Build Quality

Considering its accessible price point, the overall build quality is better than I expected.

The stainless steel case feels solid, the finishing is clean throughout, and the bezel-free design gives the watch a modern, architectural appearance. The orange silicone strap is soft and flexible, complementing the bold design while remaining comfortable for everyday use.

Nothing about the watch feels cheap. Instead, it gives the impression of being a well-executed design piece that focuses on delivering visual impact without pretending to compete with significantly more expensive Swiss skeleton watches.

Movement

Powering the Nova Ignite is the M-CN-2105 automatic skeleton movement, displaying hours, minutes and central seconds.

Rather than hiding the movement behind a traditional dial, NUBEO makes it the centrepiece of the entire design. Every component becomes part of the visual experience, reinforcing the watch’s connection to exploration and engineering.

While this movement is not intended to compete with high-end mechanical calibres, it performs exactly as expected within its price category and fits perfectly with the character of the watch.

Everyday Wear

Despite its imposing dimensions, the Nova Ignite proved easier to wear than I initially imagined.

The slim profile helps it slide comfortably under most sleeves, while the silicone strap keeps the overall weight well balanced. Although the watch has a distinctly sporty appearance, it can easily become a conversation piece in casual everyday settings.

One aspect I would have liked to see improved is the water resistance. At 3 ATM (30 metres), it is perfectly adequate for everyday use but feels somewhat limited considering the watch’s robust construction and adventurous design language.

Technical Specifications

Pricing And Availability

The NUBEO ULYSSES Automatic Limited Edition launches on June 26, 2026.

Each of the six color variants is limited to 100 individually numbered pieces worldwide and carries a retail price of $350 USD.

Final Thoughts

The NUBEO ULYSSES Nova Ignite is a watch that knows exactly what it wants to be. Rather than trying to appeal to everyone, it embraces its bold proportions, skeletonized design and space-inspired identity to create something genuinely distinctive.

While there are a few compromises, such as the 3 ATM water resistance and the reflective mineral crystal, they don’t overshadow what this watch does well. It delivers strong visual impact, surprising comfort on the wrist and the exclusivity of a limited edition with only 100 pieces produced in this colourway.

For collectors who enjoy unconventional designs or simply want a mechanical watch that stands apart from traditional divers and dress watches, the Nova Ignite offers excellent value at its price point. It’s a conversation starter, a tribute to one of humanity’s greatest space missions and, above all, an enjoyable watch to wear.

If you’re interested in adding the NUBEO ULYSSES Nova Ignite to your collection, you can support WatchOverviews by purchasing it through the affiliate link below, at no additional cost to you.

For more information, please visit the official NUBEO website.

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