The 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.
The company was taken over and re-invigorated in 1983 by Rolf W. Schnyder who transformed it into a profitable business. From 2014, it was a subsidiary of the French luxury group Kering. Ulysse Nardin has operated out of the same building headquartered in Le Locle, Switzerland since 1865. Ulysse Nardin is now owned by Sowind Group SA following a management buyout.