Ulysse Nardin Updates its Blast Tourbillon Collection with a Stealthy Blue and Gold Iteration
5 min read
Just like the stealthy flypast of a Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk, the Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon makes a loud and explosive return with a two-tone execution in rose gold and blue PVD titanium. The sharp and edgy architecture of UN’s Blast Tourbillon timepiece highlights the pursuit of extraordinarily avant-garde creations at Ulysse Nardin transposed for the first time in a combination of rose gold and blue.
Rooted in marine chronometry tradition, Ulysse Nardin’s essence is one of enduring craftsmanship. Hallmarked throughout its tale of evolution, the brand has embraced transformation, skilfully translating its rich watchmaking heritage into a captivating new form that resonates with the high watchmaking codes of the 21st century. The Blast Tourbillon Blue and Gold effortlessly embodies this revolutionary shift.
A Stealthy DNA
For the Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon Blue and Gold, the inspiration behind the Blast name which means ‘explosion’ as well as its aesthetic nuances highlight the inner strength of the timepiece. As expressed by Jean-Christophe Sabatier, Chief Product Officer at Ulysse Nardin, a photograph of a stealth aircraft served as the design inspiration for the timepiece. The watch perfectly encapsulates an explosive thrust essence of a stealth jet and the super angular shape gets transposed on the wrist.
Leveraging strong technological nuances to enhance the design elements, the movement, which is UN’s in-house caliber UN-172 defines the overall aesthetic. Integration of the components such as the dial interface, movement, and the case results in an inside-out watch equally beguiling on either side.
The X-Factor Aesthetic
The primary bridge at the center of Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon Blue and Gold exhibits the timepiece’s X-Factor. The double X’s define the bridges of the skeletonised dial and a rectangle shape within the architecture is emblematic of the brand’s executive timepiece offerings. All of the brand’s proprietary refinements along with the X-style echo front and back.
Fastidious Details - Case and Buckle
A watch that debuted back in 2020 as part of a 4-piece set, the Blast Tourbillon gets a blue and gold treatment, a portfolio-first offering. In terms of case construction, the 45 mm diameter of the watch feels well-planted and comfortable. Despite its hefty dimensions, the watch is surprisingly thin at 13 mm and would slice underneath the cuffs easily. Being all sapphire, rose gold, titanium, and rubber, the watch is very light on the wrist. Its lugs push right out to the edge of the wrist and the case showcases a domination of satin surfaces.
The Blast collection heralds a plethora of firsts for Ulysse Nardin and its self-deploying buckle equipped on the blue velvet rubber strap is one such innovation. This rare and exotic architecture features synchronized clasps which move together owing to a sort of modified parallelogram mechanism. The clasp body itself includes a duo of articulated rails that have built-in hinges. Closing or opening one replicates the action for the other side as well. Ergonomically outstanding and easy in application, this ingenious clasp design allows for single-hand operation.
Open and Airy UN-172 Manufacture Movement
For timekeeping duties on its novel execution of the Blast Tourbillon timepiece in rose gold and blue, Ulysse Nardin relies on the 137 components of its skeletonized flying tourbillon movement, the caliber UN-172.
Featuring a micro-rotor at the top and tourbillon at the bottom in a 12 to 6 arrangement, the movement beating at 2.5 Hz and autonomous for 72 hours showcases UN’s proprietary silicon technology with an anti-magnetic in-house silicon hairspring and an unlubricated anti-magnetic full silicon escapement. The lack of an upper bridge on this flying tourbillon prevents any blocking of the intricate views of the mechanical works.
An Enduring Brand Destined for Greatness
A company that has always had an incredible in-house capability up to and including enamel dials and proprietary silicon technology, Ulysse Nardin is set to define the future codes of haute horlogerie revolution.
Timepieces such as the new Blast Tourbillon Blue and Gold cement the prospects of upward mobility for Ulysse Nardin as a brand and earn it an unparalleled appreciation of purists to the point of explosive intensity.
Technical Specifications:
1725-400-3A/3A
Caliber UN-172 Manufacture movement
Number of parts 137
Power reserve (H) 72
Functions Flying Tourbillon. Hours and minutes. Escapement wheel, anchor and balance spring in silicium.
Frequency (Hz) 2.5
Frequency (vph) 18'000
Escapement Silicium
Case 18ct Rose Gold
Glass Sapphire
Mechanism Self-winding
Dimensions Diameter 45mm, Height 13 mm
Strap Velvet & Rubber
