Unveiled during the Geneva Watch Days event in August 2020, the ULYSSE NARDIN “BLAST” is a rock solid and masculine watch collection that boasts a complex and geometric architecture inspired by the stealth aircrafts.
The collection draws its inspiration from the planet’s extremes: Fire and ice, magma and glaciers, violent lava eruptions and cascading ice shelves.
It boasts a tight, edgy blueprint, omnipresent “X-Factor” and stealth design. The BLAST is a fresh, muscular and robust open-worked model. It plays off the transparency of its new powerful automatic silicium tourbillon nested in a bold, X-shaped cage, which beats inside at a frequency of 2.5 Hz.
Light penetrates the open-worked body of the watch like a laser. The watch incorporates some Ulysse Nardin emblematic codes: like the rectangular frame, the 3-horned signature fixing the strap, the smooth, colored bezel, the verticality of the movement with the barrel at 12 o’clock and the flying tourbillon at 6o’clock.
This distinctive look has been modeled on the same lines as a stealth aircraft, which features aligned edges and serrated triangular patterns to make them invisible to radar and to deflect radio waves. The Ulysse Nardin designers have restyled and rebuilt the watch horns making them strong and geometric like the sharp wings of a stealth aircraft.
Smooth yet muscular, the horns are aerodynamic and imposing. Each triangle has a different finish, the surface of the horns alternating between polished, satin-finish and sand-blasted veneer.
As with FREAK X, SKELETON X and DIVER X, BLAST wears its “X” prominently and with pride. Indeed, the “X” has become an underlying theme progressing transversally throughout all Ulysse Nardin collections and has affirmed its presence in all four BLAST models.
This watch is powered by the recently fashioned UN-172 movement (an evolution of the UN-171 movement) and has a three-day power reserve.
The movement also features an automatic tourbillon for the first time within the Ulysse Nardin SKELETON collection and a new tiny yet powerful platinum micro-rotor, which is visible only from the front of the watch at 12 o’clock.
Every part of this timepiece was cleverly thought, from the triple-toothed round bezel to the double “X” that clamps the movement components together in a “secret-agent style” sandwich, to the self-deploying buckle which releases effortlessly in just one click.
BLAST is available in four distinct models, each with the new manufacture UN-172 movement with an automatic tourbillon and the new self-deploying buckle. Several strap options are possible: structured rubber, leather, velvet and some other specific option.
ULYSSE NARDIN WHITE BLAST, 45 mm
Reminiscent of glaciers, this model features a smooth titanium bezel, dark blue inscriptions on the barrel mentioning “Silicium Technology” which beats inside of it.
The dark blue “Ulysse Nardin” logo is featured prominently on the rectangular frame and the dark blue color on the sculpted indexes and hands, is completed by Superluminova. Its jewels are transparent just like snowflakes.
ULYSSE NARDIN ROSE GOLD BLAST, 45 mm
This model features a black DLC middle case and solid gold horns, black ceramic bezel, a bicolor tourbillon cage rose gold colored and black PVD, sculpted rose gold indexes and hands set with Superluminova. Transparent jewels. Black X. Black Rectangle.
ULYSSE NARDIN BLACK BLAST, 45 mm
The iconic model of this line, BLACK BLAST comes complete with a ceramic upper middle case and bezel; black rectangular bridge, red and black double “X” pattern and a stunning new red balance wheel – the first time that Ulysse Nardin has ever developed a colored balance wheel.
The crystal joint is red, so are the jewels and the lacquered inscription “Silicium Technology” on the barrel. Grey Ulysse Nardin logo completes the rectangular frame. The geometric horns are fully polished and sandblasted for a matte-finish.
ULYSSE NARDIN BLUE BLAST, 45 mm
Cool blue like the inside of an iceberg, the BLUE BLAST has a titanium middle case, blue titanium bezel, blue brass rectangular bridge, blue tourbillon cage, blue and grey double “X” pattern, metallic grey sculpted hands and indexes with Superluminova.
Technical details
Collection: BLAST
References
BLUE BLAST: T-1723-400/03
BLACK BLAST: T-1723-400/BLACK
WHITE BLAST: T-1723-400/00
ROSE GOLD BLAST: T-1725-400/02
Movement
Caliber UN-172
Automatic tourbillon movement with micro-rotor
Functions
Tourbillon, hours, minutes
Skeleton, raised rectangular bridge
Escapement wheel, anchor, and balance spring in silicium
Platinum micro-rotor at 12 o’clock
25 jewels, 18’000 V/H
2.5 Hz tourbillon
Power reserve: approx. 72 hours
Case
Titanium with PVD/DLC Coating
Rose Gold
Ceramic
Diameter: 45 mm
Case back: Sapphire crystal
Water resistance: 50 m
Strap
Structured or plain Rubber strap
Alligator or Calfskin Strap
Velvet or Denim Strap
Suggested retail price
BLUE BLAST: T-1723-400/03 – 44’000 EUR
BLACK BLAST: T-1723-400/BLACK – 46’000 EUR
WHITE BLAST: T-1723-400/00 – 46’000 EUR
ROSE GOLD BLAST: T-1725-400/02 – 54’000 EUR
