Ulysse Nardin Blast

Geneva Watch Days 2020: Ulysse Nardin launches the Blast, a volcanic-inspired watch that is as complicated as it is aggressive. Available in 4 variations, the 45mm-diameter Blast features an openworked, automatic flying 2.5 Hz tourbillon with a ‘framed’ movement, comprised of a rectangular upper bridge a bi-colour double “X”. The Blast is an evolution of the Executive Tourbillon, featuring a redesigned case and movement – in other words, it’s a brand-new collection. It’s also the first skeletonised automatic tourbillon from Ulysse Nardin.

Interested in the Ulysse Nardin Blast? Drop us a message. We’d love to assist.

The Blast houses the new Calibre UN-172 movement, a derivation of the manually wound UN-171 movement, with a redesigned tourbillon cage, a healthy power-reserve of 72 hours and a platinum micro-rotor at 12 (above the mainspring barrel) with inscribed geo-coordinates of Le Locle, the home of Ulysse Nardin in Switzerland. As you’d expect from one of the early champions of the anti-magnetic material; the escape wheel, anchor and the balance spring are made of silicium. A metalloid that resembles metal without possessing all of its properties, in particular its hardness and its magnetic susceptibility.

Skeletonized Dial

One of the reasons collectors appreciate manual wound movements is that, in the absence of a winding rotor, more of the movement can be seen – and thus appreciated. Ulysse Nardin have built in the practicality of an automatic movement with the visibility of a manual one.  Calibre UN-172 also comes with a “Ulysse Nardin” Certificate. Unlike the COSC-certification process, Ulysse Nardin tests the accuracy and reliability of their movements after it has been cased – a small but important detail, which sees movements tested in conditions similar to daily wear, as opposed to perfect laboratory conditions.

4 Variations

The Ulysse Nardin Blast is available in Rose Gold Blast (18 ct. rose with black ceramic bezel), Black Blast (black ceramic case and bezel), White Blast (white ceramic case with titanium bezel) and Blue Blast (titanium case with titanium blue PVD bezel). Both the Rose Gold Blast and Blue Blast feature a faceted case architecture with alternating polished and brushed surfaces for a striking effect. Drawing inspiration from the stealth Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk aircraft.

The Black Blast and White Blast, on the other hand are slightly more utilitarian in their execution, with matte-ceramic cases.  All Blast watches feature Ulysse Nardin’s new patented 3-blade self-deploying folding buckle, which promises to be effortless to operate. Rather than needing to grasp both ends of the folding buckle – as is the norm – closing one side of the buckle, sets the other side in motion. Both meeting with an audible click, securing the bracelet shut.

Interested in the Ulysse Nardin Blast? Drop us a message. We’d love to assist.