The Minimalist and Enigmatic Ulysse Nardin Blast x Amoureuxpeintre

In what might be considered a surprising change of course, Ulysse Nardin announces its collaboration with Amoureuxpeintre, an edgy urban fashion designer who has been invited to reinterpret the Blast Skeleton X. Adopting the stark minimalism associated with Amoureuxpeintre’s design philosophy, the grey monochromatic suit and blurry, frosted windows of the Blast Skeleton X give the watch an enigmatic, now-you-see-me now-you-don’t presence.

This collaboration should not come as a surprise since Ulysse Nardin has always had its finger on the pulse of contemporary technology and trends. While its past as a purveyor of precision marine chronometers might be regarded as something relegated to the dusty annals of history, marine chronometers represented the height of technology in the mid-19^th century. Moving into the 21^st century, the brand’s revolutionary Freak using silicon components marked a before and after in horology.

The model chosen for the collaboration is the 42mm Blast Skeleton X, a reference distinguished by its X-shaped and rectangular bridges on the dial side. Positioned like sentinels, the bridges guard the radically skeletonised and vertically aligned UN-371 movement. Vsevolod ‘Sever’ Cherepanov, aka Amoureuxpeintre, the fashion designer, artist and model, was born in Kyrgyzstan and moved to Moscow in 2016, where he became the leading face of the modelling agency Lumpen. From model to urban streetwear designer, Amoureuxpeintre was one of the first designers to use augmented reality prints in his clothing. Since then, he has broadened his portfolio with an interior design division and a production and design agency.

In consonance with his philosophy that simplicity invites deeper inquiry, Amoureuxpeintre’s designs embrace minimalism and monochromatic palettes. Translating his muted, matte colour palette into the context of the Blast, the dark grey 42mm case is crafted in lightweight sandblasted titanium. The crown has been redesigned to remove the ribbed texture and enhance the clean lines of the case.

Unlike other Blast X Skeleton models, designed to offer an X-ray view of the movement front and back, the Blast (Amoureuxpeintre) has veiled the sightseeing with a frosted sapphire crystal dial. Producing a blurry, mysterious effect, you can just about make out the presence of the signature X and rectangular-shaped bridges and the ghostly profile of the vertical movement. According to the press release, the artist was inspired by the frosted panes that separate office workspaces.

The anthracite skeletonised hour and minute hands that float above the frosted glass have grey Super-LumiNova inserts pointing to a minimalist chapter ring on the periphery. The reverse side also features a frosted window with Amoureuxpeintre’s name, and there is a screwed plaque on the left case flank with the limited edition number of the watch XX/29. Powered by the UN-371 calibre, this manual-winding 3Hz movement has a robust 96-hour power reserve and a silicon escapement with nickel flyweights.

The Blast (Amoureuxpeintre) is paired with a grey Alcantara strap and a grey titanium sandblasted tang buckle. It is a limited edition of 29 pieces and retails for CHF 31,000 (incl. taxes), EUR 33,100 (incl. taxes) or USD 32,700 (excl. taxes). More information at ulysse-nardin.com.