The Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon in Blue & Gold

Two years ago, Ulysse Nardin unveiled a series of supercharged Blast models fusing design cues from the Skeleton Tourbillon and the Skeleton X. Exposing every last mechanical detail of the skeletonised flying tourbillon movement, the distinctive feature of this family is the powerful double X traversing both sides of the dial. The Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon stages its return in a two-tone rose gold and blue PVD titanium case with matching-coloured accents to highlight the mechanical spectacle.

Stealth aircraft

The sharp, edgy architecture of the 45mm Blast case is designed to emulate the flat planes of stealth aircraft carefully oriented to avoid radar detection. Although it has already appeared in rose gold with a black ceramic bezel, this model combines 18k rose gold with a central case and bezel in blue PVD titanium. The central blue PVD titanium case is sandblasted, while the rose gold upper case is dynamically decorated with polished and brushed finishings.

Double X

The Blast Tourbillon amplifies the powerful X shape traversing the dial of Skeleton X watches with two blue Xs placed beneath the large rectangular window on the front of the dial. Like clamps, the double Xs sandwich the movement front and back. An opening in the rectangular frame hosts the flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock.

Located at 6 o’clock, the tourbillon is protected by a blue X-shaped cage. At the bottom of the cage, you can see the purple silicium escapement. After all, Ulysse Nardin was the precursor of silicium technology following the introduction of its Freak watch in 2001. To counterbalance the tourbillon escapement and underscore the verticality of the movement, the large barrel is placed at noon with the blued platinum micro-rotor resting on top. Applied to a blue-snailed flange and suspended over the movement are 12 short rose gold indices indicated by the sculpted hour and minute hands, all treated with Super-LumiNova.

Calibre UN-172

The Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon is powered by the UN-172 manufacture calibre, an automatic silicium flying tourbillon oscillating at a frequency of 2.5Hz with a 3-day power reserve. As we mentioned, the micro-rotor with its star-shaped central structure is made from platinum and can be seen on the barrel on the front side of the watch.

Presented with a matching blue velvet-textured rubber strap with a rose gold and blue PVD titanium folding clasp, the strap appears to be integrated into the case thanks to the three vertically brushed lugs that sheath it.

Availability & Price

The Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon Blue & Gold joins the permanent Blast collection and retails for CHF 63,500, EUR 67,438 (incl. EU taxes) or USD 67,000 (excl. taxes). For more information and taxes that might apply in your region, please visit ulysse-nardin.com.