Round-UpA Blast From The Future: Presenting The Ulysse Nardin Blast Collection

For a brand that over 170 years old, Ulysse Nardin’s outlook remains as dynamic and contemporary as their eponymous founder’s vision from 1846. Almost 20 years after releasing the ground-breaking Freak in 2001, they released the Blast, another revolutionary timepiece that has since grown into an icon. The Ulysse Nardin Blast collection, released only in 2020, is widely regarded today for its open-worked dial and movement, integrated beautifully to form a stunning visual treat. With a distinctive ‘X’ and rectangle on the skeletonised dial, the Ulysse Nardin Blast perfectly displays the brand’s commitment towards the future, while also demonstrating the utmost respect for their illustrious past achievements.

Blasting Into Contemporary Watchmaking: The Ulysse Nardin Blast Collection

In 1983, after Rolf Schnyder took over the helm of a brand reeling from the ‘quartz crisis’, Ulysse Nardin had a second coming of sorts with the release of radical timepieces such as the Freak that defined the future of horology. While the Marine Torpilleur, released in 2017, was an ode to the brand’s rich heritage associated with marine chronometry, the Ulysse Nardin Blast collection—introduced three years later—once again challenged the norms of what was acceptable. Inspired by stealth aircraft technology, the Blast features a multi-piece case construction with angular lugs. Despite its sizeable presence, the Ulysse Nardin Blast collection is lightweight and comfortable. Distinctive for its sense of visual symmetry, the Blast’s dial displays high-watchmaking treats such as the tourbillon, without compromising on readability. The collection also forms a beautiful base for the brand to display their artistic and technical excellence, as in the case of the Blast Tourbillon Dragon, or the Blast Hourstriker. Here are some of the best watches from the Ulysse Nardin Blast collection.

The Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon

Among the first watches in the Ulysse Nardin Blast collection was the Blast Tourbillon. Sized at 45mm, the multi-part case of the Blast tourbillon is constructed from rose gold or titanium. For a watch of these dimensions, the Blast Tourbillon is relatively slim with a thickness of only 13mm. The rose gold version features a case middle in DLC and a ceramic bezel, while the latter features a multi-part case made from titanium. Angular lugs that point downwards and the integrated strap make the watch seem smaller on the wrist than what its size on paper suggests.

Angular lugs on the Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon timepieces feature satin polished and brushed finishes that are best highlighted on the rose gold timepiece

₹69,60,000

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The rose gold version of the Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon features a case middle in DLC and a contrasting black ceramic bezel

₹69,60,000

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The crown and geometric guards on the Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon rose gold timepiece

₹69,60,000

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The skeletonised dial of the Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon features the prominent rectangular and double X-shaped bridges, with a flying tourbillon at six o’clock. A platinum micro-rotor visible through the bridges at 12 o’clock offsets the tourbillon. Hour markers on the flange and timekeeping hands—all filled generously with Super-LumiNova—match the rose gold or metallic grey of the case. Gears, plates and screws of the UN-172 manufacture calibre make up the subtle decoration behind these bridges. A silicon balance spring and escapement wheel offer enhanced anti-magnetism, and the movement boasts a considerable power reserve of 72 hours. Designed in conjunction with each other, the 137-part calibre and the open-worked dial result in a harmonious timepiece with a bold yet symmetrical aesthetic.

The skeletonised dial of the Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon features the prominent rectangular and double X-shaped bridges and a micro rotor at 12 o'clock

₹55,90,000

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At six o’clock on the open-worked dial of the Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon is a flying tourbillon

₹55,90,000

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Designed in conjunction with each other, the UN-172 manufacture calibre and the skeleton dial result in a harmonious timepiece with a bold yet symmetrical aesthetic

₹69,60,000

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The Ulysse Nardin Blast Blast Skeleton X

Sized at 42mm, the case of the Ulysse Nardin Blast Skeleton X is made from titanium or rose gold, while the Blast Skeleton X Black features black PVD treatment on its titanium case. Smaller and more fluid than the highly geometric Blast Tourbillon, the Blast Skeleton X stands out for a greater degree of skeletonisation on the face of the watch and its caseback. Made up of 173 parts, the manual-winding UN-371 calibre offers a whopping 96-hour power reserve. Here too, the balance wheel, escapement and balance spring are made from silicon.

On the dial, indexes at 11, one, five and seven o’clock extend into the X-shaped bridge, while Roman numerals at three and nine o’clock connect to the rectangle. The three-dimensional movement is a wonder to behold, even as the rhodium finish of the parts on the titanium version does not disrupt legibility. On the rose gold timepiece, indexes and the movement feature a rose gold-plated finish, enhancing the visual appeal of the timepiece considerable. In contrast, the bridges stand out in blue on this Blast Skeleton X rose gold watch.

Blast Skeleton X Carbonium

Crafted from carbonium—a carbon fibre made up of aeronautical waste, which makes the composite 40 percent more environmentally friendly—and gold, the case of the Blast Skeleton X Carbonium is sized at 43mm. Gold flecks stand out against the marbled grey-black case. The crown on the case, and indexes and the UN-371 movement visible on the watch face shine through the black of the case and dial bridges. The watch is paired with either rubber or a leather strap with beige stitching that further highlights the gold aesthetic on the Ulysse Nardin Blast Skeleton X Carbonium timepiece.

Crafted from carbonium and gold, the case of the Blast Skeleton X Carbonium is sized at 43mm

₹27,40,000

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Gold flecks stand out against the marbled grey-black case. The crown, indexes and the UN-371 movement shine through the black of the case and dial bridges

₹27,40,000

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The Ulysse Nardin Blast Dual Time

The Ulysse Nardin Blast Dual Time series are designed for those who love travel and adventure. These sporty, 42mm timepieces are crafted from steel, with bezels in black or blue. A crown and guards at three o’clock on the case are offset by two pushers at eight and 10 o’clock, which are used to adjust the second time zone function on the watch. Sun-brushed blue or black dials feature the distinctive ‘X’ extending from hour markers 11 down to five o’clock, and one to seven o’clock. A contrasting grained finish decorates the rectangle in the centre of the dial, with a snailed effect on the small seconds sub-dial at six o’clock. A double window displays the date at two on the dial, and at nine o’clock is a framed circular opening for the second time zone. The timepiece is powered by the automatic UN-24 calibre, with hours, minutes, small seconds, double-digit date, and dual time functions, and a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. Extremely cool, sporty and contemporary, the Ulysse Nardin Blast Dual Time series offers visual harmony with a well balanced dial layout.

Contemporary and comfortable despite being robust, the Ulysse Nardin Blast collection offers not just aesthetic value but also enhanced precision thanks to the brand’s silicon technology. With movements designed and developed specifically for this line, the Ulysse Nardin Blast Collection celebrates the brand’s illustrious past as well as its future.