Diamond Blast: Ulysse Nardin

Diamond Blast: Ulysse Nardin launches a sparkling exclusive Blast version

In the Geneva Watch Days event in late August, Ulysse Nardin launched a new series called Blast. The series features timepieces with a self-winding skeleton movement and a flying tourbillon. The multi-faceted case design inspired by the lines of the stealth aircraft; and a new “one-button” folding clasp. A week later, Ulysse Nardin launched another Blast reference, positioned as a high-end jewelry watch. Its hollow automatic tourbillon movement and its case are decorated with geometric cut diamonds, and its pattern is reminiscent of mosaics.

Sparkling explosion reference. 1720-400BLE-3A/00
The new Sparkling Blast is limited to three pieces with a diameter of 45 mm and a white gold case with a white rubber strap or a dark blue alligator leather strap. A total of 211 hand-engraved diamonds are decorated on the case, crown, bezel, index and hands of each watch; 85 of these diamonds have been uniquely cut, giving the timepiece a total weight of 13 carats. The X-shaped cage on the hollow dial is also inlaid with a series of diamonds, which are directly embedded in the dial’s “in-the-table” structure to highlight the large “X”-shaped rectangle inside the case, which itself is framed in the circle of the frame.

The X-shaped cage on the hollow dial is set with a series of diamonds.

Ulysse Nardin fake said that the middle design of the case and the unique triple lugs borrowed from the contours of the stealth fighter wing, with “aligned edges and jagged triangle patterns”, which made the radar and Radio waves cannot see them.

Each case, crown, bezel and index are decorated with hand-set diamonds; the watch has a total of 211 diamonds.

The diamonds are set using the “invisible setting” technique that originated in France 200 years ago. In this setting, the diamond is fixed in place by a hidden structure that creates a floating appearance inside the metal ring, but it is invisible from the surface.

The self-expanding buckle is decorated with 1.22k diamonds.
Like the executive skull tourbillon and other previous Blast models (you can find more information about the tourbillon here), the new Sparkling Blast reference model is powered by the skeletonized Calibre UN-172. This movement is an upgraded version of Ulysse Nardin’s existing caliber 171. After the update, it has a platinum micro-rotor visible from the front at 12 o’clock. This is the power source of the silicon spring and automatically winds to accumulate power reserve. Up to three days (72 hours). Inside the movement is a 2.5 Hz silicon flying automatic tourbillon. Of the 137 parts of the movement, 23 belong to the tourbillon.

Ulysse Nardin sparkling jewelry white rubber strap or dark blue and white leather strap, and equipped with a self-locking buckle decorated with 1.22k diamonds. The diamonds in each timepiece are in compliance with the World Diamond Council’s warranty system to ensure that no “conflict diamonds” enter the supply chain.

Manufacture: Ulysse Nardin
Model: Sparkling Blast
Reference Number: 1720-400BLE-3A/00
Movement: Caliber UN-172, automatic tourbillon movement
Functions: Hour, minute, silicon mainspring, escapement wheel, platinum micro-rotor at 12 o’clock, 25 jewels, 18,000-vph, 72-hour power-reserve
Case: White gold, polished and sandblasted, 211 diamonds (13k)
Bracelet & Clasp: White rubber strap, dark blue alligator leather strap
Dimensions: Diameter = 45 mm