FROM sky-high blue glaciers at the ends of the planet to the volcanic islands of the Pacific, the daunting and dangerous nature of magma and glaciers, violent lava eruptions and cascading ice shelves have fascinated explorers for centuries.
Supercharged with classic Ulysse Nardin savoir faire, Blast is made with rock-hard, masculine lines, the complex, eometric architecture of its tessellated horns, creating a pumped-up, vigorous and imposing masterpiece.
Blast plays off the transparency of its new powerful automatic silicium tourbillon nested in a bold, X-shaped cage, which beats inside at a frequency of 2.5 Hz, allowing light to penetrate the open-worked body of the watch like a laser.
The Ulysse Nardin designers drew inspiration from the sharp wings of a stealth aircraft as it slices through a storm, restyling and rebuilding the watch horns in strong and geometric lines.
Smooth yet muscular, the horns are aerodynamic and imposing, much like the sharp rocks that jut out of a volcano.
Each triangle varies in its finishing, with the surface of the horns alternating between polished, satin-finish and sand-blasted veneer.
The result is an otherworldly effect, like the lunar landscapes of black, cold magma that surround a volcano and glisten under the light of the moon.
To embody this volatile life force, Ulysse Nardin is partnering with Carsten Peter, an award-winning nature photographer and regular contributor to National Geographic Magazine, a climber, paraglider, caver, diver and canyoner.
His images take the viewer to places most would never dare to go; over glaciers, into tornadoes and right up to the intense heat present around volcanoes.
Blast is available in four distinct models, each with the new manufacture UN-172 movement with an automatic tourbillon and the new self-deploying buckle, coming with several strap options, including structured rubber, leather, velvet or other specific options.
White Blast
The colour composition for this watch is straight out of Antarctica: white ceramic, metallic grey, dark blue and beautiful transparency.
Reminiscent of glaciers, this model features a smooth titanium bezel, dark blue inscriptions on the barrel, ‘Silicium Technology’, which beats inside of it.
The dark blue Ulysse Nardin logo is featured prominently on the rectangular frame and the dark blue colour on the sculpted indexes and hands is completed by Superluminova. Its jewels are transparent like snowflakes.
White blast: T-1723-400/00
Rose Gold Blast
Forged from one of the most precious metals on the planet, this model features a black DLC middle case and solid gold horns, black ceramic bezel, a bicolour
tourbillon cage in rose gold and black PVD, sculpted rose gold indexes and hands set with Superluminova, with transparent jewels.
Rose Gold Blast: T-1725-400/02
Black Blast
This version comes with a ceramic upper middle case and bezel; black rectangular bridge, red and black double X pattern and a stunning new red balance wheel – the first time that Ulysse Nardin has ever developed a coloured balance wheel.
The crystal joint is red, as are the jewels and the lacquered inscription ‘Silicium Technology’ on the barrel.
Blue Blast: T-1723-400/03
Blue Blast
Cool blue like the inside of an iceberg, the Blue Blast has a titanium middle case, blue titanium bezel, blue brass rectangular bridge, blue tourbillon cage, blue
and grey double X pattern, metallic grey sculpted hands and indexes with Superluminova.
Blue Blast: T-1723-400/03
For Ulysse Nardin’s full catalogue, visit www.thehourglass.com/my/catalog/ulysse-nardin/.