Since its introduction in 2020, the Blast Tourbillon has emerged as the epitome of Ulysse Nardin’s unconventional craftsmanship and design. With its bold, disruptive aesthetic, state-of-the-art movement, and iconic X structure, it serves as a symbol of Ulysse Nardin’s visionary spirit. In celebration of the Lunar New Year, this avant-garde creation intertwines with the ancient allure of Chinese folklore, where the majestic Dragon encounters the captivating Pearl.
In accordance with traditional Chinese culture, 2024 marks the Year of the Dragon. These revered creatures symbolize strength, power, and good fortune, often associated with pearls that embody purity, wisdom, and wealth. When these two symbols unite, as seen in countless tales, they signify a harmonious fusion of power, providence, and prosperity.
In the Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon Dragon, the mythical creature, meticulously hand-sculpted in 5N rose gold, gracefully coils around the skeletonized X structure, seemingly emerging from within the movement itself. Safeguarded between its five-clawed hands, the mythical pearl takes center stage atop the flying tourbillon’s cage. The choice of five claws holds significance, as it traditionally represents the highest prestige, associated with Imperial dynasties.
Releasing the Inner Dragon:
Back in 2012, during the previous Year of the Dragon, Ulysse Nardin unveiled the limited edition Classico Enamel Champlevé Dragon, featuring exquisite dragon artwork in enamel. Fast forward to 2024, and this creature has dynamically come to life in three-dimensional form. The creation of a 3D dragon posed significant challenges, requiring a two-year development process with bespoke adjustments to the Blast Tourbillon’s case, bezel, and glass-box crystal.
The rose gold dragon, intricately engraved and micro-painted by hand, stands as a testament to elite artistry, demanding four days of craftsmanship. Every detail, from the scales of its tail to its gleaming whiskers and claws, is meticulously modeled and rendered with utmost precision.
The Art of Invention:
The fantastical dragon entwines itself around the high-tech masterpiece, the Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon. Behind the dragon and the skeletonized dial, the Blast Tourbillon’s manufacture movement, Calibre UN-172, is as unorthodox as it is ingenious. Launched in 2020, it features a platinum micro-rotor visible at 12 o’clock, delivering up to three days of power reserve.
Ulysse Nardin’s expertise in silicon fabrication enhances the flying tourbillon’s performance and resistance benefits, a technology first introduced in 2001 with the revolutionary Freak. The fusion of this mythical creature with avant-garde horology symbolizes the collision of worlds.
Designing the Future:
The Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon seamlessly unifies movement and case, embodying architectural modernism and reflecting the brand’s enduring mission to rethink haute horlogerie. The rose gold upper case, with its angular facets and opulent finishes, is paired with a DLC-blackened titanium bezel and case middle, all mounted on an integrated black alligator strap with a 5N rose gold and black PVD titanium folding clasp.
For those with a penchant for the extraordinary and daring, the Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon Dragon encapsulates in-house innovations, métiers d’art, and the mystique of the Year of the Dragon. Merging ancient mythology with cutting-edge horology, it invites enthusiasts to celebrate the power and prosperity embodied by this iconic symbol.
For more information, please visit Ulysse-Nardin.com.