In 2020, Swiss replica Ulysse Nardin launched a series of new sporty, relatively inexpensive and practical tourbillon watches and Ulysse Nardin Blast series timepieces. Explosive-themed watches have a friendly irony because they are positioned as items that can be worn by all types of explorers and bombers, although historically, their internal mechanisms are relatively refined. Alas, the tourbillon itself should never be pushed. I know that Richard Mille’s strategy of equipping celebrities like Rafael Nadal took a bit of effort on the traditional view of high complexity, but how much more real world there is It remains to be seen that watch lovers want to go out and get their approval. Luxury watches based on tourbillons are dirty. The brand claims that although Blast is not a diver’s watch, it is lightweight and durable, and can be worn on the wrist when the wearer is actively engaged in a lifestyle. Therefore, the robust posture shown by these new models with their novel actions really arouses people’s enthusiasm for adventure. The blast furnace exploded, see if this day might take you…
The 2020 Ulysse Nardin Blast series are brand new, and trained eyes can appreciate that they are an evolution of existing models. The 45 mm wide case and movement were born from the previous generation of Ulysse Nardin Executive Tourbillon watches. The case has been redesigned and the movement has been completely revised. To be sure, in 2020, the appeal of Blast will be higher than Executive Tourbillon, and the latter will never sit as firmly as a dress watch or a sports watch.
Let us focus on the eye-catching movement of this new Blast watch, which is the Ulysse Nardin movement UN-172 developed and produced in-house. Ulysse Nardin (Ulysse Nardin) said that this new mechanism is an improvement to the UN-171 movement, which is one of many tourbillon-based mechanisms developed by Le Lecle. In addition to the new (and carefully crafted) bridge and the “X” design theme, the movement also includes an automatic winding system based on a micro-platinum rotor above the barrel, which can be seen from the side of the dial. The geographical coordinates on the watch determine the location of Le Locle Switzerland in the world. The UN-172 movement uses Ulysse Nardin’s internal silicon technology. Silicon is used to produce the escape wheel, anchor and hairspring of the mechanical movement. These are not Diamonsil coated parts, this is another internal silicon technology used in some other UN products.
The movement itself runs at 2.5 Hz (18,000 bph) and has a power reserve of approximately 72 hours. Ulysse Nardin further commented on the incredible efficiency of the movement in automatic or manual winding mode. The movement is made of effective 137 parts and meets the antimagnetic performance of the NIHS standard. Each blast furnace watch comes with a “Ulysie Nadine (UN) certificate”, which exceeds the COSC timer standard. Like other companies such as Rolex, replica Patek Philippe and Omega, Ulysse Nardin performs its own internal tests on each movement, especially after it is installed in the case. These tests put the boxed watch (including the movement in the case and the movement outside the case in the case of COSC) through a long period of time, including various positions and temperatures. The key is to ensure that the movements are accurate and consistent.
The UN-172 movement seems to be the winner because it combines the practicality of self-winding and silicon parts, as well as the vast beauty of haute horology, and the visual effects of the hollow dial and movement. Ulysse Nardin (Ulysse Nardin) introduced four models to Blast, each model has a different color theme, the use of slightly different materials. The 45 mm wide case is waterproof to 50 meters, and is equipped with a series of specially assembled rubber straps with inlay materials ranging from fabric to crocodile leather.
Speaking of belts, Ulysse Nardin seems to be particularly keen on its new “self-deployment buckle”. This new buckle technology (developed with a Swiss partner) was first used on Blast watches. The idea is simple, but it is actually about making the closure (and opening) of the butterfly clasp more elegant. Ulysse Nardin showed me the action of the buckle through the video, but I wanted to try it myself. In general, I believe this new deployer will be a welcome new feature.
I am also interested in Blast’s angular case design, which seems to be reminiscent of Audemars Piguet Royal Oak offshore watches and Waltham Aeronaval watches. Ulysse Nardin demonstrated how the lines on the explosion shell are visually similar to the lines on the B-2 stealth bomber plane, and explained how to make complex curves and Finishing becomes possible. Case materials include titanium, ceramics and 18k rose gold, including mixtures of those materials used in various parts of the case.
