The Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon Dragon is a showcase of the brand’s high horology and craftsmanship in their classic Blast case!
Ulysse Nardin has unveiled their latest creation, the Tourbillon Blast Dragon in celebration of The Year Of The Dragon starting next month. In true Ulysse Nardin fashion, they have combined their high watchmaking skills and blended this with some next-level craftsmanship showcasing a dragon guarding a pearl.
According to the traditional Chinese culture, these revered creatures symbolise strength, power and good fortune. They are frequently associated with pearls representing purity, wisdom, and wealth. When these two symbols come together, as in countless tales, they signify a harmonious blend of power, providence and prosperity. A fitting ideology for this piece!
Housed in the Blast case, known for its use of angles and lines, with the iconic X through the entre of the dial, the new Blast Tourbillon Dragon takes this piece to the next level without losing the DNA that is Ulysse Nardin. In 2012, the last Year Of The Dragon, Ulysse Nardin featured a dragon on an enamel dial. This year they’ve taken this and exploded it into a 3D dragon weaving around the X of the Blast dial and in and out of the gear trains.
The Blast Tourbillon Dragon took 2 years to develop, and when looking at the detail and intricacy of the dial, you can understand why. The rose gold dragon is engraved and micro-painted entirely by hand, and took 4 days to create – three days for the engraving, and one for the painstaking application of gradated shades of red, orange and yellow. The result is a beautifully rendered creature that comes to life straight out of both imagination and folklore!
The Blast Tourbillon’s manufacture movement, Calibre UN-172, was Ulysse Nardin’s first skeleton tourbillon calibre with an automatic winding mechanism launched in 2020. It features a platinum micro-rotor visible at 12 o’clock, and from this, delivers up to three days of power reserve from a single barrel.
There is a flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock, which benefits from the Maison’s pioneering expertise in silicon fabrication, which is entered made in house for and by Ulysse Nardin. Atop of the flying tourbillon is the pearl – the subject which the dragon guards, and makes for a beautiful addition to the artistic dial. Whilst the pearl does hide the flying tourbillon somewhat, we can forgive this on this piece as it has a place in the story of the Blast Tourbillon Dragon.
The 45mm case is made from rose gold with both satin-brushed and polished finishes across different parts of the case, showcasing both the smooth and angular facets. This is paired with a bezel and case middle in DLC-blackened titanium, which offsets the case nicely and adds to the elegant yet sports look of the Blas Tourbillon Dragon. The integrated black alligator strap with a 5N rose gold and black PVD titanium folding clasp finished the look off nicely and adds yet another dimension to the piece.
Final Thoughts
The Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon Dragon is both a stunning piece of art and fusion of high-end watchmaking, and thankfully, is the watch that Ulysee Nardin should have produced to celebrate the Year Of The Dragon. Yes, it’s on the larger size at 45mm, however at only 11mm thick and a strap that is seamlessly blended into the case and short lugs, it should fit the wrist well. And let’s face it, it’s not a piece that is meant to go under the radar. It’s meant to be seen and admired, and if you’re spending the AUD $160,100 this piece commands, then I assume it’s one you’re going to want to show off!
Reference: 1725-400-2A/1A
Specification
- Size: 45mm, 11mm thick
- Case: 18ct Rose Gold Upper with brushed and polished edges. Black DLC coated Titanium middle case.
- Bezel: Black DLC coated fixed Titanium
- Dial: Skeletonised X dial with 3D hand engraved and painted dragon is rose gold plus pear on top of the tourbillon
- Crystal: Glassbox sapphire crystal
- Movement: UN-172 Manufacture automatic movement with Anti-magnetic silicon balance spring, vibrating at 2.5Hz / 18,000 Vph and flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock.
- Water Resistance: 50m (5ATM)
- Strap: Black matt alligator leather strap
