Ulysse Nardin Releases New Model "Blast Freewheel Marquetry"

At the Geneva Watch Days, which began on August 29, 2023, Ulysse Nardin unveiled its new model, the Blast Freewheel Marquetry. A pioneer in the watch industry in adopting silicium (silicon) for movement components, Ulysse Nardin will reach even greater heights with this material in 2023.

Ulysse Nardin Releases New Model "Blast Freewheel Marquetry"

　Ulysse Nardin announced a new model at Geneva Watch Days, which will be held from August 29, 2023: the Blast Freewheel Marquetry.

　Ulysse Nardin was the first brand to use silicium (silicon) components in its watch movements. Lightweight, resistant to wear, and able to provide anti-magnetic properties to movements, silicium is now a familiar material for watches. However, in this new model, Ulysse Nardin has treated silicium not only as a technical material, but also as an "artistic" material.

Beautiful blue Silicium marquetry

　The Blast collection is a staple of Ulysse Nardin, characterized by its faceted and sharply edged cases. The new 18K white gold model also features intricately designed shapes created using laser processing, and the dial, which is unique in its blue silicon marquetry disc, is adorned with geometric lines. These lines are inspired by marquetry (wood marquetry). While the disc has already been introduced in the Freak X, this is its first appearance in the Blast collection. The marquetry, made up of 103 blue tiles, truly elevates silicon to the level of an artistic material.

　The blue tiles are given a matte or mirror finish with micron-level precision, and the combination of two thicknesses, 0.30mm and 0.35mm, gives the piece a three-dimensional effect with striking reflections and contrasts, as well as a gorgeous finish. Assembling and decorating the tiny silicon plates required artisans to devote hours of delicate work.

　The movement also features a design code that pays homage to the Freak movement, which was first introduced by Ulysse Nardin in 2001.

　On the dial, various mechanisms such as the flying tourbillon with the Ulysse Anchor Constant escapement at 6 o'clock, the mainspring barrel at 12 o'clock, the 7-day power reserve indicator at 4 o'clock, and the power reserve differential at 10 o'clock are arranged as if floating in the air by invisible attachments. At a glance, you can tell that this is a complex and intricate watch. Incidentally, the decorated winding mechanism is at 3 o'clock, the reduction gear at 7 o'clock, and the gear above the power reserve differential is the intermediate wheel.

　The ultra-glass case allows the dial to be viewed from the side of the case. This, along with the first case back made of silicon,
You will be able to fully enjoy the cutting-edge technology possessed by the Ulysse Nardin manufacture.

In-house movement Cal.UN-176

　The new model is equipped with the in-house movement Cal. UN-176, which is made up of approximately 249 parts.

　As mentioned above, this model is a homage to the Freak that was released in 2001, with each mechanism arranged on the dial as if it were "floating in the air," and it took two years of research and development to achieve this.

　The escapement is particularly noteworthy. The Ulysse Anchor Constant Escapement, made of silicon, challenges the principles of conventional anchor escapements, and is comprised of a circular frame with a central anchor fixed to it, supported by two blade springs (leaf springs) whose diameter is less than a quarter of the thickness of a human hair.

　The two blade springs are mounted perpendicular to each other and can bend or remain stable, ensuring an even balance impulse regardless of the power reserve. Silicon technology is also used in the balance spring and escape wheel, eliminating the need for the traditional escape wheel or anchor pivot jewel.

　This special tourbillon won the Tourbillon Prize at the 2015 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG).

　The dynamic barrel at 12 o'clock is also an important key player in this floating mechanism. Its lack of visible attachments enhances the effect of floating above the dial. This barrel offers a power reserve of approximately seven days, making it uncompromising in terms of performance. The remaining power reserve can be checked using the power reserve indicator at 4 o'clock, which remains stationary. An ingenious approach is used: when the mainspring is fully wound, three bands are displayed in front of the indicator, and when the mainspring is low, only one band is displayed.

　This new model, featuring blue silicon tiles and complex mechanisms, offers a taste of Ulysse Nardin's Haute Horlogerie, refined both technically and artistically.