A mythical beast emerges from the heart of haute horlogerie in the Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon Dragon, a timepiece that celebrates the Lunar New Year with a captivating blend of tradition and technical prowess.
Since its debut in 2020, the Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon has been a testament to Ulysse Nardin’s daring spirit and unconventional approach to watchmaking. Its bold, angular design, high-tech movement and iconic X-structure have made it a symbol of the brand’s visionary power. Now, to celebrate the Year of the Dragon in 2024, Ulysse Nardin has imbued this avant-garde creation with the ancient magic of Chinese folklore, weaving a tale in which the majestic dragon meets the alluring pearl.
In Chinese culture, the dragon embodies strength, power and good fortune. Often paired with the pearl, which symbolises purity, wisdom and wealth, these two icons come together to represent a harmonious balance of power, providence and prosperity. Traditionally depicted as a dragon guarding a mystical pearl, the Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon Dragon brings this legend to life in a breathtaking three-dimensional spectacle.
Read more: Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel “Dragon” celebrates the Year of the Dragon
Handcrafted in 5N rose gold, the dazzling mythical creature winds around and through the skeletonised X-structure, as if emerging from the heart of the movement itself. Its five clawed hands cradle the mythical pearl atop the flying tourbillon cage, a deliberate nod to the imperial prestige associated with these majestic beasts.
This isn’t the first time that Ulysse Nardin has embraced the Year of the Dragon. In 2012, the brand presented the immaculate 88-piece limited edition Classico Enamel Champlevé Dragon, featuring exquisite dragon artwork in enamel, a testament to the dwindling art form kept alive by Ulysse Nardin. But in 2024, the dragon comes to life in a captivating three-dimensional form.
Creating a 3D dragon that seamlessly weaves beneath the watch’s hands and interacts with the intricate gear train and X-structure was a major challenge. Over the course of two years, Ulysse Nardin meticulously designed this unique dial and adapted the Blast Tourbillon’s case, bezel and crystal to accommodate this extraordinary creation.
The rose gold dragon, meticulously engraved and micro-painted by hand, is a masterpiece of elite craftsmanship. Every scale, whisker and claw is rendered with precision, requiring four days of meticulous craftsmanship – three for the engraving and one for the delicate application of graduated shades of red, orange and yellow.
This fantastic creature is a portal to a world of high-tech, avant-garde watchmaking. Behind the dragon and the skeletonised dial lies the Blast Tourbillon’s UN-172 calibre, a manufacture movement as unorthodox as it is ingenious.
Do you use Google News? You can follow your favorite media. Follow Fashionotography on Google News, by RSS or on Flipboard.
Launched in 2020, this calibre is Ulysse Nardin’s first self-winding skeleton tourbillon. Despite its diminutive size, the visible platinum micro-rotor at 12 o’clock packs a powerful punch, delivering up to 72 hours of power reserve.
As with Ulysse Nardin’s most advanced timepieces, the flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock benefits from the Manufacture’s pioneering expertise in silicon technology. Introduced in 2001 with the revolutionary Freak, this material, used for the escapement wheel, pallet fork and balance spring, enhances performance and resistance.
The Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon Dragon transcends the boundaries of pure watchmaking. It’s a fascinating fusion of concept and construction, where the rose gold case, with its satin brushed and polished finishes, blends seamlessly with the DLC-blackened titanium bezel and case middle. Mounted on a black alligator strap with a 5N rose gold and black PVD titanium folding clasp, the Blast Tourbillon Dragon is a bold statement piece for those who appreciate the extraordinary.
©Photo: Ulysse Nardin
