Noble tower of colour - Ulysse Nardin presents the "Blast Sparkling Rainbow"

Noble tower of colour - Ulysse Nardin presents the "Blast Sparkling Rainbow"

The name doesn't promise too much. Five years ago, the "Blast" collection – English for storm – was launched, sweeping away the prevailing conventions of watch design and replacing them with compact, angular outlines and an omnipresent X.

The “Blast” is inspired by the look of a stealth aircraft, which cannot be detected by radar or radio thanks to irregular edges and integrated triangular surfaces.

In watch form, such a thing can also appear cheerful and colorful, as the "Blast Sparkling Rainbow" demonstrates. Added to this is the soothing symmetry of the visible micro-rotor at 12 o'clock and the tourbillon at 6 o'clock, which is simultaneously resolved by the asymmetry of the gear train at 9 o'clock and the winding and setting mechanism at 3 o'clock. This watch, limited to eight pieces, doesn't radiate tranquility, but rather energy and a provocative aesthetic.

The “Blast Sparkling Rainbow” goes a design step further than its predecessors with 211 invisibly set, multi-colored sapphires and is arguably one of the most spectacular watches ever to leave the Ulysse Nardin workshops in Le Locle.

A whopping 13.33 carats of precious stones adorn the case, bezel, crown, dial, and folding clasp. The sapphires are carefully selected and set, creating a variety of exciting color gradients. This magnificent watch is held in a stately 45-millimeter white gold case with an integrated white rubber strap.

With all the sparkle, Ulysse Nardin hasn't neglected its true purpose as a watch. The skeletonized UN-172 in-house movement with a flying tourbillon, automatic winding, a platinum micro-rotor, and a silicon escapement and balance spring ensure precision with a 72-hour power reserve.

Such daring goldsmith and watchmaking craftsmanship comes at a price: €482,000 RRP.