Ulysse Nardin returns to its revolutionary Blast collection with the extraordinary Blast [Sparkling Rainbow]—a radiant expression of technical audacity and artisanal brilliance. Limited to just eight pieces worldwide, this spectacular timepiece transforms the avant-garde Blast silhouette into a high-jewellery marvel, merging the brand’s legacy of watchmaking innovation with the visual theatre of invisibly set sapphires.
Building on the stealth-inspired architecture that first defined the Blast in 2020, the Sparkling Rainbow edition takes things further—adorned with 211 rainbow-coloured sapphires meticulously invisibly set into the white gold case, dial, bezel, crown, clasp, and buckle. Totalling 13.33 carats, the gemstones are selected and cut to perfection, forming a seamless 360-degree spectrum that radiates brilliance with every glance. The sapphires are not merely decorative—they are a testament to the Maison’s deep respect for métiers d’art and centuries-old craftsmanship.
At the heart of this spectacle lies the in-house calibre UN-172, a skeletonised manufacture movement with a self-winding flying tourbillon and platinum micro-rotor visible at 12 o’clock. The movement incorporates Ulysse Nardin’s pioneering silicon escapement and hairspring, offering a 72-hour power reserve. Every element—from the visible mechanical layers to the seamless gemstone setting—underscores the maison’s reputation for innovation at the intersection of form and function.
The “mystery setting” technique used to mount the sapphires is one of the rarest and most demanding in jewellery craftsmanship. Each gem is held from beneath, without visible prongs or gold framing, creating the illusion that the stones float effortlessly across the surface. Achieving this requires 85 unique stone cuts and up to four weeks of handwork by master artisans, affirming the exclusivity and extreme precision of this limited creation.
Complementing the 45mm white gold case is an integrated white rubber strap with a white gold deployant buckle—also adorned with invisibly set sapphires. The combination of radical materials, skeletonised design, and jewelled opulence makes the Blast [Sparkling Rainbow] not just a watch, but a wearable sculpture—one that dazzles while upholding the rigorous standards of haute horlogerie.
For Ulysse Nardin, this piece represents more than embellishment—it is a bold continuation of a disruptive legacy that began with the Freak and continues to reshape the future of contemporary watchmaking. With just eight pieces available worldwide, the Blast [Sparkling Rainbow] is an audacious celebration of craftsmanship, colour, and complexity, destined for collectors who seek rarity, artistry, and unrestrained brilliance.
