EGN NEWS DESK
To commemorate the Lunar New Year, Ulysse Nardin has ingeniously intertwined the traditional attract of Chinese folklore into this cutting-edge timepiece, marrying the majestic imagery of the Dragon with the symbolic purity of the Pearl. In conventional Chinese tradition, the 12 months 2024 heralds the auspicious Year of the Dragon, a creature revered for its may, energy, and the promise of excellent fortune. Dragons are sometimes depicted alongside pearls, which symbolize purity, knowledge, and wealth, making a potent emblem of energy, windfall, and prosperity.
This intricate cultural narrative is dropped at life within the Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon Dragon. A meticulously hand-sculpted dragon in 5N rose gold weaves its approach via the skeletonized X construction, rising as if from the motion itself. Clutching the legendary pearl between its five-clawed arms atop the flying tourbillon’s cage, the dragon symbolizes imperial energy and status, with five-clawed dragons traditionally representing the zenith of energy and authority.
Reflecting on the previous, Ulysse Nardin’s enterprise into the dragon theme isn’t new. In 2012, the final Year of the Dragon, the model unveiled the Classico Enamel Champlevé Dragon, restricted to 88 items, showcasing beautiful dragon paintings in enamel. Fast ahead to 2024, and the dragon as soon as once more takes middle stage, this time in a dynamic three-dimensional kind that challenges the boundaries of conventional watch design and craftsmanship.
Crafting the Blast Tourbillon Dragon required overcoming important technical and creative hurdles. The improvement course of spanned over two years, involving intricate design modifications to the Blast Tourbillon’s case, bezel, and crystal to accommodate the spectacular three-dimensional dragon. The creation of this rose gold dragon, with its detailed engraving and micro-painting, demanded an distinctive stage of artistry, requiring 4 days of meticulous work – three for engraving and one for making use of the gradated shades of pink, orange, and yellow that carry the legendary creature to life with breathtaking element.
The Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon’s motion, the Calibre UN-172, represents a marvel of contemporary horology. Launched in 2020 as Ulysse Nardin’s first skeleton tourbillon calibre with computerized winding, it encompasses a platinum micro-rotor at 12 o’clock, guaranteeing as much as three days of energy reserve. The incorporation of silicon elements within the escapement wheel, pallet fork, and stability spring—a cloth first utilized by Ulysse Nardin within the revolutionary Freak in 2001—underscores the model’s ongoing dedication to leveraging cutting-edge supplies for enhanced efficiency and sturdiness.
The Blast Tourbillon Dragon’s design is a harmonious fusion of historical mythology and modern horological science. The higher case, crafted in rose gold with a mixture of satin-brushed and polished finishes, contrasts strikingly with the DLC-blackened titanium of the bezel and case center. This majestic ensemble is accomplished with an built-in black alligator strap, secured with a 5N rose gold and black PVD titanium folding clasp.
