Ulysse Nardin has built its reputation on pushing horological boundaries, and the new Blast Free Wheel Maillechort proves that innovation doesn’t require abandoning elegance.
This latest creation transforms the brand’s award-winning tourbillon technology into a mesmerizing display of floating mechanical components, where traditional dial architecture gives way to a suspended constellation of high-tech materials and ancient metallurgy.
Classical Alloy Craftsmanship
The Blast Free Wheel Maillechort represents the evolution of Ulysse Nardin’s groundbreaking 2015 GPHG Tourbillon Prize-winning movement, now refined into a visual spectacle that challenges conventional dial design.
The most striking feature lies in the open-dial architecture, where mechanical components appear to float independently above the base, creating an illusion of weightlessness that perfectly complements the tourbillon’s hypnotic rotation.
This ethereal aesthetic begins with the Maillechort dial, crafted from a traditional alloy combining copper, zinc, and nickel to produce a warm silvery surface that provides subtle contrast against the white gold case. Maillechort, historically prized by instrument makers for its durability and workability, offers both visual sophistication and practical advantages in watchmaking applications.
The 45mm white gold case features Ulysse Nardin’s signature inward-faceted angles, creating dramatic light play across the satin-finished and polished surfaces. At 12.4mm thick, the substantial proportions accommodate the complex movement architecture while the domed sapphire crystal—visible through the case sides—creates an immersive viewing experience that draws the eye into the mechanical theater below.
The absence of traditional indices forces attention toward the movement’s technical details, including the unusually positioned power reserve indicator at 4:30 and the decorated winding wheel for the keyless works. These elements become decorative features in their own right, transforming functional components into artistic statements.
Traditional Escapement Design
At the heart of this horological spectacle lies Ulysse Nardin’s revolutionary “Ulysse anchor” constant force escapement, a testament to the brand’s pioneering work with silicon components. The escapement features a circular frame with a centrally-fixed pallet fork, suspended in space by two perpendicular blade springs that curve under bending force to maintain precise positioning.
This silicon construction, where Ulysse Nardin served as an early adopter in watchmaking applications, dramatically reduces the need for traditional jeweling while improving long-term stability and resistance to magnetic fields. The escapement wheel, anchor, and balance spring all benefit from silicon’s superior properties, including immunity to temperature variations and corrosion resistance that ensures consistent performance over decades.
The manual-winding UN-176 Manufacture caliber operates at 2.5Hz with an impressive seven-day power reserve, stored in dual barrels that provide consistent torque throughout the extended running period. Despite the complex escapement design, the movement requires only 23 jewels—a testament to silicon’s friction-reducing properties and the efficiency of the overall architecture.
The 30-meter water resistance acknowledges this timepiece’s artistic rather than sporting intentions, while the waterproof blue velvet-effect rubber strap with white gold deployant buckle provides luxury comfort for extended wear. Super-LumiNova coating on the grey hands ensures legibility in low light conditions, though this watch clearly prioritizes visual drama over utilitarian concerns.
Limited to just 50 pieces worldwide and priced at $126,600, the Blast Free Wheel Maillechort occupies rarified air in haute horlogerie, offering collectors the opportunity to own a piece of Ulysse Nardin’s ongoing technical evolution while showcasing the mesmerizing beauty of mechanical timekeeping at its most sophisticated.
