Ulysse Nardin unveils the Blast Free Wheel Maillechort with floating display. The Ulysse Nardin Blast Free Wheel Maillechort is priced at CHF 120,000
Ulysse Nardin continues to explore original ways of combining visual design with mechanical innovation in modern watchmaking.
Its latest creation, the Blast Free Wheel Maillechort, stands out for both its distinctive aesthetics and its technically advanced construction.
At the heart of this model is a fascinating complication with an architectural layout that creates the illusion of floating components. Traditional dial structures have been removed in favour of an open display, where the mechanical elements appear to levitate beneath a highly transparent sapphire crystal glass box.
The 45 mm by 12.4 mm white gold case features a combination of satin-brushed and polished surfaces, complemented by an ultra-transparent sapphire box that provides unobstructed visibility from multiple angles, including the sides.
Inside, the hand-wound Calibre UN-176 operates at a frequency of 2.5 Hz (18,000 vibrations per hour) and comprises 246 components. It took Ulysse Nardin’s technical department two years of research and development to bring this complex movement to life.
One of the key innovations is the floating double-barrel system at 12 o’clock, seemingly suspended without visible attachments. One barrel is fully exposed, while the second operates hidden from view.
Precision ball bearings keep the system perfectly aligned. It provides an impressive power reserve of seven days, shown via a highly original display at 4 o’clock. Here, the indicator remains static while the rotating disc changes. Three visible bands indicate a full wind, while one band shows the power is nearly depleted.
At 6 o’clock, a flying tourbillon is equipped with Ulysse Nardin’s proprietary Anchor Constant Escapement, a technical achievement introduced in 2015 that earned the brand the Tourbillon Watch Prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève that same year.
Composed of 45 components, the tourbillon includes an innovative constant-force escapement that ensures consistent power delivery, reduces energy loss, and improves chronometric precision.
Unlike a traditional anchor escapement, this mechanism features a circular frame with a fixed pallet fork held by two ultra-thin silicon blade springs. Each spring is thinner than a human hair and set at a right angle, creating controlled tension. This design guarantees a steady impulse to the balance wheel regardless of the remaining energy in the mainspring.
Thanks to silicon technology, traditional components such as jewels and the anchor pivot are no longer necessary.
Several additional flying mechanisms are displayed on either side of the barrel. On the left are an intermediate wheel, a power reserve differential, and a reduction gear. On the right is the winding mechanism, connecting to the crown’s winding stem and allowing selection between winding and time-setting modes.
The dial is crafted from maillechort, a traditional alloy of copper, zinc, and nickel.
Known for its warm matte finish and fine texture, maillechort is more challenging to manufacture than brass due to its hardness and complex composition. It was originally developed in the early 19th century by French engineers Maillet and Chorier, whose combined names formed the term "Maillechort". The material develops a unique patina over time, adding richness and character to the dial.
The Ulysse Nardin Blast Free Wheel Maillechort is paired with a blue velvet-effect rubber strap and is produced in a limited edition of 50 pieces. It is priced at CHF 120,000 / €128,100.
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