For nearly 200 years, Ulysse Nardin—an independent and fully integrated Swiss watchmaker—has continuously reimagined mechanical horology. Relentless in its innovation, the brand finds ever more surprising ways to capture time in a portable, mesmerizing form. Its philosophy is simple yet daring: only by striving for the impossible can the extraordinary be achieved.

The Blast collection once again embodied the fusion of avant-garde aesthetics and forward-thinking engineering, reinforcing Ulysse Nardin’s status as a visionary of the exceptional and the unprecedented. With a dramatic design inspired by the silhouette of stealth aircraft and an intricately skeletonised movement, Blast was a powerful, unconventional timepiece that echoed centuries of watchmaking excellence and exploration.

True to its trailblazing legacy, Ulysse Nardin equipped the Blast with a movement built on silicon-based watchmaking—technology it first pioneered in 2001 through the revolutionary Freak model. The timepiece showcased perfect visual harmony: a micro-rotor positioned at 12 o’clock, a tourbillon at 6, and the winding and setting mechanism at 3. Integrating calibre and case into one unified design, the Blast delivered both mystique and theatrical allure—a hallmark of the brand’s identity.

Now, Ulysse Nardin revisits the Blast with a radiant new creation: a highly exclusive eight-piece limited edition invisibly set with rainbow-colored sapphires. Aptly named the Blast [Sparkling Rainbow], this bold reimagination draws upon the Maison’s mastery of traditional métiers d’art and high-complication craftsmanship.

The watch dazzles with 211 invisibly set sapphires—together totaling 13.33 carats—adorned across its case, bezel, crown, dial, and clasp. This explosion of color elevates the iconic Blast beyond haute horlogerie and into the realm of high jewelry artistry.

Housed in a 45 mm white gold case and paired with a sleek white rubber strap, the Sparkling Rainbow is powered by the UN-172 manufacture skeleton movement. This self-winding calibre features a flying tourbillon, platinum micro-rotor at 12 o’clock, silicon escapement and hairspring, and a generous 72-hour power reserve—a bold mechanical heart beating inside a gem-set marvel.

Staying true to Ulysse Nardin’s unwavering commitment to excellence, the sapphires adorning the Blast [Sparkling Rainbow] were meticulously chosen to form a flawlessly fluid gradient. Each gem flows effortlessly into the next, circling the watch’s case, bezel, crown, and dial in a full 360-degree sweep of vibrant elegance.

This seamless rainbow illusion—appearing so natural to the eye—is in fact the result of a rigorous and disciplined search for precisely the right stones. Despite their seemingly organic placement, the sapphires follow an intricate aesthetic order, crafted with 85 distinct, individually cut shapes to evoke an artful sense of spontaneity.

Every sapphire is invisibly set by hand using the elusive “mystery setting” technique—a highly specialized form of craftsmanship that renders the gems weightless, as though suspended in mid-air. A concealed underlay supports each stone, eliminating all visible traces of the white gold beneath while enhancing the refraction of light for extraordinary brilliance.

This complex setting demands the utmost precision and is executed exclusively by a select few artisans with rare expertise. Each watch requires no less than four weeks of devoted work to complete this radiant, handcrafted mosaic.

The Blast [Sparkling Rainbow] is more than a visual statement—it is a masterclass in savoir-faire and a testament to Ulysse Nardin’s reverence for métiers d’art. With its fusion of high jewelry and modern horology, the watch stands as yet another bold chapter in the brand’s ever-evolving narrative of innovation and style.