The BLAST [Free Wheel Maillechort] is Ulysse Nardin’s boldest creation yet

Ulysse Nardin has just revealed one of its most spectacular horological feats to date: the BLAST [Free Wheel Maillechort].

A limited edition of just 50 pieces, this technical marvel blends visual wizardry with mechanical mastery, featuring a gravity-defying dial that seems to suspend time itself.

At first glance, the BLAST [Free Wheel Maillechort] looks like a concept watch (nothing like any of the entries in our best watch list). Under a sculpted sapphire glass box – cut from a single block – its dial floats in three-dimensional space, revealing a cluster of flying components that appear to hover without support.

There’s no dial clutter, no traditional bridges, just pure watchmaking innovation.

Powering it all is the UN-176 calibre – a fully in-house movement anchored by the groundbreaking Ulysse Anchor Constant Escapement.

First introduced in 2015 and still one of the few of its kind, this silicon-based system delivers a consistent force to the balance wheel, ensuring accuracy throughout its seven-day power reserve. That’s fuelled by a double-barrel system at 12 o’clock, one of which spins in full view, while its twin works behind the scenes.

The tourbillon at 6 o’clock is the real showstopper. Suspended on hair-thin silicon blade springs, it looks like it’s levitating. It’s a real feat of micro-engineering that took two years to perfect and earned Ulysse Nardin the coveted Tourbillon Prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.

The Maillechort dial – an alloy of copper, zinc, and nickel – brings a warm metallic sheen and will age beautifully over time, adding personal character to each of the 50 watches.

Even the case, a bold 45mm slab of white gold with sharp, sculpted angles, has been laser-etched for a futuristic aesthetic that contrasts with the heritage of its materials.

The BLAST is finished with a blue velvet rubber strap and a white gold deployant buckle, and is priced at US$126,600 / £111,380. You can register your interest now on Ulysse Nardin’s website.

Liked this? The Seiko Speedtimer has gone purple for the Tokyo World Athletics Championships

Spencer Hart Buying Guide Editor

About

As Buying Guide Editor, Spencer is responsible for all e-commerce content on Stuff, overseeing buying guides as well as covering deals and new product launches. Spencer has been writing about consumer tech for over eight years. He has worked on some of the biggest publications in the UK, where he covered everything from the emergence of smartwatches to the arrival of self-driving cars. During this time, Spencer has become a seasoned traveller, racking up air miles while travelling around the world reviewing cars, attending product launches, and covering every trade show known to man, from Baselworld and Geneva Motor Show to CES and MWC. While tech remains one of his biggest passions, Spencer also enjoys getting hands-on with the latest luxury watches, trying out new grooming kit, and road-testing all kinds of vehicles, from electric scooters to supercars.

Areas of expertise

Watches, travel, grooming, transport, tech