Blast Hourstriker

Ulysse Nardin takes a characteristically original approach to complications with this chiming watch complete with a flying tourbillon. The sharply angled 45mm case, a combination of black DLC titanium and pink gold, is modelled on the profile of a stealth fighter jet. The main challenges were to move the striking mechanism where it would be visible, on the dial side, and to amplify and improve the quality of the sound. To achieve this, the brand’s watchmakers engineered the complex UN-621 skeleton calibre which allows a view of the gear train as well as the hammers striking the gong, which is shaped to fit around the flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock. This gong, which sounds the hour and half-hour in passing, is connected to a fine membrane, just 3/10th of a millimetre thick, that amplifies the sound waves. The result is an avant-garde watch that is a marvel for the eyes and for the ears.