Ulysse Nardin celebrates Geneva Watch Days with two new versions of its Lady Diver 39mm and a Blast Tourbillon 45mm.
Always a pioneer, in 2001 the brand was the first watchmaker to introduce a timepiece with silicium escapement components – and the Freak was born, alongside contemporary watchmaking.
Since then, Ulysse Nardin has incorporated this metalloid into several of its movements, including the Blast Tourbillon’s caliber UN-172 and the Lady Driver’s caliber UN-816.
Inspired by the colors of the material, the bezels of these two new models are adorned with purple, green, blue or pink gemstones that sparkle in the sunlight for a “rainbow” effect.
Blast Rainbow
The skeleton “X” dial’s complex and geometric forms on this imposing 45mm timepiece with a micro-rotor in platinum placed at 12 o’clock simply blow-up traditional watch design.
To soften the look, a total of 50 rubies and sapphire baguette gemstones adorn the bezel and the indexes of this Blast Rainbow.
Water resistant to 50 meters and driven by an automatic flying tourbillon, the Blast is powered by the UN-172 caliber movement with Silicium technology (escapement wheel, anchor & balance spring) enclosed in a black DLC titanium case and sealed with a black ceramic polished and sandblasted upper case.
This limited edition of 50 timepieces promises 72 hours of power reserve and comes with a waterproof velvet rubber strap or a black alligator strap, together with a black DLC titanium and black ceramic self-deploying buckle, at a price of 85’000 CHF.
Lady Diver Rainbow
The new Lady Diver Rainbow – in black or white – is the next generation of the 2019 Lady Diver but with decorative touches.
Forty stones (ruby, aquamarine, topaz, tsavorite and sapphire) are set on the concave unidirectional bezel of this new watch, catching the light no matter how deep the dive.
Eleven diamonds serving as indexes increase the scintillating effect of the watch and bring a touch of elegance to the diving watch.
The 39mm Lady Diver Rainbow, water resistant to 300 meters, is the incarnation of a utilitarian timepiece designed to reach the depths of the world’s oceans.
The UN-816 automatic movement with Silicium technology is the beating heart of each Diver watch, keeping track of the hours, minutes, seconds, and date.
Both white and black Lady Diver Rainbow models come in a limited edition of 300 timepieces each on a white or black structured rubber strap, at a price of 12’900 CHF.
The Silicium Revolution
Since the early 2000s, silicium has become the most promising material for watchmaking, according to Ulysse Nardin.
Anthracite with bluish metallic reflections in its raw state, the silicium has exceptional properties: totally non-magnetic, it is light and elastic without ever deforming.
Its high resistance to corrosion and its durability do not alter with time. It requires no lubrication thanks to a silicium dioxide layer that hardens and stabilizes the parts and makes them insensitive to thermal variations.
Therefore, Ulysse Nardin uses silicium to manufacture the regulating organs of all its timepieces, including the balance spring.
