Ulysse Nardin has continued its quest to make innovative minute repeaters with the unveiling of Blast Hourstriker, a watch with its gong on the dial side and improved acoustics developed in partnership with French audio technology company Devialet.
Advancing chiming mechanisms is part of CEO Patrick Pruniaux’s drive to make watches with futuristic reinterpretations of traditional watchmaking crafts.
Typically, minute repeaters have hammers and a wire gong wrapped around the underside of a movement, which means the sound is partially muffled.
Ulysse Nardin engineers working on a solution to that issue decided to make the chiming mechanism of the Blast Hourstriker visible on the dial, which they claim improves the quality and strength of the chime.
A titanium membrane developed in collaboration with Devialet acts as an analogue amplifier that further improves the sound and projection of the gong.
A brand new in house movement emerged from the exercise, UN-621, which is regulated by a silicon hairspring and flying tourbillon.
The 45mm skeletonised watch has a black DLC titanium and 18ct rose gold case, which is also said to improve acoustics.
It is sold with three straps in leather, rubber or a waterproof velvet for CHF 99,000.
