September 23, 2025
The Ulysse Nardin Blast [Free Wheel Marquetry Silicon Green] has arrived with a retail price of $155,000 USD. As a 10-piece, US-exclusive limited edition, it’s a heavyweight contender in the world of haute horlogerie. The central question for any savvy collector is straightforward: does the technical innovation and artistic execution justify the astronomical price tag? Let’s break down the value proposition.
The Verdict: A Breakdown of Pros and Cons
From a purely objective standpoint, the watch offers a compelling, if narrow, set of strengths and weaknesses.
* Pros: The craftsmanship is exceptional. The dial, a mosaic of 103 individual green silicon slivers, is a work of art. This is backed by the technically superb Caliber UN-176 movement, which features a flying tourbillon, a massive seven-day power reserve, and Ulysse Nardin’s pioneering silicon Anchor constant force escapement. The avant-garde design, with components that seem to float, is a guaranteed conversation starter.
* Cons: The $155,000 price is the most significant barrier, placing it in a rarefied category of watchmaking. Its extreme scarcity makes it more of a trophy than an accessible product. Furthermore, with only 30 meters of water resistance, its practicality as a daily timepiece is limited despite the sporty rubber strap.
Positioning in the Market
Ulysse Nardin isn’t competing with traditional luxury watches here. The Blast Free Wheel Marquetry carves its own niche, sitting alongside other avant-garde brands that prioritize material innovation. While competitors may focus on exotic case materials, Ulysse Nardin leverages its historical mastery of silicon from the dial to the escapement. This watch is a statement about material science, making its unique selling proposition its technological soul.
Final Recommendation: Who Should Buy This?
The Ulysse Nardin Blast [Free Wheel Marquetry Silicon Green] is not for the first-time luxury watch buyer. This is a grail piece for the established connoisseur who deeply values horological innovation and material artistry over brand ubiquity. It’s for the collector who sees a watch as kinetic sculpture and wants to own a tangible piece of Ulysse Nardin’s pioneering silicon legacy. If you have the means and prioritize extreme exclusivity and technical prowess, this is a top-tier acquisition. For everyone else, it’s a masterpiece to admire from afar.
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