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Ulysse Nardin unveils a tempting new astronomical watch

• The Blast Moonstruck features five interconnected astronomical indications. • In addition, it displays a high-precision moon phase display and a world time function. • It is powered by a sophisticated automatic movement that features silicon components. • Its multi-layer dial is made from Aventurine. • Its case is a combination of 18K rose gold and black DLC-treated titanium. • It is a limited edition of 20 individually numbered watches.
Kunaal Khemka
July 27, 2026
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Ulysse Nardin Blast [Moonstruck].

What is the new Ulysse Nardin Blast [Moonstruck]?

It is a new interpretation of Ulysse Nardin’s astronomical watch, “created in the spirit of Dr. Ludwig Oechslin’s Trilogy of Time.” A watchmaking genius, Dr. Oechslin is the part brainchild behind the original Freak of 2001, a revolutionary watch without a conventional dial and hands, a rotating or “flying carousel movement” and the first to incorporate silicon components. The Trilogy of Time was a series of three astronomical watches that predated the Freak. The Astrolabium Galileo Galilei was unveiled in 1985, the Planetarium Copernicus in 1988 and the Tellurium Johannes Kepler in 1992. Dr. Oechslin also conceived the first Moonstruck in 2009, seventeen years after the Trilogy of Time was completed.

“While the Trilogy explored the relationship between the Earth, Sun and planets through some of the most sophisticated astronomical wristwatches ever created, the Moonstruck introduced a new way of visualising celestial mechanics, bringing together the Earth, Sun and Moon within a single intuitive display.”

After another seventeen years, the brand has unveiled the new Blast [Moonstruck].

Also Read: Kunaal’s top watch selection from an amazing Watches and Wonders

What are the different astronomical and non-astronomical functions?

Ulysse Nardin Blast [Moonstruck].
Image: “The Blast [Moonstruck] presents astronomical information through a geocentric display architecture, placing the Earth at the centre of the watch and reproducing celestial mechanics as they are observed from our perspective on Earth. At the heart of the display is a three-dimensional representation of the Northern Hemisphere, viewed from the North Pole and engraved on the underside of a domed sapphire structure. Surrounding it, dedicated indications continuously track the apparent positions of the Sun and Moon around the globe. The Sun indication is mounted on a rotating 24-hour world timer disc displaying the 24 principal time zones. Positioned at 12 o’clock, the Sun serves as a natural reference point, allowing time to be read across the world’s 24 time zones. A two-tone day/night indication further enhances legibility by instantly distinguishing daytime from nighttime around the globe. Working in conjunction with the fixed city ring, the display simultaneously visualises global time and the apparent movement of the Sun around the Earth over the course of a day. The Moon indication follows its own orbital path around the globe, displaying both the moon phase and the progression of the lunar month. Engineered to reproduce the lunar cycle with exceptional precision, the moon phase indication deviates by only one day after 40.3 years.”

The interconnected astronomical functions include a high-precision Moon phase display, the days of the lunar month, the tide indication and tidal coefficient, and the real-time orbit of the Moon and position of the Sun around the globe.

The non-astronomical functions include hours and minutes, date, and a world timer with a day and night indication.

Also Read: Ulysse Nardin unveils the Freak [X] New Generation

What are its dial and case features?

Ulysse Nardin Blast [Moonstruck].
Image: Notice the three-dimensional Northern Hemisphere engraved on the sapphire crystal with the days of the month rose gold ring around it. Notice the satin-finished and polished surfaces of the case and the laser-finished facets. The 18K rose gold contrasts well with the black DLC-coated titanium. Incredible details all around.

The dial is made from Aventurine. The three-dimensional Northern Hemisphere is engraved on the sapphire crystal. The rose gold ring circling it is engraved with the days of the month. The Sun is made from Bronzite, a natural crystal and mineral. The hour and minute hands are coated with luminescent material.

The upper case is made from 18K rose gold and the middle case and bezel from black DLC-treated titanium. It measures 45 mm and features a mix of satin-finished and polished surfaces and laser-finished facets. The dial side features a Glass Box sapphire crystal, and the caseback a sapphire crystal. Water resistant is up to 30 metres.

The watch come with a black alligator leather strap fitted with a folding clasp made from black DLC-treated titanium and rose gold.

What are its movement features?

Ulysse Nardin Blast [Moonstruck].
Image: The movement “integrates world time and astronomical indications within a single mechanical architecture.” It features the brand’s patented time setting mechanism, enabling the local time to be set forwards or backwards in 1-hour increments using pushers on the side of the case (pictured top right and bottom right of the case on the image). Adjusting the time does not interfere with the astronomical indications, the fundamental celestial calculations and the minute hand. Winding, time-setting and astronomical indications are set via the crown at 3 o’clock.

It is powered by Manufacture Calibre UN-106, an automatic movement that drives the astronomical and non-astronomical functions. It measures 35.4 mm (diameter), comprises 338 parts and 42 jewels, beats at a modern frequency of 4 Hz or 28,800 vph and delivers a power reserve of 50 hours. The skeletonised automatic winding rotor is made from 22K 5N rose gold.

The movement features both a silicon escapement and a silicon hairspring, both crafted by SIGATECH, the brand’s in-house silicon manufacture. The brand pioneered the use of silicon components in watchmaking, a material that is “lightweight, anti-magnetic and highly resistant to wear, silicon eliminates the need for lubrication on critical components while enhancing precision, durability and long-term reliability.”  

What do we think?

Ulysse Nardin Blast [Moonstruck].
Image: The details and depth of the dial is incredible. “The apparent motion of the Sun, the real-time orbit of the Moon, the moon phase, lunar month and tidal coefficients are not displayed as separate complications, but as interconnected elements of a single astronomical model. The result is a watch capable of translating exceptionally complex celestial calculations into a display that can be understood at a glance. While the astronomical calculations behind the display are exceptionally complex, the information is presented in a remarkably intuitive manner. The wearer can observe the relationship between the Earth, the Sun and the Moon while simultaneously reading local and world time.”

Ulysse Nardin has been on a roll lately. As an independently owned mainstream watch brand, they churn out incredible watches. Last year they unveiled the DIVER [AIR], the lightest mechanical dive watch in the world during Watches and Wonders Geneva. A few months later, they literally let their hair down by unveiling the UR-FREAK during Dubai Watch Week. It was a collaboration with renown independent watchmaker Urwerk. In addition, the brand embraces sustainability by utilising recycled and upcycled materials and partnering with private companies where necessary.

This year they unveiled the Super [Freak] to celebrate the 180th anniversary of the brand and the 25th anniversary of the Freak. According to the brand, it is the most complicated time-only watch ever made. A truly spectacular creation, I was fortunate to handle it in Geneva. The entrance to their booth at the Palexpo (where Watches and Wonders is held) honoured Dr. Ludwig Oechslin with a giant lifelike three-dimensional face of him.

The Blast [Moonstruck] pays respect to both Ulysse Nardin’s and Dr. Oechslin’s legacy, yet is every bit a sophisticated modern watch, one that will delight collectors who enjoy innovative and unique horological complications.

Additional Details

Name: Blast [Moonstruck]

Reference: 1065-400LE-2A-BLACK/1A

Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 94,300 (includes 8.1% tax)

It is a limited edition of 20 individually numbered watches.

Please click here to learn more.

Media Permit No: 0953878
© 2026 The Cornea Impression
Media Permit No: 0953878
© 2026 The Cornea Impression