Ulysse Nardin reimagined their Moonstruck, a fascinating complicated astronomical watch from 2009, as the new Blast Moonstruck in black DLC titanium and rose gold.
Press Release information with commentary in italics.
New: Ulysse Nardin Blast Moonstruck in Black DLC titanium and Rose Gold
The Ulysse Nardin Blast Moonstruck Ref. 1065-400LE-2A-BLACK/1A retails at CHF 94,300 (including 8% Swiss VAT). Limited Edition of 20 pieces.
Commentary
At first glance, especially when compared to the first Moonstruck released in 2009 (we covered one version of it in 2017), the re-imagination of this novelty is in the case. But not even the insertion of the Moonstruck into the Blast case is new. It was first done by UN in 2022 in black ceramic & black DLC titanium Blast case. The Blast case is an angular, faceted case design first released in 2021. Thus, in essence, today’s novelty is thus just a re-release of the 2021 Blast Moonstruck in a different case, now in black DLC titanium and rose gold case.
Of course, as this is just a new case elaboration, the dial elements which are very advanced to be able to show 5 astronomical indications in a very easy to interpret way remains unchanged. Details on how this works is found in the text extracted from the Press Release below. The dial is absolutely beautiful and still as fascinating 18 years after its introduction.
The movement remains the same UN-106 automatic winding caliber used in the 2009 watch. Admittedly, it was a very advanced movement, featuring not only silicon escapement (a UN technology with partners first released in the Freak of 2001) but also a patented time setting mechanism allowing local time to be adjusted in 1 hour steps forwards and backwards. We first saw this in the Dual Time was released in 1994. In this caliber, all astronomical settings are adjusted with the crown.
Pricing wise, the novelty’s CHF 94.3k compares favourably with the estimate of approx. CHF 82k (for the RG model) in 2017. The 2022 Blast Moonstruck black ceramic and black DLC titanium had a retail of CHF 75k.
Release information
At Ulysse Nardin, we think differently and we believe that progress happens when we explore beyond what is possible. Since 1846, we have advanced watchmaking through pioneering technology and unmatched craftsmanship.
Astronomical indications had long formed part of Ulysse Nardin’s watchmaking heritage, from nineteenth-century moon phase watches to calendar timepieces developed for scientific observation and maritime navigation. Yet it was in 1983, shortly after entrepreneur Rolf Schnyder acquired the Manufacture and set it on a bold path of innovation, that a new era of astronomical watchmaking began.That same year, he encountered Dr. Ludwig Oechslin, the brilliant watchmaker, astronomer and mathematician who would become one of the most influential figures in modern horology.
While visiting master watchmaker Jörg Spöring in Lucerne, Schnyder discovered an extraordinary astronomical clock created by the young Oechslin. Fascinated by both the complexity of the mechanism and the intellect behind it, he challenged Oechslin to create an astronomical instrument that could be worn on the wrist.
The project pushed the boundaries of what could be achieved within the confines of a wristwatch. Just two years later, Oechslin unveiled his answer: the Astrolabium Galileo Galilei.
Introduced in 1985 and recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s first astronomical wristwatch, it was followed by the Planetarium Copernicus and the Tellurium Johannes Kepler, together forming the legendary Trilogy of Time. These creations established Ulysse Nardin as a pioneer of astronomical watchmaking and demonstrated Oechslin’s unique ability to transform complex celestial calculations into remarkably intuitive displays.
Seventeen years after the completion of the Trilogy of Time, in 2009, Ulysse Nardin unveiled the first Moonstruck, a new astronomical timepiece conceived by Dr. Ludwig Oechslin and carrying the unmistakable DNA of his celestial vision. 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.
Today, Ulysse Nardin continues this legacy with the new Blast Moonstruck in rose gold, a limited edition of 20 pieces, one of the Manufacture’s most sophisticated astronomical complications.
THE FEATURES : FIVE ASTRONOMICAL INDICATIONS. ONE INTUITIVE DISPLAY
The Blast Moonstruck embodies one of Ludwig Oechslin’s fundamental principles: complexity should remain in the movement, not in the reading of the watch. Throughout his career, Oechslin sought to present sophisticated astronomical information in the simplest and most intuitive way possible, transforming complex celestial mechanics into displays that can be understood at a glance.
The Moonstruck was conceived according to that philosophy. Driven by the Manufacture calibre UN-106, the Blast Moonstruck brings together five astronomical indications within a single coherent display:
- HIGH PRECISION MOONPHASE INDICATION (TO BE SET EVERY 40.3 YEARS)
- DAYS OF THE LUNAR MONTH
- TIDAL COEFFICIENTS
- WORLDTIMER
- POSITIONS OF THE SUN AND MOON
- AROUND THE GLOBE
Rather than presenting a series of independent indications, the Blast Moonstruck displays a coherent astronomical system in which each function is directly linked to the others through the relative positions of the Earth, Sun and Moon.
The apparent motion of the Sun, the real-time orbit of the Moon, the moonphase, 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.
HOW IT WORKS : A GEOCENTRIC VIEW OF THE WORLD
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 worldtimer 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 moonphase and the progression of the lunar month. Engineered to reproduce the lunar cycle with exceptional precision, the moonphase indication deviates by only one day after 40.3 years.
In keeping with Ludwig Oechslin’s relentless pursuit of astronomical accuracy, the Blast Moonstruck reproduces one of his most distinctive innovations: the illuminated portion of the Moon continuously faces the Sun, exactly as it does in nature. Rather than relying on a conventional moonphase display, the watch faithfully recreates the true geometry of the Earth-Moon-Sun system, ensuring that the moonphase remains correctly oriented at all times.
The relationship between the Sun and Moon also drives the tidal coefficient indication, visualising the effects of celestial mechanics on the Earth’s oceans. Through the relative positions of the Sun and Moon, the wearer can identify periods associated with spring and neap tides and anticipate the strength of tidal activity around the globe. This indication reflects the Manufacture’s long-standing connection to marine navigation.
THE CALIBRE: ENGINEERED FOR PRECISION
Powering the Blast Moonstruck is the manufacture calibre UN-106, an automatic movement developed and produced by Ulysse Nardin. Composed of 338 components and 42 jewels, the calibre integrates world time and astronomical indications within a single mechanical architecture.
The movement incorporates both a silicon escapement and a silicon hairspring, technologies pioneered by Ulysse Nardin and first introduced to modern watchmaking with the Freak in 2001.
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. These silicon components are produced in-house by SIGATEC, Ulysse Nardin’s silicon manufacture. More than two decades after its introduction, silicon remains a cornerstone of Ulysse Nardin’s approach to innovative watchmaking.
The calibre also incorporates Ulysse Nardin’s patented time setting mechanism, allowing local time to be adjusted forwards or backwards in one-hour increments via dedicated pushers integrated into the side of the case. These corrections can be performed independently without affecting the astronomical indications, the underlying celestial calculations or the position of the minute hand.
Astronomical settings can be adjusted directly via the crown, allowing the wearer to synchronise the watch with ease. To further simplify ownership, Ulysse Nardin provides dedicated digital instructions guiding the wearer through each step of the setting procedure.
Operating at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) and delivering a power reserve of 50 hours, the UN-106 combines advanced astronomical functionality with everyday practicality.
THE ARCHITECTURE
Introduced as the expression of Ulysse Nardin’s most innovative watchmaking, the Blast collection provides a contemporary stage for the Moonstruck’s sophisticated astronomical display. Its bold architecture, layered construction and geometric lines enhance both the technical character of the watch and the three-dimensional nature of its indications.
Housed in a 45 mm case, this limited edition combines a rose gold upper case with a black DLC-treated titanium case middle and bezel. The upper case features a combination of satin-finished and polished surfaces, accentuated by laser-finished facets that catch the light from every angle. This interplay of finishes enhances the architectural character of the watch while reinforcing the contrast between precious metal and technical materials. At the centre of the design is a sapphire glass box developed to accommodate the Moonstruck’s unique geocentric architecture.
Engraved on the underside of the domed sapphire structure, the Northern Hemisphere appears suspended above the dial, creating a striking three-dimensional representation of the Earth.
Beneath the suspended representation of the Earth lies an aventurine dial, who’s naturally shimmering surface recalls a star-filled sky. The material provides a striking backdrop for the Moonstruck’s astronomical indications, enhancing both the depth and visual impact of the display. Encircling the dial, a rose gold ring engraved with the days of the month introduces an additional layer of information while reinforcing the watch’s architectural construction. The interplay of materials, colours and relief contributes to the uniquely three-dimensional character of the Moonstruck.
Produced in a limited edition of 20 pieces, the Blast Moonstruck in rose gold combines one of Ulysse Nardin’s most intricate astronomical creations with a bold contemporary architecture, bringing together celestial timekeeping, technical innovation and modern watchmaking.
Ulysse Nardin Blast Moonstruck Technical Specifications
REFERENCE 1065-400LE-2A-BLACK/1A
MOVEMENT UN-106 Manufacture caliber * Automatic winding
FUNCTIONS Hours, minutes, date with quick setting function forward and backward * Moon phase indication * Days of lunar month * Tide indication and tidal coefficient * Worldtimer with day/night indication * Positions of the Sun and Moon around the globe * 338 components / 42 jewels * Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour)
POWER RESERVE 50 hours
CASE 18 ct rose gold upper case * black DLC-treated titanium case middle and bezel * Sapphire glass box
DIAMETER 45mm
CASE BACK Open case-back with sapphire crystal * Black DLC-treated titanium * 5N rose gold oscillating weight * Aventurine dial
DIAL Bronzite Sun indication * Rose gold ring engraved with the days of the month * Three-dimensional Northern Hemisphere engraved on sapphire crystal
STRAP Black alligator strap * Folding clasp * Black DLC-treated titanium and rose gold
WATER RESISTANCE 30m
Limited Edition 20 pieces
