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 Geplaatst: 15-12-2023 07:48:02 Onderwerp: Ulysse Nardin Blast Hourstriker |
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Ulysse Nardin Blast Hourstriker An ingenious acoustic invention. best luxury watches
The Blast Hourstriker is one of Ulysse Nardin's more understated models, and from a technical perspective it's also one of the brand's most interesting watches. It is equipped with an in-house self-winding tourbillon movement and a striking mechanism on top.
Hidden behind the back is a PA system developed with the help of French high-end speaker manufacturer Devialet, which happens to be run by Nardin, who once controlled the brand of the same name. Nardin family.
The Ulysse Nardin (UN) Hourstriker came to my attention in 2019, when the brand launched the Hourstriker Phantom, the first model to feature the Devialet amplification system. replica watches review
The Devialet system consists of a novel gong fixture and soundboard that could stand alongside inventions found in Patek Philippe's “Advanced Research” minute repeaters. 5750P and the Audemars Piguet Supersonnerie are among the most striking innovations on the market today. The backstory of the Devialet system is surprisingly apt: one of Devialet's co-founders is industrial designer Emmanuel Nardin, a descendant of Ulysse.
The Phantom strike watch was short-lived and was quickly replaced by the Explosion strike watch. Although the Blast Hourstriker is a significantly upgraded watch, most enthusiasts may not be aware of it, probably because it resembles less complex models in the UN catalog.
In the Blast Hourstriker, the Phantom's ETA base is replaced by UN's own automatic movement with a tourbillon. The open dial displays all the striking mechanisms, while the back features the Devialet system's soundboard. high quality cheap watches
Importantly, the Devialet system works. Even in the extra large and heavy Blast case, the chimes are impressive and loud. It is satisfying to watch the movement of the chiming mechanism as the chimes unfold.
While the watch is undeniably impressive technically, the ultra-modern design won't be for everyone, especially with the 45mm case. I like the open dial, which is perfect for this complication, but I prefer the Phantom's classic case, which is also more wear-resistant at 43mm.
time flies
The Blast Hourstriker is a self-sounding watch, a watch that tells the time as time passes. Functionally, it's a bit like a cross between a minute repeater and a grande sonnerie, simpler than both, but capable of chiming on demand as well as automatically when time passes.
Like traditional self-sounding watches, chiming watches are equipped with a separate mainspring and gear train for the striking mechanism. The Blast is therefore a full-fledged hour watch that chimes every hour and every 30 minutes, unlike a simple chime that strikes one note each time. So it will strike 11 notes at 11:00 and one note at 11:30. The chime function can be turned on or off via the push-button at eight o'clock, while the chime sequence can be manually activated via the push-button at ten o'clock. replica watches best
Since the chime strikes the hour on the hour, it shares several key components with the minute repeater (strikes, quarter-hours, minutes), namely the rack and worm gear that "read" the hours and indicate the number of strikes. strike. Based on this information, the hammer at 12 o'clock strikes a gong that surrounds the dial and has a small guide hole in it to accommodate the tourbillon at 6 o'clock.
But the secret weapon of hour-hand watches is the Devialet amplification system. This is a two-part invention, the more obvious component being the soundboard visible on the back.
The back is actually double-layered: the outer 18K rose gold back is perforated to form an "X" that allows sound to be transmitted away from the case.
Beneath the gold backplate is an ultra-thin DLC-coated titanium membrane that acts as a soundboard. Because the membrane is so thin — only 0.3 millimeters or about the width of a human hair — it "provides a large area for deformation...[thereby] moving large amounts of air," according to the United Nations. In other words, it vibrates easily and dramatically, creating sound waves in the air that travel out of the case through the perforations on the outer back.
Double backs are a common idea in innovative and eye-catching watches, with both Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe having versions of the same idea. But the second key part of the Devialet system sets it apart.
It's called a "torsion bar," and it's an assembly with a built-in spring that connects the base of the gong to a membrane on the back. Since the torsion bar is spring-loaded, it creates a constant tension between the gong, itself and the membrane, thus improving the transmission of sound. replica Porsche Design 1919 watches
Self-winding tourbillon
The Blast Hourstriker is powered by the UN-621, an automatic base movement with a striking mechanism on the dial. The base is derived from the UN-128, an automatic movement with a flying tourbillon.
There is no doubt that the UN-128 is a major improvement over the ETA 2892 in the chronograph Phantom and belongs to the historic movement family (originating from the Lemania structure), which includes a series of movements, including a rotor with a power reserve. Flywheel and UN's iconic perpetual calendar movement. calendar.
The base movement is a workhorse with a 60-hour power reserve and runs at 4 Hz. One of its distinguishing features is the simple yet effective “magic lever” self-winding mechanism, which was designed by Seiko in 1959 but is now widely used in the Swiss watchmaking industry.
Although the basic architecture of the movement is twenty years old, the movements have been steadily upgraded by the United Nations and are currently mostly in-house. replica Zenith PILOT Watches
Upgrades include a hairspring, escapement wheel and escapement lever made of silicon, a non-magnetic and easy-to-assemble material that the United Nations uses extensively in its movements. In 2001, the brand was the first to use silicon in its mass-produced Freak watches, which explains why the brand favors this material.
Although the movement is hidden by a double back, it performs in the same manner as other UN products. The décor is comprehensive and clean, but mainly industrial in style, comparable to brands like H. Moser & Cie. or Jaeger-LeCoultre.
However, this conclusion only applies to the base movement. The striking mechanism visible from the front has a higher level of finishing, probably because it is located front and center.
The striking mechanism rests on a DLC-coated plate that is brushed but has polished rounded bevels. The same treatment is applied to the other bridges visible from the front, including the treatment of the self-sounding "on/off" indicator.
The steel components of the chiming mechanism are finished using a more traditional finishing technique - straight grained on top and angled on the edges. All large screw heads have chamfered edges and grooves. However, some of the steel components have recessed centers and are painted black, a design element that matches the overall aesthetic.
The Hourstriker comes in a 45mm case, in the same style as the other watches in the Blast collection. The case features an angular polygonal upper reminiscent of early stealth aircraft, and its highly modern style is a current favorite among watch designers. replica Breitling Superocean Heritage watch
To accommodate the panoramic crystal, the case has no bezel and essentially consists of three parts: a polygonal rose gold upper plate, a DLC-coated titanium middle plate and a rose gold caseback.
The gold parts are well crafted, especially the intricately shaped upper plate. The board consists of a variety of mirror-polished and brushed surfaces, all arranged at different angles and evenly polished.
The delicate shape of the case draws people's attention away from the complex timekeeping device on the dial. I prefer a more traditional and smaller design, but the case is still well executed in terms of finishing and construction.
For some, the size of the case is a consideration, as it will only fit average or larger wrists. This is especially true considering the integrated strap is firmly attached to the case.
The Blast Hourstriker is an interesting and well-made watch from a brand that doesn't get the recognition it deserves. The Devialet system is particularly striking, embodying the high level of innovation that is characteristic of UN, a quality that is also reflected in the silicon components of the movement.
That said, this watch has a polarizing aesthetic thanks to its large size and ultra-modern styling. If for wearability alone, the classic version of this watch is sure to find a wider audience. replica Jacob & Co. ASTRONOMIA SKY
Ulysse Nardin Blast Hourstriker
Ref. 6215-400/02
Diameter: 45mm
Height: None
Material: DLC-coated titanium and 18k rose gold
Mirror: sapphire
Waterproof performance: 30m
Movement: UN-621
Functions: Hours, minutes, tourbillon and striking mechanism
Winding: automatic
Frequency: 28,800 times per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 60 hours
Strap: alligator leather strap with folding buckle |
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