Ulysse Nardin introduces a new version of the Freak
The Freak [One Navy Blue] is an attractive deep indigo colour version of this avant-garde watch.
Ulysse Nardin, the Le Locle, Switzerland based watch brand, has introduced the Freak [One Navy Blue].
Launched in 2001, the original Freak was a significant moment in high-end Swiss watchmaking. A futuristic design, ahead of its time, and one that challenged traditional mindsets, it proved that a watch does not have to follow the conventional model of individual hands for hours and minutes placed on a dial and set via a crown. It was the first mechanical watch to feature silicon escapement wheels. Silicon is now widely used in watchmaking, including by brands such as Breguet, Omega, Patek Philippe and Rolex. The thinking behind the Freak, along with its avant-garde design and impact on horology, makes it – especially the 2001 original – among the most iconic watches in horology. The Freak is a core collection of Ulysse Nardin, with no less than 15 models in its present catalogue.
Ulysse Nardin Freak from 2001. The Original. (Image credit: Ulysse Nardin website.)
The Freak [One Navy Blue] is a version of the 2001 original. Its attractive deep indigo colour is a tribute to the “brand’s history as creator of the world’s finest marine chronometers and its disruptive force pioneering contemporary watchmaking.”
Key features of the Freak [One Navy Blue]
Movement
Powered by Calibre UN-240, a Manufacture automatic movement designed and developed by Ulysse Nardin.
“The movement’s flying carousel with its silicon balance wheel and escapement are suspended by a bridge that acts as the minute hand; the barrel cover serves as the hour hand.”
Features an oversized oscillator and balance spring made from silicon.
Its escapement wheel and anchor are coated in DiamonSil®, “a patented ultra high-tech form of diamond coated silicon that delivers exceptional precision and durability.”
Features a Grinder® automatic winding system, blades technology.
Parts 229. Jewels 15.
Frequency of 21,600 vph or 3 Hz.
Power reserve 90 hours.
Functions, Dial Side Design, and Operation
Hours and minutes. “It’s movement doubles as its minute hand, while the hour hand is a pointer set on the barrel cover that sits under the movement.”
Dial side (no conventional dial) features black DLC-coated bridges. The arrow-shaped tips of the hour and minute indicators are coated with light grey Super-LumiNova®, emitting blue light in low-light conditions.
Features a blue engraved sunburst pattern on the barrel cover plate.
On the outer flange, the hour-markers are coated with light grey Super-LumiNova®, emitting blue light in low-light conditions.
Setting the time: A lock guard between the lugs at 6 o’clock, (where it mentions “FREAK”), enables “releasing and locking of the bezel.” Once released, the bidirectional bezel is used to set the time. Once time is set, the lock guard is pushed back, locking the bezel, and “preventing involuntary changes of the time.”
Manual Winding: “The setting device is recessed into the case back.” Turning the case back counter anticlockwise (where it mentions “To Wind”) manually winds the watch.
Case
Case is made from black DLC-coated titanium with a satin finish.
Bezel is made from Carbonium®, “a cutting-edge material with exceptional strength-to-lightness properties that is produced using the same carbon fibres found in state-of-the-art aircraft wings and fuselages.”
Diameter 44 mm. Thickness 13.37 mm.
Dial side features a sapphire crystal.
Caseback Side, screwed to the main case, is made from DLC-coated titanium with a satin finish, and features a sapphire crystal.
Water resistance up to 30 metres.
Strap Versions and Buckle
Available in two strap versions:
Blue and black rubber «ballistic» textured strap.
Two tone (blue and grey) rubber strap.
Both straps are made from 30% recycled production waste.
Both straps are attached to a deployant buckle, made from black DLC-coated titanium and black ceramic.
Our Thoughts
The Freak [One Navy Blue] looks cool. Its shade of blue – deep indigo – contrasts well with the black and white accents on dial side, black titanium case, and Carbonium® bezel. In addition to its revolutionary “flying carrousel movement rotating around its own axis” that continues to amaze, the Freak [One Navy Blue] features two other aspects worth boasting about. Carbonium®, the bezel’s material, is used in the aerospace industry, and its rubber straps embrace sustainability. A handsome and versatile watch, perfect for a collector who likes unconventional designs.
Additional Details
Name: Ulysse Nardin Freak [One Navy Blue]
Reference:
2403-500-3A/3A («ballistic» rubber strap)
2403-500-3A/3B (rubber strap)
Warranty: 5 years.
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF): 63,300 (8.1% VAT included) / Great Britan Pounds (GBP): 58,750 (VAT included) / Euro (EUR): 67,500 (21% VAT included) / United States Dollar (USD): 66,800 (VAT included).
Please visit the Ulysse Nardin website and Instagram page for further information.
In Dubai, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons is an Authorised Retailer for the brand.
We featured the Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gumball 3000 in September. Please read here.
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