Ulysse Nardin launches the Freak [ONE OPS] at Dubai Watch Week !

Dubai Watch Week: 16th – 20th November 2023.

Ulysse Nardin (UN) – the Le Locle, Switzerland, based Prestigious Watchmaker – has chosen Dubai Watch Week (DWW) to launch the Freak [One OPS]. The launch of the original Freak in 2001 was an important moment in high-end Swiss watchmaking. A futuristic design, way ahead of its time, it challenged traditional mindsets and proved that a timepiece does not have to follow the conventional model of individual hands for hours and minutes placed on a dial and set via a crown. The Freak [One OPS] receives a camouflage treatment; the ’OPS refers to ‘Operations,’ and is a khaki and black timepiece, with a casual look that conveys adventure.

Design:

Like the Freak timepieces before it, The Freak [One OPS] does not have a dial. In Ulysee Nardin’s own words, ‘its movement doubles as its minute hand, while the hour hand is a pointer set on a rotating disc that sits under the movement.’

While not having a dial, hands, and crown, the Freak was the first mechanical timepiece with silicon escapement wheels. Today, silicon is commonly used by several brands. Over the years, there have been other versions of the Freak, each highly collectible. The thinking, the design of the Freak, along with its avant-garde design and impact on horology, places it – especially the 2001 original – among the most iconic timepieces in history.

Case:

The Freak [One OPS] has a black DLC titanium case, and a Carbonium bezel. Carbonium ‘is a material first used in fine watchmaking by Ulysse Nardin in 2019. It’s produced under very high pressure and at very high temperatures using carbon fibre offcuts from the aviation industry, meaning its environmental impact is 40 per cent lower than other carbon composites.’

There is a green khaki engraved sunray pattern on the barrel cover. The case has a diameter of 44 mm. The timepiece has a water resistance of 30 metres.

The timepiece comes with an integrated two-tone – khaki and black rubber strap, with a black DLC titanium and black ceramic folding buckle. Rubber straps are made of 30% recycled rubber from production waste.

Movement:

The Freak [One OPS] is powered by Ulysse Nardin in-house automatic calibre UN-240 for the hours and minutes. Key features of this calibre include:

– Flying carousel movement rotating around its own axis.

– Silicon oversized oscillator and balance spring DIAMonSIL treatment to escapement.

– Grinder automatic winding system, blades technology.

In Ulysse Nardin’s own words, ‘The movement’s flying carousel with its silicon balance wheel and escapement are suspended by a bridge that acts as the minute hand; a second bridge serves as the hour hand.’

The calibre beats at a frequency of 3 Hz or 21,600 V/H and has a power reserve of 90 hours.

Version:

Reference: 2403-500-8A/3A

CHF 63,000 (VAT Incl.)

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