Ulysse Nardin unveils the thrilling new [Super] Freak

It is the most complicated time-only watch ever made. We had a close look at it during Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026.

April 25, 2026

What is the Ulysse Nardin [Super] Freak?

For Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026, Ulysse Nardin has unveiled the [Super] Freak. It celebrates 180 years of the brand and 25 years of the revolutionary Freak of 2001, a futuristic design that challenged traditional mindsets.

Ulysse Nardin Freak of 2001. — Image: The original Freak of 2001. An avant-garde design and much ahead of its time, its impact on horology makes it among the most iconic watches of all time. (Image credit: UN website.)

The Freak proved that a watch does not have to follow horological convention of individual hands for hours and minutes and set via a crown. It was the first mechanical watch to incorporate silicon escapement wheels; a material now widely used in watchmaking. The Freak spawned an entire collection in the brand’s catalogue, including wide ranging collaborations such as the Freak [X Gumball 3000] Edition 2 and UR-FREAK (with URWERK).

The new [Super] Freak takes the concept of the 2001 original into entirely new horological territory and “stands as the pinnacle of the Freak collection.” It is a limited edition of 50 pieces.

What are the [Super] Freak’s key technical highlights?

“The most complicated time-only watch ever created.

4 years in the making.

The world’s first automatic double tourbillon, also a carousel.

Patented Grinder^®winding system, the industry’s most efficient.

Introduction of a seconds display in a Freak.

Built on 35 patented inventions, introduced in the Freak since 2001.

Integrates 8 patents, including one newly filed exclusively for the [Super] Freak (gimbal system).

World’s smallest gimbal system (patented).

World’s smallest vertical differential.

In-house silicon and DIAMonSIL technology (patented), for unmatched performance and durability.

More than 97% of the movement is in motion.

Over 70% of the movement is hand-finished.

Totalling 511 components, all assembled by a single grandes complications watchmaker.

60 hours of manual assembly.”

What are its dial features?

Not in the conventional sense. However, it features an hour disc in transparent blue which rotates once every 12 hours to display the hours. It is crafted from Nanosital® and accented with white Super-LumiNova. The arrow-shaped hours and minutes indicators are coated with white Super-LumiNova.

“Nanosital is an optically transparent polycrystalline material engineered through the controlled crystallization of glass, delivering exceptional purity with a distinctly high-tech character.”

What are its movement features?

It is powered by UN-252, a manufacture automatic movement that drives the hours, minutes and seconds. It is a “flying carousel movement rotating around its own axis.” It measures 42.15 mm (diameter) and comprises of 511 parts and 42 jewels.

It features two 10°-inclined flying tourbillons, two silicon balance wheels and springs, and two DIAMonSIL escapements. As such, it beats at a frequency of 2 * 2.5 Hz or 18,000 vph and has a power reserve of 72 hours. In addition, it also features a vertical differential with ball bearings, patented gimbal system and patented Grinder automatic winding system featuring blades technology.

What are its case and strap features?

The case, bezel, locker (6 o’clock) and caseback are made from white gold. It measures 44 mm (diameter) * 12.2 mm (perceived height) / 16.54 mm (overall height). Front side and caseback feature sapphire crystals. Water resistant up to 30 metres.

The watch comes with a grey rubber ballistic strap with white stiches fitted to a deployant buckle made from white gold.

What do we think?

The [Super] Freak was among the most impressive new launches at Watches and Wonders Geneva and among my favourites. A highly technical watch, to my eyes the mechanism evoked the complex transmission of an ultra-supercar (think Bugatti or Koenigsegg); something Mr. Jean-Christophe Sabatier, Chief Product Officer of Ulysse Nardin agreed to, when I mentioned this to him during the presentation. He also mentioned an anecdote shared by one of the brand’s watchmakers: that crafting the [Super] Freak is like building a fighter jet; one mistake and you must start all over. The presentation was part video interviews, notably that of Dr. Ludwig Oechslin, a watchmaking genius and part brainchild behind the original Freak of 2021, part watch presentation, and part math class, as the formula for the watch was shared and explained!

The [Super] Freak represents an unprecedented technical achievement, especially for an hours-minutes-seconds watch. It further cements the brand’s position as one of the most innovative and revolutionary watchmakers in the world. Just as the original Freak of 2001 broke conventional boundaries of displaying time and ushered in a revolution of silicon components, the [Super] Freak will hopefully set the stage for the brand’s next 25 years of horological innovation and revolution.