W&W 2023 Ulysse Nardin Freak One

The original was a milestone watch brimming with cutting-edge tech and avant-garde design, and changed perceptions of what a mechanical watch should look like – and how it should work. This was the rebel mindset. A what-the-Freak watch...

This year and after a series of memorable executions that have built the Freak’s unique profile, Ulysse Nardin is introducing the Freak ONE, a watch that returns the watchmaker’s icon to its roots.

The Freak ONE is a new watch inspired by the first Freak featuring its three signature characteristics: no dial, no hands and no crown.

It’s regulated by a silicon hairspring introduced in 2008 and an escapement treated with DIAMonSIL, a trailblazing synthetic diamond and silicon plasma surfacing treatment first applied to the Freak in 2007 that makes the movement abrasion and shock-resistant.

The Freak ONE also synthesises the visual dynamics of previous generations of the Freak, from the notched bezel of the original 2001 Freak, to the open gear train of the Freak Cruiser of 2013, to the legibility codes of the 2018 Freak Vision. The black DLC-coated titanium and rose gold detailing echoes recent Freak iterations, such as last year’s Freak S.

Interview with Jean - Christophe Sabatier

"You cannot overstate the impact of the Freak on Swiss watchmaking," says Jean-Christophe Sabatier, Ulysse Nardin’s Chief Product Officer. "The application of silicon in the escapement was a revolution. And its design was so disruptive: no dial, no hands, no crown. It was the industry’s first hyperwatch. To aficionados, in watchmaking there is only before the Freak – and after."

Jean-Christophe believes the Freak’s creators were ahead of their time. ‘Rolf Schnyder and Dr. Ludwig Oechslin were, and I say this with great affection, freaks,’ he says. ‘They were totally independent in their thinking and courageous to the point of madness. They took a huge gamble, knowing they might be outgunned by players with greater resources. They don’t get all the credit they deserve. They were the Lewis and Clark of 21st century watchmaking. Everyone since has followed the path they laid out.’

Last year, Ulysse Nardin regained its independence. ‘Today, the Freak embodies our mindset,’ says Jean-Christophe. ‘The Freak ONE is a fresh expression of who we are. It’s a highly technical watch, but it also has intense emotional value. When you set the time with the bezel, you experience something vital. This is what makes the Freak so special and why true collectors love it.’

Technical specifications

Ulysse Nardin Freak One

Reference: 2405-500-2A/3D

Case

• Material: Black DLC-coated titanium case with satin finish, rose gold 5N bezel
• Diameter: 44 mm
• Height: 12 mm
• Black titanium case back with sapphire insert
• Water-resistant to 30 meters

Movement

• Caliber UN-240 Manufacture
• Automatic movement
• Flying carrousel movement rotating around its own axis
• Silicon oversized oscillator and balance spring
• DIAMonSIL treatment to escapement
• Grinder® automatic winding system, blades technology
• Rose-gold bridges 5N with Super-LumiNova®
• Black engraved sunray pattern on the barrel cover
• Number of parts: 229
• Number of jewels: 15
• Frequency: 3 Hz, oscillations 21’600 V/H
• Power reserve of 72 hours

Functions/Indications

• Hours, minutes

Strap and buckle

• Black rubber ‘ballistic’ textured strap (2405-500-2A/3D)
• Black matt alligator leather strap (2405-500-2A/3C)
• Two-tone rubber strap (2405-500-2A/3A)
• Black DLC-coated titanium deployant buckle
• Rubber straps made of 30% recycled rubber from production waste by BIWI, Switzerland

MSRP

• CHF 65'000 (tax incl.), GBP 60'330 (tax incl.),
• EUR 69'600 (21% tax incl.), USD 68'600 (tax excl.)

For more information, please visit ulysse-nardin.com