The first Freak was introduced by Ulysse Nardin in 2001. A watch with no dial, no traditional hands and no crown. A unique and non-conventional watch that would require for the bezel to be rotated to set the time through a special system and for the watch to be wound the user would do so by using a device located on the case back. Using a one-hour rotating carrousel tourbillon the time would be indicated in a very non-traditional way. At Watches & Wonders 2023, Ulysse Nardin has released another iteration of the legend named Freak ONE.
The Freak ONE is inspired by the Freak of 2001 and features its three signature characteristics: no dial, no hands, and no crown. It is also the first Freak with an integrated rubber strap, made of 30% recycled rubber from production waste.
The Freak ONE is cased in a 44 mm black DLC-coated titanium case with satin finish and equipped with a 5N rose gold bezel, and a black titanium case back with sapphire display. The watch is delivered on a black rubber ‘ballistic’ textured strap equipped with a black DLC-coated titanium deployant buckle.
In the span of 22 years Ulysse Nardin has presented eight different iterations of the Freak including the Freak Vision and the Freak X. The new Freak ONE still features the unconventional time-setting system that is operated via the bezel. It is activated when the locker at 6 o’clock is lifted, releasing the setting system. Turning the bezel rotates the entire movement, which doubles as the watch’s hands. Pushing the locker back down fixes the bezel in place so the time-setting system cannot be disturbed.
On the dial side a barrel cover sits underneath the movement and doubles as the rotating hour disc. It
makes a full rotation once every 12 hours, indicating the hour via a V-shaped pointer that is
filled with SuperLumiNova. Meanwhile the minutes are indicated by a minute bridge that carries the entire gear train, an oversized silicon oscillator and an orbital 60-minute flying carrousel tourbillon. The escapement is treated with Ulysse Nardin’s patented DIAMonSIL coating.
The Ulysse Nardin Freak ONE is powered by the in-house calibre UN-240 that gets wound through a patented Grinder winding system has been designed to capture energy with even the smallest of wrist movements. Its rotor is connected to a frame carrying four blades, which gives the system twice the angular stroke, a bit like a bicycle fitted with four pedals instead of two. This makes it twice as efficient as typical winding systems and the movement provides a power reserve of 72 hours when fully wound.
On the wrist, the Ulysse Nardin Freak ONE wears true to its size and with incredible wrist presence. The Freak ONE continues to perpetuate the legacy of the first Freak released in 2001 with incredible looks and advanced horological techniques.
Sticker Price $68,600 USD. For more info on Ulysse Nardin click here.
