More than two decades since it released the first Freak, Ulysse Nardin celebrates its joyously unorthodox watch with the new Freak ONE.
Even now, 22 years on from its original release, the Freak is still a challenging concept. It’s also one of the most advanced examples of contemporary watchmaking. 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 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.
The Freak ONE also synthesizes 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.
The Freak ONE becomes Ulysse Nardin’s flagship watch and the company’s center of gravity as it defines its new independence.
The new model comes in a modular case with a diameter of 44mm and a height of 12mm. The multi-component case has a black DLC-coated titanium main body and a sapphire crystal display case back and an 18K 5N rose gold bezel with a sapphire insert.
Caliber UN-240, designed and produced in-house, gives life to the innovative model. The automatic movement with a 72-hour power reserve represents the up-to-date point of the Freak concept with its flying carrousel feature that rotates around its own axis. Combining advanced technology and traditional watchmaking, the 229-component movement features a silicon balance spring and oscillator, DIAMonSIL applied escapement, Grinder® style winding mechanism equipped with blades, black engraved barrel cap, SLN phosphorus applied bridges made of 18K 5N pink gold.
The references and features of the straps that will accompany the new model are as follows: black "ballistic" textured rubber strap (2405-500-2A/3D), black matte crocodile leather strap (2405-500-2A/3C), two-color rubber strap ( 2405-500-2A/3A). The straps, made of 30% recycled rubber obtained from production waste by BIWI, Switzerland, secure the model to the wrist with a black DLC-coated titanium folding clasp.
The global list prices determined for the model are as follows:
65'000 CHF (tax inclusive), 60'330 GBP (tax inclusive), 69'600 EUR (21% tax inclusive), 68'600 USD (tax excluded).
