The Ulysse Nardin Freak, the Watch that Broke all Conventions

The other day, we went to Switzerland to film one of the most important and influential watchmakers of the last few decades. It’s not a name that is on everyone’s tongue, but it actually should. Let’s look at this objectively… A watchmaker who created the most complex astronomical watches in times when computer-aided designing and calculations were not widely available. A watchmaker who created a watch that is like no other, that indicates hours with a main spring barrel that rotates once per 12 hours and the entire calibre is an in-line movement that hovers over the main spring barrel and rotates once every hour. However, it is important to mention that the latter was the very first watch to use silicon in its escapement. I’m talking about Ludwig Oechslin and the Ulysse Nardin Freak.

Now I could go on about Ulysse Nardin’s Trilogy of Time, however, we didn’t go to film those masterpieces. Yes, these three watches (hence the trilogy) were incredibly complex to create, not just the calculations of what to display on the dial but also machining the parts with such precision that it all worked correctly. We went to see Ludwig Oechslin in his own workshop (read garage), where he still creates and makes prototypes. Mr Oechslin has a creative mind like few, and he is an absolute non-conformist. And that’s the only reason why there’s a watch that has influenced what we’re wearing on our wrists today: the Ulysse Nardin FREAK.

Although I must admit that I don’t like the looks of the first Freak; it’s too ‘gold’, too baroque, for my taste. But we all have to acknowledge what this watch has meant for the watch industry and that is a LOT! For a complete overview of the Freak, how it was created, how it has evolved and all the innovations it brought to watchmaking, have a read at this in-depth article.

To be clear, I learned about Ludwig Oechslin because of the MIH Watch (introduced in 2005) and later Ochs und Junior (as of 2009). It was later when I learned about the work Ludwig had done for Ulysse Nardin. It’s mind-boggling when you start digging into the work of Mr Oechslin as the number of inventions, the different approach to watchmaking, and the use of silicon were all far, very far, ahead of their time.

Now, the Freak. That’s one spectacular timepiece. As said, the main spring, inside the main spring barrel, rotates twice per 24 hours, so once every 12 hours, and serves as the hour hand. The rest of the movement, meaning the entire gear train and escapement, hovers over the main spring barrel and rotates once per hour. And yes, it serves as the hour hand. Making this work was not an easy feat, and silicon was necessary to achieve the level of precision necessary for the two escape wheels.

Although I’m not a fan of the looks of the first Freak, later Freaks looked much better. Take, for instance, the last Freak ONE that comes in a DLC-coated titanium case with a carbon bezel (and some more innovations!).

I don’t want to repeat everything that’s said in our video; however, if you’re interested in hearing one of the most important pioneers in watchmaking talk about what is probably one of the most important watches in the history of watchmaking, please have a look. Hope you enjoy the video!