Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The New Ulysse Nardin Freak ONE Navy Blue
With no dial, no hands and no crown, the Freak ONE pays tribute to its famous ancestor, while its navy blue hues reference UN’s historical maritime ties.
Introduced in 2001, Ulysse Nardin’s Freak watch turned many watchmaking conventions upside down. With no hands, no dial and no crown, the Freak was powered by an in-line movement pivoting on itself every 60 minutes to indicate the time. It was regulated by a dual direct escapement and introduced the watchmaking world to silicium (aka silicon). Following countless iterations over its 23-year lifespan, the Freak ONE introduced last year is a throwback to the first Freak watch designed and produced in the here and now. The result is one of the most attractive, well-proportioned and wearable editions of this horological legend. The latest Freak ONE Navy Blue plays with different materials and dons a navy blue rotating hour disc, a colour that recalls the brand’s historical maritime ties as a producer of marine chronometers.
The Freak ONE Navy Blue continues the trajectory established by the first Freak One in a black DLC-coated titanium case and a rose gold bezel, and the Freak ONE Ops with its military camouflage looks. Inspired by the first 2001 Freak, the 44mm case of the Freak ONE has no crown, creating a symmetrical wrist-friendly profile. Crafted in black, satin-polished DLC-coated titanium, the 30m water-resistant case is lightweight, and the black attenuates its size.
The wide, notched carbonium bezel with its marbled pattern is not just decorative and can be rotated to set the time. The bidirectional rotating bezel is unlocked by opening the Freak plaque at 6 o’clock, and time can be set forwards and backwards. A patented winding system on the caseback can be twisted counterclockwise to wind the movement manually.
Instead of a traditional dial, the Freak ONE indicates the time using the UN-240 manufacture movement. A blue chapter ring with white luminescent hour markers is suspended over the navy blue rotating disc bearing the hour indicator. Decorated with an engraved pleated texture, the navy blue disc covers the barrel. Occupying centre stage, the one-hour orbital carrousel tourbillon, with a silicon balance wheel and escapement, relays the minutes with its smaller luminescent pointer.
Powered by the UN-240, this automatic in-house movement features the brand’s proprietary Grinder winding rotor system, contributing to the robust 90-hour power reserve. The Freak ONE Navy Blue comes with a choice of two rubber straps: a black and blue “ballistic” rubber textured strap or a two-tone blue and grey one, secured with a black DLC-coated titanium and black ceramic deployant buckle. The price is CHF 63,300 (incl. VAT) or EUR 67,500 (incl. VAT).
More information at ulysse-nardin.com.
