Ulysse Nardin FREAK [S ENAMEL] in Blue & Red

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The Ulysse Nardin FREAK [S ENAMEL] stands as a thrilling evolution of the Freak lineage, asserting itself as a technical and artistic tour de force that challenges established watchmaking norms. Marked by bold enamel editions in vibrant turquoise blue and deep ruby red, this watch pushes the boundaries of haute horlogerie by marrying cutting-edge mechanics with the delicate mastery of artisanal métiers d’art.

The FREAK S dial presents an unconventional display that defies traditional watchmaking. Absent are the usual hands, indexes, or crown, replaced instead by a hand-crafted guilloché-flinqué enamel hour disc produced in-house at Donze Cadrans, Switzerland’s oldest enamelling workshop. This rotating disc, fashioned in 18-carat white gold alloyed with palladium, silver, and gold for thermal stability, endures the rigours of repeated kiln firings during enamelling without warping.

Engraved with a signature pattern designed to amplify the visual rhythm of the rotating carousel and its twin silicon oscillators, the enamel’s depth and vibrancy are achieved through multiple layers of precision-applied pigments, each fired at approximately 800°C and polished to reveal hypnotic luminosity. The dial is not a static canvas but a mechanical element, engineered with extraordinary tolerances and screw fittings to maintain structural integrity and consistent motion, embodying a harmonious blend of craft and innovation.

The FREAK [S ENAMEL] houses the Manufacture calibre UN-251, a pinnacle of technical innovation. This automatic movement is remarkable for its double oscillator with two oversized silicon balance wheels set at a 20-degree incline and coupled by the world’s smallest vertical differential constructed entirely with ball bearings. The differential, a historical invention repurposed here with unprecedented miniaturisation and precision engineering, averages the rates of the two oscillators, enhancing accuracy and stability. Seventeen ceramic ball bearings reduce friction across the energy chain, including a rare double-level ball bearing system that exemplifies the calibre’s efficiency.

The movement operates at a low frequency of 2.5 Hz (18,000 vibrations per hour) and features two escapements treated with Ulysse Nardin’s proprietary DIAMonSIL technology, a silicon base with a diamond coating that significantly improves durability and resistance to shock and wear.

The movement’s architecture spans six planes, creating a dynamic, three-dimensional spectacle where 95 percent of components, including the gold minute bridge, oscillators, hour disc, bezel, and case back, are in perpetual motion. Powering the movement is the patented Grinder automatic winding system, a sophisticated mechanism that captures subtle wrist motions to provide a 72-hour power reserve.

Encasing this high-tech marvel is a 45 mm titanium case celebrated for its aerospace-grade strength combined with an incredibly light weight, approximately 45% less than steel. Titanium’s hypoallergenic composition and corrosion resistance make it an ideal housing for a watch that marries endurance with comfort. The entire case is crafted in titanium to ensure robustness without excess weight: main body, bezel, locking mechanism, and case back.

The sapphire crystal case back offers an unobstructed view of the complex mechanics at work, while the watch resists water to 30 metres, underscoring its everyday wearability despite its technical complexity. Completing the package are either an anthracite or white rubber ballistic-textured strap, both paired with titanium folding clasps that complement the watch’s avant-garde aesthetic and functional demands.

The FREAK [S ENAMEL] epitomises Ulysse Nardin’s commitment to radical innovation fused with artisanal heritage. It transcends the idea of a time-only watch by embodying a kinetic sculpture of horological mastery. From the enamelling technique and mechanical ingenuity to the case engineering, every element advances the art and science of watchmaking. Released in limited editions of 50 pieces per colour, it stands as a compelling statement piece that insists on the relentless pursuit of excellence and the celebration of both form and function in contemporary haute horlogerie.

Ulysse Nardin FREAK [S ENAMEL] Technical Specifications

References

• FREAK [S BLUE ENAMEL] 2513-500LE-3AE-TUR/3A – 50 pieces
• FREAK [S RED ENAMEL] 2513-500LE-6AE-RED/3A – 50 pieces
• 153’000 CHF (8.1% VAT incl.) / 163’300 EUR (21% VAT incl.) / 142’010 GBP (20% VAT incl.)

Movement

• Manufacture calibre UN-251
• Automatic movement
• Functions: Hours, minutes
• Flying carousel movement rotating around its own axis
• Two 20-degree-inclined oversized oscillators with silicon balance wheels
• DIAMonSIL escapements
• Vertical differential with ball bearings
• Grinder® automatic winding system, blades technology
• Frequency: 2 x 2.5 Hz, oscillations 2 x 18’000 vph
• Power reserve: 72 hours

Case

• Titanium case, locker, bezel, and case back with open sapphire
• Diameter: 45mm
• Perceived height 13.66 mm, overall height 16.65 mm
• 30 metres water resistance

Dial

• Blue / red enamel base dial

Strap & Buckle

• FREAK [S BLUE ENAMEL]: anthracite rubber ballistic strap with a titanium folding buckle
• FREAK [S RED ENAMEL]: white rubber ballistic strap with a titanium folding buckle