The unique engineering and design of these two models take the Freak concept to a new level, the lifeblood of Ulysse Nardin’s pioneering innovation pumping through each piece. Reflecting, respectively, the stoic polar ice floes and the majestic volcanos that regenerate the earth, they are an appetizing preview of the upcoming Ulysse Nardin novelties. Like Homer’s fearless hero, Ulysse Nardin has once again gone to Xtremes to visit the furthermost forces of nature with its two new Freak X timepieces. The FREAK X ICE in titanium and the FREAK X MAGMA in lava red carbon fibre and titanium black DLC will make you fear the cold and crave the burn.
Freak X Magma: A lava storm at the heart of the earth
Made from a seismic combination of ultra-light carbon fibre and red, marbled epoxy resin, each FREAK X MAGMA is unique. Stripped down to its essential components, it is ultra-light, scratch-resistant and streamlined. Volcanic, vigorous and virile, the combination of red and black is mesmerizing and energizing. Masculine, angular and lava red, Ulysse Nardin’s FREAK X MAGMA is a force of nature, a watch of style, action and elegance. With a red point-de-bride and a black leather strap – equipped with a folding clasp – it is evocative of obsidian volcanic rock and the lava flow at its origin; the combination of sandblasted and polished-effects on the bezel and a satiny smooth dial reflects a volcanic environment. The Superluminova applied on red colour allows the wearer to read the time even in the pitch of the night. The open case back of this boutique-only edition lays bare the UN-230 self-winding movement – a masterpiece of Ulysse Nardin’s legendary watchmaking
To embody this volatile life force, Ulysse Nardin is partnering with Carsten Peter, a nature photographer and storyteller of the Xtreme. His Xplosive images take the viewer to places most would never dare to go; over glaciers, into tornadoes and right up to the intense heat present around volcanoes. Carsten is an award-winning regular contributor to National Geographic Magazine specialized in capturing never-before-seen images of some of the most remote and dangerous places on the planet. Using innovative techniques, he pioneers himself, he brings toxic caverns, thermal caves and lava lakes to life before sharing them with the world. Photographer, filmmaker, biologist and adventurer, Carsten embodies the Ulysse Nardin spirit and the desire each one of us has within us to embark on our own Odyssey.
Freak X Ice: A journey into the extreme
Ice and fire join forces in this new incandescent FREAK X ICE model. Reminiscent of prehistoric glaciers, this fresh model will make your heartbeat wild hot and cold with the call to go insane as ice catches fire and burns. Never has there been a better time to release your inner Ulysses, embrace risk and chase your dreams with the FREAK X ICE as the perfect tool to accompany you into uncharted waters. The titanium alabaster watch case will give your winter lips a feverish touch. Inside the FREAK X ICE beats the UN-230 self-winding movement, visible through the open case-back. The sturdy, adjustable, white leather strap with rubber coating is equipped with a folding clasp while navy blue indexes, point-de-bride and Superluminova evoke the polar ice floes, making each watch a call to adventure on your wrist.
Carsten Peter – Photographer, filmmaker, biologist, adventurer.
Carsten Peter, a World Press Photo award winner and a regular contributor to National Geographic magazine, specializes in going to extremes: scuba diving in a glacier on Mont Blanc, crossing the Sahara on a camel, caving in Borneo. He is always living on the edge with his camera, searching for where nature is still pure and where his survival will depend on his wits and his skills as a technical climber, paraglider, caver, diver, and canyoneer.
He is enthusiastically obsessed with devising innovative photographic techniques to capture never-before-seen images from some of the scariest environments on the planet. His many adventures include braving toxic caverns and acid waterfalls to shoot within the deepest ice shafts on earth, rappelling into active volcanoes with turbulent lava lakes and superheated thermal caves, and breaking altitude records while flying his motorized paraglider.
In addition to his World Press award – for his coverage of tornadoes while stormchasing in the American West – he has received an Emmy Award for his videography from inside an active volcano in the South Pacific. Photographer, filmmaker, biologist and adventurer, Carsten embodies the Ulysse Nardin spirit and the desire each one of us has within us to embark on our own Odyssey.
About Ulysse Nardin – Manufacture of Freedom
Ulysse Nardin is the Pioneering Manufacture inspired by the sea and delivering innovative timepieces to free spirits.
Founded by Mr. Ulysse Nardin in 1846 and a proud member of the global luxury group Kering since November 2014, Ulysse Nardin has written some of the finest chapters in the history of Haute Horlogerie. The company’s earliest renown came from its links to the nautical world: its marine chronometers are among the most reliable ever made, still sought by collectors around the world. A pioneer of cutting-edge technologies and the innovative use of materials like silicium, the brand is one of the few with the in-house expertise to produce its own high-precision components and movements. This exceptional level of watchmaking excellence has earned Ulysse Nardin membership in the most exclusive circle of Swiss watchmaking, the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie. Today, from its sites in Le Locle and La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland, the brand’s continuing quest for horological perfection centres around five collections: The Marine, the Diver, the Classico, the Executive and the Freak. In 2020, Ulysse Nardin explores the Xtremes, bringing the X-factor to the core of its collections. www.ulysse-nardin.com
Ulysse Nardin Freak X “Ice & fire” Technical Specification and Price
References
- FREAK X MAGMA : 2303-270/MAGMA-BQ
- FREAK X ICE : 2303-270/00
Movement
- Caliber UN-230,
- Self-winding movement
Functions
- Flying carrousel movement rotating around its own axis
- Oversize central oscillator with large diameter
- 3 Hz Silicium balance wheel
- Index & bridges with Superluminova
Power reserve
- 72 hours
Case
- Titanium / Titanium with black DLC
- Titanium with white-finish matte coating
Diameter
- 43 mm
Case back
- Sapphire crystal
Water resistance
- 50 m
Strap
- “Volcanic rock” black leather strap, folding clasp, red point-de-bride
- Openworked white leather strap with rubber coating, folding clasp
- Dark blue inserts
World prices
- FREAK X MAGMA, Boutique Only – 27’000 EUR
- FREAK X ICE – 24’000 EUR
Ulysse Nardin Freak X “Ice & fire” & Carsten Peter Gallery
