A new release at Watches & Wonders, embodying 25 years of history and the finest developments under the Freak concept.
At the Watches & Wonders exhibition, Ulysse Nardin unveiled the Super Freak model - an updated 'freak' positioned as the most complex watch in the Time Only category.
Even if the design of the Freak model is not to your taste, you cannot deny that a quarter of a century ago, this alien completely redefined what mechanical watches could be. It lacks everything traditional watchmaking relies on: no dial, no hands, no winding crown. The focus is on the mechanism, which has been turned into a spectacular show.
It is also significant that the Freak was a pioneer in the use of silicon. Initially met with skepticism, today, silicon components are used in nearly every third luxury watch.
Over 25 years, the watch concept has continuously evolved. Following the original Freak model came material innovations like the Freak DIAMonSIL (2007) and InnoVision 1 (2007) and InnoVision 2 (2017). In 2019, the collection introduced a more accessible Freak X model, where the original concept was reimagined with the addition of a traditional winding crown.
Later, the Ulysse Nardin Freak S (2022) showcased a striking rocket-like construction on the dial, featuring two oscillators connected by a differential. Then came the Freak One (2023) with a more streamlined case, followed by the 2025 release of the UR-Freak, born from the collaboration between Ulysse Nardin and Urwerk.
The latest model can be seen as the culmination of 25 years of history. It incorporates 8 patented innovations, including a suspension system patent exclusive to the Super Freak.
The watch features a 44 mm case made of white gold. Time is still set by rotating the bezel, and the watch is wound by turning the case back. The bezel locking system has been refined to be smaller and more elegant. The watch's proportions are precise to a hundredth of a millimeter, so despite the complex mechanism, it appears quite compact. The nominal case thickness is 12 mm, while the actual thickness (including the crystal) is 16.54 mm.
The original Freak concept has been enhanced with a double tourbillon and a second hand with a gimbal drive. While adding a second indication to regular watches is straightforward, here, considering the entire 'freak' mechanism is in constant motion, it becomes a star-level challenge. When we say the whole mechanism is in constant motion, we are not exaggerating: only 13 of the 511 parts in this 'freak' remain stationary.
The model is powered by the caliber UN-252 - a new movement that took 4 years to develop. One of its main features is two floating tourbillons in titanium carriages, inclined at a 10-degree angle and rotating in opposite directions. Both tourbillons are mounted on a bridge serving as the minute indicator, with each making a full rotation every 60 seconds. The bridge, which also serves as the minute hand, consists of 327 parts and weighs only 3.5 grams. This is almost a third less than in the Freak S model.
The tourbillons are interconnected by a differential, just 5 mm in diameter - the smallest differential in the world. It comprises 69 components, including 8 ceramic bearings manufactured with micron precision. Since the differential and the second hand operate on separate, off-center axes, Ulysse Nardin developed and patented a compact 11-component gimbal system 4.8 mm in diameter to ensure stable energy transmission between them. Acting as an intermediary, the gimbal system receives energy from the differential and delivers it to the second indicator to ensure stable and precise operation, despite the constantly moving mechanism.
This complex construction is powered by the patented Grinder automatic winding system. There is no traditional central rotor. Instead, a system of ultra-thin blades is connected to the automatic winding sector. This configuration captures the slightest wrist movements and converts them into energy to power the mechanism, providing up to 3 days of power reserve.
The escapement's two assemblies are made with DIAMonSIL technology, involving silicon parts with a diamond coating to reduce wear on the components. Although the Super Freak is a pure product of the 21st century, more than 70% of the watch components are hand-finished using traditional techniques (polishing, sandblasting, etc.). Assembling a single model takes about 60 hours, followed by several days of testing.
The watch is offered on a gray rubber strap. The release is limited to 50 pieces. The estimated price of the model is CHF 320,000 or €348,100.