The Ulysse Nardin Freak [X] GoldUlysse NardinUlysse Nardin, founded in 1846, earned its reputation as one of the world’s premier makers of marine chronometers, supplying precision timekeepers to navies and merchant fleets well into the second half of the 20th century. By the late 1970s, however, the company was struggling financially.That changed in 1983 when Swiss entrepreneur Rolf W. Schnyder acquired the brand and transformed it into one of Switzerland’s most innovative watchmakers.Schnyder's defining achievement came in 2001 with the launch of the Freak. Conceived by acclaimed watchmaker Ludwig Oechslin, the timepiece broke nearly every convention of traditional watchmaking. It featured no hands, no dial and no crown, while introducing groundbreaking mechanics and pioneering the use of silicon in watchmaking. The Freak not only redefined contemporary haute horlogerie but also restored Ulysse Nardin’s reputation as a technical innovator.Following Schnyder’s death in 2011, the company was acquired by the Sowind Group. Under Chief Executive Officer Patrick Pruniaux, the Freak has become the centerpiece of the brand’s collection.The Ulysse Nardin Freak [X] GrayUlysse NardinIn 2019, Ulysse Nardin broadened the line with the Freak [X], a more compact, versatile interpretation equipped with a conventional crown. Designed for everyday wear, it retained the Freak’s signature flying carousel architecture, in which the movement itself displays the time.The Ulysse Nardin Reengineered Freak [X]As Ulysse Nardin celebrates both its 180th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the Freak, the company unveiled a thoroughly reengineered Freak [X], the result of more than two years of development.MORE FOR YOUThe brand describes the new model as more compact, more technically advanced and more refined in its finishing, with improvements to its design, architecture and engineering that make it even better suited for daily wear.At the heart of every Freak is its distinctive flying carousel architecture. The rotating carousel completes one revolution every 60 minutes to indicate the minutes, while the hours are displayed by a pointer mounted on a rotating disc. The mechanism is considered “flying” because it operates without an upper bridge, leaving the movement fully suspended and unobstructed to create exceptional visual depth.The New UN-232 CaliberThe most significant advancement is the introduction of the new UN-232 manufacture caliber.More compact than its predecessor, the movement allows the watch to be housed in a redesigned 41 mm case, down from 43 mm, topped with a new box-shaped sapphire crystal.Beyond its reduced dimensions, the caliber features a more modular architecture that enables compatibility with a broader range of métiers d’art hour discs.The Ulysse Nardin Freak [X] in Blue and GrayUlysse NardinAlready incorporating 35 patents developed for the Freak collection, the UN-232 adds five new patents, including the DIAMonSIL escapement, which Ulysse Nardin says improves precision, efficiency and durability.The movement also features an oversized silicon balance wheel and silicon hairspring manufactured at SIGATEC, Ulysse Nardin’s silicon production facility. Three additional micro-engineering systems are designed to reduce friction and mechanical noise throughout the regulating organ.Manufactured in-house at Ulysse Nardin’s facility in La Chaux-de-Fonds and assembled by a single watchmaker, the caliber offers a 72-hour power reserve.A Smaller, Stronger CaseThe new Freak [X] also receives a redesigned case.Its diameter has been reduced from 43 mm to 41 mm, while case thickness decreases from 10.7 mm to 10.3 mm, or 13.6 mm including the domed sapphire crystal.The construction has also been reworked. Previous generations used a modular titanium case, while the new model features a monobloc case crafted from either 80% recycled steel or rose gold. According to the company, the new architecture improves structural rigidity while enhancing acoustic stability.Additional updates include a screw-down crown that increases water resistance to 100 meters.Ulysse Nardin says the movement, case and bracelet are finished to haute horlogerie standards, combining satin-brushed, polished and hand-finished surfaces.The new Freak [X] is offered in three versions: a model in recycled steel with a gray sandblasted hour disc paired with a light brown calfskin strap; a blue edition featuring a recycled steel case, blue gradient satin-brushed hour disc and a new integrated steel bracelet; and a rose gold version with a black sandblasted hour disc and black alligator strap.