Ulysse Nardin – FREAK S Watches of Switzerland Centenary Violet Edition

 

Ulysse Nardin – FREAK S Watches of Switzerland Centenary Titanium 45mm Violet Exclusive Edition 2024

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO   

 ULYSSE NARDIN FREAK S
WATCHES OF SWITZERLAND
CENTENARY EXCLUSIVE

Watches of Switzerland explores modern watchmaking savoirfaire with the Ulysse Nardin Freak S to mark 100 years of retailing the world’s most spectacular watches.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

Watches of Switzerland is delighted to continue its centenary series of limited-edition watches with the Ulysse Nardin Freak S Watches of Switzerland Centenary Edition, a run of 10 pieces that celebrates one of the 21st century’s few watchmaking icons, the Freak.

A FREAK EVENT

Some backstory. Released in 2001, the Freak was exactly what its name suggested. It told the time, and yet it had no dial, no hands and no crown. Instead, its movement became its hands, and it was adjusted using a mechanism hidden in its bezel. As inventive as its design and funct ion were some of its components: the Freak was the first watch to use silicon in a watch movement. 

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

By the time of the watch’s release, the hightech material was common in electronics, but it was unproven in watchmaking, until Ulysse Nardin identified it had a number of significant advantages. It was anti-magnetic, anti-shock, largely resistant to extreme changes in temperature, and it was almost frictionless, too. On top of that, it was elastic and easily shaped, and it could be produced to very fine tolerances. This made it the perfect watchmaking material.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

Ulysse Nardin gave the original Freak a silicon escapement with a groundbreaking new design, kick-starting an era of advanced mechanical precision and reliability that in the 23 years since has seen silicon adopted by all manner of watch companies. But history will always show that Ulysse Nardin’s bizarre, ingenious, rule-breaking Freak was first.

PARTNERS IN TIME

Founded in 1924, Watches of Switzerland has always presented its customers with the finest selection of beautifully designed and engineered watches. Watches of Switzerland’s relationship with Ulysse Nardin goes back generations and so it was one of the first to recognise the vision and subsequent collectability of the first Freak of 2001. 

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

In its centenary year, the international luxury retailer has come together with the much-loved independent Swiss watch manufacture to produce the Ulysse Nardin Freak S Watches of Switzerland Centenary Edition, a spectacular iteration on the Freak S, the superlative execution of the contemporary Freak.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

Like the original Freak, this high horology piece has no dial, no hands and no crown. Instead, the time is relayed by the watch’s Calibre UN-251 Manufacture, an automatic flying carrousel movement that rotates on its own axis once every 60 minutes, so that a pointed, lume-coated section of the main bridge becomes the minutes hand.

A WATCHMAKING ODYSSEY

The Freak S debuted in 2022 and the sci-fi, spaceship-like form of its movement quickly became instantly recognisable to watchmaking cognoscenti. Beyond its memorable aesthetic, it boasted a series of technical advances: it had a double silicon oscillator, a double escapement in a high-tech, high-performance silicon and synthetic diamond composite called DiamonSil®, a vertical differential, and a new automatic winding system called Grinder® that was twice as efficient as a traditional winding system. 

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

The case also had a clever construction that meant it could be produced using a creative, often unexpected combination of materials.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

All of these qualities have been passed through into the Ulysse Nardin Freak S Watches of Switzerland Centenary Edition. Its 45mm case is cast in anthracite-PVD-coated titanium and then paired with a grey titanium bezel that’s released by a grey titanium locker at 6 o’clock so that it can be rotated to set the time. A matching anthracite PVD coating has been added to Calibre UN-251 Manufacture’s gear train.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

The watch is set on an anthracite-coloured “ballistic” rubber strap with a weave pattern that’s finished with violet stitching. And the case back offers a view into the movement through a sapphire crystal that sits in a grey titanium surround engraved with the words “Watches of Switzerland 1924-2024”.

CRYSTALIUM CLEAR

While these details are dramatic in their own right, the most visually arresting element of the Ulysse Nardin Freak S Watches of Switzerland Centenary Edition is the cryst alium plate that sits underneath its movement, a thrilling example of Ulysse Nardin’s modern savoir-faire and craft smanship.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

Crystalium is a form of crystallised ruthenium, an exceptionally rare metal believed to have a production 10 times less substantial than that of platinum. To achieve crystalium, ruthenium is submitted to a procedure that can last a few days, during which it’s grown by vaporisation on a subst rate. 

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

This creates an organic finish that can then be coloured with a PVD treatment: in this case, Watches of Switzerland and Ulysse Nardin have given it a whimsical, almost regal purple-violet hue, chosen for its unique variations of reflection ranging from blue to red that catch light in a special way. Because of the way they’re formed, no two crystalium plates are the same, making each of the 10 limited edition watches unique.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

The Ulysse Nardin Freak S Watches of Switzerland Centenary Edition is a spectacular achievement of high horology and a beautiful, landmark tribute to the Freak, to Ulysse Nardin’s wildly inventive watchmaking philosophy, and to the continuing spirit of collaboration that defines the partnership between Watches of Switzerland and Ulysse Nardin.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

    We are thrilled to collaborate with Ulysse Nardin on a limited-edition Freak S model as part of our centenary series. This partnership is testament to our commitment to offering the very best in watchmaking savoir-faire to our clients who have a true passion for niche brands. The expansion of our portfolio only opens new opportunities for our clients to experience exceptional precision and craftsmanship.” Craig Bolton, President of the Watches of Switzerland Group UK, and Europe.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO   

    We are proud and honored to celebrate the Centenary of our highly valued partner Watches of Switzerland with a very exclusive creation that pushes the boundaries of Haute Horlogerie in terms of design, pioneering technology, and unmatched craftsmanship. With no dial, no hands, and no crown, like the revolutionary Freak that changed the face of contemporary watchmaking in 2001, the Freak S is the most complicated time-only watch and the most complex Freak currently in production. Equipped with the patented and revolutionary Grinder technology, the Freak S is the only watch with a doubled silicium oscillators being powered by an automatic winding system. It also reveals the smallest mechanical differential ever created. This exceptional timepiece showcases Ulysse Nardin’s unparalleled craftsmanship with its rare Crystalium hour disc.” Matthieu Haverlan, Managing Direct or of Ulysse Nardin.

Ulysse Nardin will have a dedicated pop-up exhibition in the following London Watches of Switzerland showroom throughout Oct ober; 155 Regent Street, Batt ersea, Bishopsgate, Knightsbridge and Canary Wharf.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

The Ulysse Nardin Freak S Watches of Switzerland Centenary Edition is limited to 10 pieces and is only available through Watches of Switzerland, priced £ 143,870 (including VAT), CHF 155,000 (including VAT), USD 163,500 (before tax)..

---------------------------------------
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model:  FREAK S Watches of Switzerland Centenary Titanium 44mm Exclusive Edition

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

Reference: 2513-500LE-7A-WOS/3A  


CASE
    Material: Anthracite PVD titanium case and side parts
    Diameter: 45 mm
    Perceived height: 13.66 mm / Overall height 16.56 mm
    Grey titanium bezel and locker
    Anthracite PVD titanium open sapphire case back with “Watches of Switzerland 1924-2024” engraving
    Water-resistant to 30 meters
MOVEMENT
    Calibre UN-251 Manufacture
    Automatic movement
    Flying carrousel movement rotating around its own axis
    Two 20°-inclined oversize oscillators with silicon balance-wheel
    DiamonSil® escapements
    Vertical diff erential with ball bearings
    Grinder automatic winding syst em, blades technology
    Violet cryst alium hour disc, anthracite PVD gear train
    Number of parts: 373
    Number of jewels: 33
    Frequency: 2 x 2.5 Hz / Oscillations 2x 18’000 vph
FUNCTIONS
    Hours, minutes
STRAP
    Anthracite ballistic rubber strap with violet stitching
    Titanium folding buckle

🔰 Limited edition of 10 pieces

 MSRP 💰
    CHF 155'000 (including VAT)
    GBP 143'870 (including VAT)
    USD 163'500 (before tax)

  ---------------------------------
Press Release - 2024
----------------------------------

   -----------------------------------------------------
Ulysse Nardin SA
Marketing Department
Rue du Jardin 3
2400 Le Locle
Switzerland T :+4132 930 74 00
F :+4132 930 74 21
---------------------------------------------------
www.facebook.com - Ulysse Nardin
---------------------------------------------------------------------
www.Ulysse-Nardin.com