“The Freak is one of the ten watches that have revolutionized watchmaking over the course of the last twenty years” The New York Times.
Shock wave
The new high-tech watchmaking masterpiece developed by Ulysse Nardin is taking off, driven by a powerful solar wind. Ulysse Nardin looked to the brightest stars of the cosmos for inspiration for this new interpretation of the Freak. At first glance, the brand’s pioneering new watch resembles a space vessel with twin reactors, which will find its finest expression on the wrists of those who never doubt. This creation combining all the superlatives came into being thanks to the expertise of an integrated Manufacture; it represents the expression of contemporary luxury masterfully manifested in an avant-garde watchmaking design.
“ Like the heroes of Homer’s Odyssey who visited many unknown lands, we at Ulysse Nardin continue to explore all
possible roads offered by science to ensure constant improvement in the precision and functionality of
our time-keeping instruments.” Patrick Pruniaux, CEO of Ulysse Nardin
The first automatic double oscillator with a differential
Having made the choice to amaze the aficionados, the Manufacture’s developers
designed the brand’s first double oscillator with a differential with automatic winding,
made possible by the “Grinder” system, twice as efficient as a traditional winding
system.
The Freak S is the obvious technical extension of the Freak Vision: a new
mechanical
"Double trouble"
The Freak S’ inclined double oscillator is a premiere, the prime signature of new UN-251 Manufacture movement. Positioned on distinct planes as if on two launching pads, the two XXL silicium balance-wheels with inertia-blocks are linked by a differential, which draws the average of their rates. Assembled on two plans inclined at 20° one from another, they are linked by a bridge in rose gold in the form of a rocket’s wing. Siamese, in a rhythmic tango, they give the impression of two turboprops beating time at a frequency of 2.5 Hz.
Master of silicium technologies
After having been the first to use silicium in the very first Freak watch in 2001, here Ulysse Nardin is showcasing an innovative pioneering surface treatment, a combination of silicium and synthetic diamond: DiamonSIL (patented in 2009). The silicium components of the escapement of the Freak S have been coated with a layer of artificial diamond which optimizes its performance and its resistance to abrasion and to the several million impacts per year on the watch. This process is one of the major innovations introduced by the Manufacture in the last 20 years.
Master of blades
The “Grinder” automatic winding system that already equipped the Freak Vision has now been
substantially improved. The Grinder is twice as efficient as a classical automatic winding system
since its energy transmission is twice as efficient as that of existing systems. It uses the smallest
of wrist movements. The oscillating weight is connected to a frame carrying four blades, which
gives the self-winding system twice the angular stroke. A flexible guiding mechanism considerably
limits friction.
Interstellar vessel
If it seems that the stars are randomly distributed in the cosmos, the subtle decoration of the deep black
mineral decorative plate, sparkling with golden particles, has not been left “to chance” … The glittering effect
of the aventurine that decorates the movement, gives the Freak S the sparkle of a starry night. Legend
surrounding aventurine recounts that in the thirteenth century, on the island of Murano in Venice, home to
the famous glass-makers, a craftsman accidentally, or “par aventure”, let some copper filings fall into a pot
of molten glass, so creating aventurine glass, or “avventurina” in Italian, meaning “by chance”.
