Ulysse Nardin the Freak Collection FREAKS OUT!

Fasten your seat belts: the Freak is no longer a single timepiece. It’s an entire collection ! After the FREAK VISION launch at SIHH 2018 and the new FREAK VISION CORAL BAY, four new FREAK OUT timepieces, each armed with the in-house manual-wind caliber UN-205, are now joining the most maverick collection in Haute Horlogerie. All the game-changing Freak Out oddities are in place: no crown, dial or hands, a “flying carousel” tourbillon (the baguette movement rotates on its own axis) and super-light silicium technology.

Freak architecture replaces traditional anchor and anchor wheel with two silicium impulse wheels in the center. Both wheels have 18 engaging teeth, each activating an alternator that transmits its energy to the balance staff — first in one direction, then the other. Requiring no lubrication, the structure ensures that force is always released in the direction of the balance rotation, thereby minimizing friction. The silicium hair spring beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hertz) and is only very slightly disturbed. The amount of disturbance is reduced to a minimum thanks to the low lift angle.

Located between the lugs above the lower strap, a small lock is used to liberate the rotating bezel. This simply and precisely adjusts the hours and minutes when turned in either direction. The barrel, which offers a 7-day power reserve, is wound using the rear case back bezel mounted on ball bearings.

Unlike the earlier Freak Cruiser model in gold, the new FREAK OUT collection is forged from titanium, opening the Freak universe to a wider audience. Also new is the restyled case and bezel—borrowed from the Ulysse Nardin InnoVision 2 Concept Watch—and the matching bar tack loop stitchings on the sailcloth straps.