BOUTIQUE
ULYSSE NARDIN
Freak Out
Four new Ulysse Nardin Freak Out timepieces
represent the next evolution of the
groundbreaking watch powered by the utterly
amazing UN-205 movement. Now being offered
in titanium, the next version of the original
masterpiece created by Dr. Ludwig Oechslin
under the leadership of Rolf Schnyder will have
a lower price point. This means that this icon
of watch ingenuity will be available to a wider
audience. Of course “lower” is relative and you’ll
still need to invest right around $45,000 to own
one. That said, the UN Freak is still a must have
for collectors who love the mechanics of haute
horology. Under the dial lies the power supply,
while the entire gear train perfoms a stately
circuit once every twelve hours.
All the same elements that make a Freak what
it is are here; no crown, dial or hands, and the
new take on a “flying carousel” type tourbillon.
Regulated by the amazing dual silicum (silicon)
wheel impulse escapement, the Freak was
the first to use the space age material as well
as being on the vanguard of watch brands
developing new types of escapements to
one-up the Swiss lever. Requiring no lubrication,
each eighteen-tooth wheel alternately transmits
its energy to the balance staff in the same
direction as the balance rotation.
Placed between the lugs above the lower
strap, a small lock is used to release the rotating
bezel used for adjusting the time, while another
ball-bearing-mounted bezel on the back is used
to wind the enormous mainspring that offers
up to a seven-day power reserve and takes up
almost the entire space under the dial.
IW RATING
Design: 8 (out of 10)
Simultaneously simple and complex
Innovation: 10
A watch ahead of its time and as amazing today
as when it was first released. A twin silicon
impulse wheel escapement controls a gear train
that is at once a carousel tourbillon as well as the
visible reference for the time plus a 7-day power
reserve with crownless adjustment and winding.
Finissage: 8
Well done on the few visible technical surfaces.
Legibility: 8
Hour and minute easy to read.
Rarity: 6
Great variety of references in an evolving
presentation of the type.
Value: 7
Moderate Initial depreciation well worth value of
long-term ownership.
Overall iW rating: 47 (out of 60)
28 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | WINTER 2019