Ulysse Nardin Freak X watch
For a long time, I have a soft spot for Ulysses Nardin’s Freak hand expression. Although some versions of the company are confusing, at least for me, “Freak” has always been complex and ideal. The idea of having the entire movement act as a minute hand and rotate around the dial is really cool. Unfortunately, the complexity of freaks and their movements also means that they are expensive watches. Fortunately, in 2019, Ulysses Nardin lowered the entry barrier for its Freak watches through the most affordable Freak watches. What you see here is the new Ulysse Nardin Freak X watch.
Technical index
Brand: Ulysses Nardin
Model: Freak X
Size: 43mm
Water resistance: 50 meters
Case material: titanium, carbon fiber, rose gold
Crystal / Lens: Sapphire
Movement: Caliber UN-230
Frequency: 3 Hz
Power reserve: 72 hours
Strap / Bracelet: Alligator leather or rubber strap
The industry seems to finally realize that they cannot maintain the annual price increase and expects enthusiasts and collectors to continue to come back. The market is only willing to bear so much. In addition, keeping a reasonable price can not only help the brand attract fans and collectors, but also introduce it to a wider and even younger group. This helps explain the background of Freak X (the cheapest Freak watch by far) launched by Ulysses Nardin.
To keep prices low, Ulysse Nardin Freak X offers titanium and carbon fiber. For those who want to shine, there are also rose gold models. Carbonium is Ulysses Nardin’s new material. It is a composite material made of aviation-grade carbon fiber, which looks like fake carbon. The case size of the new Freak X watch is 43mm, which makes it slightly smaller than the usual 45mm of other Freak watches. Therefore, it is easier to wear on the wrist in terms of price and wear resistance.
Most importantly, Ulysse Nardin Freak X is more complicated than other Freak models. Although most Freak watches are adjusted using the bezel, Ulysse Nardin Freak X has a traditional crown. The new self-winding movement UN-230 is in Ulysse Nardin Freak X. The minute hand still doubles the movement, but most of the wheels are hidden. However, UN-230 does carry a lightweight silicon balance wheel with a nickel flying hammer and a stable micro blade, as we saw when we saw it with our own eyes last year. UN-230 beats at a frequency of 3Hz and has a power reserve of 72 hours, which is actually much shorter than other Freak watches.
Although the new Freak X lacks the visual effects of other Freak watches, it maintains the concept of a watch. This is a very compelling work for enthusiasts who are more interesting than ordinary Rolex watches in this price range. Patek Philippe Nautilus or AP Royal Oak.
Highlight Ulysse Nadine’s Freak Blue Phantom
As a watchmaker, Ulysse Nardin has been committed to breaking the boundaries of high-end watches by introducing innovative online cheap watch complexity and avant-garde design. Taking the Ulysse Nardin Freak series, which debuted in 2001 as an example, the watch continues to retain attractive watches, keeping the traditional winding crown, hands and dial intact. Elysse Nardin’s Ulysse Nardin Freak Blue Phantom is a particularly attractive model today and is the subject of this article. Let us learn more about this unique high-end watch.
Ulysse Nardin’s revival
Although the company’s history can be traced back to 1846, the founder Ulysse Nardin founded his watch factory to produce precision marine precision astronomical watches, but thanks to the cooperation of boss Rolf W. Schnyder and innovative watchmaker Ludwig Oechslin, today Ulysse Nardin became possible in the mid-1980s. From the beginning, the partnership has focused on innovation and emerged from the field of luxury watches after the frustrating quartz crisis.
Ulysse Nardin supports extraordinary watches, such as Gastroness Galilei, San Marco, which was listed in the Guinness World Records in 1989, this is the first A minute repeating watch combined with Jaquemart, and the award-winning Freak watch equipped with a revolutionary 7-day tourbillon carousel.
Athens (Ulysse Nardin) Freak Blue Phantom 020-81
Unlike traditional watches, Ulysse Nardin Freak does not have a crown or hands, but relies on the movement itself to display time. The special version we are viewing is Ulysse Nardin Freak Blue Phantom 020-81, which came out in 2008.
The Freak Blue Phantom is larger than its predecessor and is equipped with an 18k white gold case. The official size is 44mm, but it is closer to 45mm when worn. Despite its large size, because of its thin case shape that can only measure 11 mm thick hair, Freak Blue Phantom can still be comfortably worn on the wrist.
In this case, you will notice an exaggerated knurled bezel, which is actually how you set up your watch, because Freak does not have a winding crown. Lifting the “BLUE PHANTOM” nameplate at six o’clock unlocks the bezel, allowing the wearer to turn the bezel. Turn the bezel to move the tourbillon on the turntable. The tourbillon (along with the white arrow tip) acts as a minute hand. Of course, the other larger arrow tip is the hour indicator.
Flip the “Freak Blue” phantom and you will see another bezel on the back of the watch as a watch winding device. Turning the tailgate allows the mainspring of the manual winding movement to even glimpse the mainspring through a small window. The internal movement of Ulysse Nardin Freak Blue Phantom operates at 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz) and has a 7-day power reserve.
It is also worth mentioning that thanks to the creativity of Ludwig Oaklin, Monster is the first mechanical watch to use silicon (silicon French) originally reserved for electronic-a material composition in its movement. Nowadays, silicon is widely used in high-end mechanical watchmaking industry, not only praised for its diamagnetism and temperature fluctuation resistance, but also because it does not require as much lubrication as other materials.
The matching navy crocodile leather strap is matched with the stunning Ulysse Nardin Freak Blue Phantom appearance, with a heavy 18k white gold double deployment buckle.
Obviously, Ulysse Nardin is a master of mechanical watchmaking. This Ulysse Nardin watch proudly advertises its “Freak” title. It does not follow traditional replica watches for sale specifications, but paves the way in its own way. This is not only an important work in the brand’s own history, but also for the entire luxury watch The world matters. The Ulysse Nardin Freak Blue Phantom watch has an extraordinary appearance, unlike any other high-end watch. Its movement has completely changed the watch design and is tailored for enthusiast watch enthusiasts.