Ulysse Nardin calls the Freak S its most complicated time-only watch. Now it gets an enamel dial for the first time, in turquoise blue or deep ruby red.
Ulysse Nardin introduces the Freak S Enamel, in two editions of 50 pieces each. The rotating hour disc is enamelled entirely in-house at Donzé Cadrans, the brand’s enamelling workshop in Le Locle, founded in 1972 and acquired by Ulysse Nardin in 2011.
Unlike a static dial, the disc keeps turning with the movement, so it is cast in an 18-carat white gold alloy that can survive repeated firings at about 800°C. Each colour takes three to four layers of hand-ground pigment, then an hour of hand-polishing to bring out its depth.
The 45mm titanium case keeps the original Freak’s rule: no dial, no crown, no hands, with the hour disc, bezel and case back all turning instead. Inside, calibre UN-251 carries two silicon balance wheels tilted at 20 degrees, joined by a vertical differential the brand calls the world’s smallest. Turning the case itself winds it, for 72 hours of reserve.
Dr Ludwig Oechslin conceived the first Freak in 2001 with no dial, no hands and no crown. Its rebellious spirit, Ulysse Nardin says, now carries enamel for the first time.
The Basics
Brand: Ulysse Nardin
Model: Freak S Enamel (Blue and Red editions)
Reference: 2513-500LE-3AE-TUR/3A (Blue); 2513-500LE-6AE-RED/3A (Red)
Diameter: 45mm
Thickness: 13.66mm perceived, 16.65mm overall
Case material: Titanium case, locking bezel and case back, open sapphire
Dial: No dial — hand-crafted Guilloché-Flinqué enamel rotating hour disc in 18-carat white gold; turquoise blue or deep ruby red
Water resistance: 30m
Strap: White rubber (Red edition) or anthracite rubber (Blue edition); titanium folding buckle
Limited edition: 50 pieces per colour
The Movement
Calibre: UN-251, automatic
Functions: Hours, minutes; flying carousel movement; vertical differential with ball bearings
Winding: Automatic, Grinder® system
Power reserve: 72 hours
Frequency: 2 x 2.5Hz (2 x 18,000 vph)
Jewels: 33
Images courtesy of Ulysse Nardin.