The worlds of two of contemporary watchmaking’s most innovative independents, URWERK and Ulysse Nardin, intersect for the first time in a landmark collaboration. The result is the UR-FREAK, a limited edition of just 100 pieces that fuses the mechanical signatures of both Maisons into a single, fully integrated creation that pushes modern horology into bold new territory.
At the heart of this extraordinary watch is a radical fusion of ideas. Ulysse Nardin’s revolutionary Freak architecture, where the movement itself becomes the time-telling instrument, meets URWERK’s iconic wandering hour satellite display. This union gives birth to an entirely new in-house calibre that combines a three-hour rotating carousel with a satellite hour mechanism, redefining how time is displayed and experienced on the wrist.
More than 150 new components were developed specifically for this project, alongside a redesigned bezel and case construction. The result is a horological hybrid that remains unmistakably Freak in concept and unmistakably URWERK in execution.
Powering the UR-FREAK is the new UN-241 manufacture movement, an evolution of the award-winning Freak ONE calibre. It features a three-hour rotating carousel combined with URWERK’s wandering hour satellite display, a centrally mounted enlarged silicon oscillator, Ulysse Nardin’s DIAMonSil-coated escapement, and the ultra-efficient Grinder automatic winding system.
Despite its visual and mechanical complexity, the movement delivers a robust 90-hour power reserve. Dial and mechanism were conceived simultaneously, allowing the oversized silicon oscillator to take centre stage on the dial side as it rotates in harmony with the satellite system.
Design is approached without compromise. The watch is housed in a 44 mm sandblasted titanium case that echoes URWERK’s industrial aesthetic. Three fluted sections on the bezel and caseback, signature URWERK elements, add a sculptural dimension to the Freak’s rotating architecture. Electric yellow accents in Pantone 395 C energise the display and extend to the integrated rubber straps, creating a striking visual contrast.
True to the Freak lineage, the UR-FREAK has no crown. Time setting is achieved via the rotating bezel, secured by a locker at 6 o’clock engraved with the UR-FREAK inscription. Winding is performed through the caseback, which also houses the Grinder system. Despite its complex, sliding architecture, the watch maintains a water resistance of 30 m.
The UR-FREAK represents a rare moment in contemporary horology where two pioneering philosophies merge seamlessly. It stands as a powerful tribute to independent watchmaking, capturing the shared spirit, technical mastery, and creative audacity of two maisons that continue to challenge boundaries and redefine what mechanical timekeeping can be.
The URWERK × Ulysse Nardin UR-FREAK is limited to 100 pieces and is priced at SGD 174,400 including tax.
