Ulysse Nardin has unveiled the [Super] Freak, a groundbreaking new creation marking both the Maison’s 180th anniversary and 25 years since the launch of the original Freak, the watch that redefined contemporary horology in 2001. Combining decades of research, pioneering technology and exceptional craftsmanship, the [Super] Freak represents the most advanced interpretation of the collection to date.
At the heart of the watch lies the entirely new in-house calibre UN-252, a highly complex movement composed of 511 components and developed over four years. Conceived as the ultimate concentration of the Freak collection’s innovations, it integrates the brand’s most emblematic mechanisms and patented technologies while introducing unprecedented complexity through a double tourbillon system and a dedicated seconds display.
The minute bridge alone comprises 327 components and carries two titanium flying tourbillons inclined at 10 degrees, rotating in opposite directions and completing one revolution every 60 seconds. Despite this complexity, the bridge weighs only 3.5 grams, making it significantly lighter than that of the Freak S.
One of the watch’s most significant innovations is its new patented gimbal system, enabling precise energy transmission between the differential and the cylindrical seconds indicator. Developed specifically for the [Super] Freak, the miniature gimbal measures just 4.8 mm and is engineered to micron-level tolerances. Ulysse Nardin also introduces the world’s smallest differential, measuring only 5 mm and composed of 69 components, ensuring synchronisation between the two tourbillons for enhanced stability and precision.
To power such an energy-intensive architecture, Ulysse Nardin relies on its patented Grinder® system, described as the most advanced automatic winding system ever developed. Designed to capture even the slightest wrist movement, the system uses four ultra-thin levers to dramatically improve winding efficiency, delivering a three-day power reserve despite the demands of the dual-tourbillon mechanism.
The [Super] Freak also continues Ulysse Nardin’s long-standing leadership in silicon technology. Since pioneering silicon components in watchmaking with the original Freak in 2001, the brand has continued refining the material for greater precision and durability. The new watch incorporates 10 silicon components, including balance wheels, hairsprings and DIAMonSIL® escapements, which combine silicon with a diamond coating to enhance resistance to friction and shock.
A further highlight is the use of transparent blue Nanosital® for the rotating hour disc. This advanced material, engineered through the controlled crystallisation of glass, offers exceptional transparency, hardness and durability while revealing the movement beneath. Its icy blue tone subtly references Ulysse Nardin’s maritime heritage while reinforcing the futuristic architecture of the watch.
Despite its high-tech character, the [Super] Freak remains deeply rooted in traditional craftsmanship. More than 70% of its components are hand-finished using artisanal techniques such as manual polishing, straight graining and sandblasting. Titanium, chosen for its lightweight properties and structural strength, adds further complexity to the finishing process due to its hardness and resistance to traditional tools.
Assembly takes place within Ulysse Nardin’s Haute Horlogerie Atelier in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, where only five specially trained watchmakers are qualified to assemble the [Super] Freak. Each watch is completed start-to-finish by a single watchmaker, requiring approximately 60 hours of hands-on assembly followed by five days of chronometric testing.
Encased in a newly designed 44 mm white-gold case with a slimmer bezel-locking system, the [Super] Freak preserves the unconventional spirit of the original Freak collection. Time is still adjusted via the bezel, while winding is performed through the caseback, maintaining the line’s radical approach to timekeeping.
The Ulysse Nardin [Super] Freak retails for SGD 516,300 including tax.
